Alternates appointed to Dunkirk Town Planning Board

Help is on the way for the Dunkirk Town Planning Board.

Rick Mackowiak and Ben Gloss were both appointed as alternates to the Dunkirk Planning Board at a recent meeting of the Dunkirk Town Board.

Town Supervisor Juan Pagan and Deputy Supervisor Priscilla Penfold recently interviewed Mackowiak and Gloss.

"I think it's kind of uplifting that we have people that were interested in doing this," Penfold said. "It's been very hard to find people that were interested. They both interviewed very well."

Town Board member Jay Bishop was not present for the interviews, and as a result, he initially objected to approving the appointments.

"I haven't had a chance to interview them," Bishop said. "I just would be more comfortable if I knew who they were."

"Part of it was that we really need people. We couldn't wait a lot longer to get the interview process underway," Penfold explained. She noted a recent Planning Board meeting was unable to act on a presentation from out-of-town guests because the board did not have a quorum.

After further discussion, the Town Board moved forward with the appointment of both members.

"We have a lot of projects coming up," said Town Board member Jean Crane. "I think we need to move on it."

Bishop conceded, "I trust your judgment."

The members will now undergo training and will eventually be able to serve alongside the current Planning Board members Paul Bowers, Carl Brandt, Jordan Cooper, Robert Price, and Chairperson Shari Miller in the event of an absence.