BREAKING NEWS: Council committee recommends Vreeland for Planning Board, Jennings for Design Review board
BAR HARBOR, July 12, 2024 - The appointments committee of the Town Council, consisting of Earl Brechlin, Maya Caines and Kyle Shank has nominated Diane Vreeland for a two-year term on the Planning Board and Chamber President Bo Jennings for a spot on the Design Review Committee.
The full Town Council will vote on the nominations Tuesday night.
The full slate of nominations is as follows:
A. Appeals Board 1. Claire Fox
B. Board of Assessment Review 1. Charles Saul 2. Kevin Knopp
C. Design Review Board 1. Pancho Cole 2. Bo Jennings
D. Harbor Committee 1. Jeff Miller 2. Larry Nuesslein 3. Jamie Weir 4. Jon Carter
E. Housing Authority 1. Cindy Flye, Tenant Commissioner, 5-year term 2. Christine Witham, Community Member at Large, 5-year term 3. Janet Hamel, Community Member at Large, 3-year term
F. Marine Resources Committee 1. John Avila 2. Matt Gerald
G. Parks & Recreation Committee 1. John Kelly 2. Greg Veilleux
H. Planning Board 1. Ruth Eveland 2. Guy Dunphey 3. Teresa Wagner 4. Diane Vreeland, 2-year term
The QSJ reported this week that Jennings applied for nine seats on various committees and boards after he ran unsuccessfully for Town Council in 2023 and the Warrant Committee this June.
The QSJ also reported that Jennings failed to report accurately the Chamber’s reason for joining the Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods, the tourism business owners who are suing the town over the cap on cruise ship passenger visitation.
Vreeland is an outspoken citizen who has publicly questioned recent development projects and ordinances which she fears could cause environmental harm, especially in the Town Hill section of town.
If she is confirmed by the full council, that is bound to shift the center of gravity on the all-powerful Planning Board, which has favored development for at least a decade. The recommendations committee also nominated Guy Dunphey and Teresa Wagner, each of whom has voiced skepticism over either cruise ship policies or various development proposals.
But the nominations are not a fait accompli. The council, under chair Val Peacock, has overturned at least one important recommendations committee nomination.