This morning, I’m being sworn in as an alternate on the East Granby Planning & Zoning Commission. I’m eager to serve my community in this capacity as I’m interested in land use.
As is the case in many small towns, I was drafted into this position. Our Democratic Town Committee meeting went like this:
Chair: We need someone to serve as P&Z alternate. Ryan, how about you?
Me: Does this require campaigning? Can I lose this election?
Chair: No and no.
Me: I’ll accept.
Before getting sworn in, I decided to ask Westlaw what an alternate member of a planning and zoning commission does? Here’s what I found:
Alternate members must be electors and cannot be members of the zoning commission or the zoning board of appeals. The statute allows alternates to attend all meetings and executive sessions of the planning commission, but they should not participate in the discussion or decision of the application unless they are designated to participate on it instead of a regular member of the commission. 9 Conn. Prac., Land Use Law & Prac. § 10:2 (3d ed.)
So unless there is a vacancy or a conflict – I’ll be listening and learning.