Articles/Publications

The Only Dumb Question…
By Stephen F. DeFeo, Jr.

New members are often apprehensive about their role on the planning board. When I was appointed to my city's planning board, there were no seminars, classes, or internet sites available to prepare me for my first meeting, not to mention my first public hearing. There was no training period. It was baptism by fire.

Based on several years' experience as a member and chair, let me offer the following words of advice to new members.

  1. Ask questions. The first question you need to ask is of yourself — do you have time to commit to the board? Your ability to attend meetings is important. However, it is paramount that a board member commits time to prepare for meetings. Once appointed, don't be reluctant to ask questions of other board members and the planning staff. The staff is there to assist and advise the board. At your board's public meetings, ask questions. Other board members, or citizens in attendance, may have the same question in the back of their mind. The old adage "the only dumb question is the one not asked" is true. A new board member will not (and should not) be chastised for asking basic questions to understand the issue before the board.
  2. Be prepared. Preparation in advance of the meeting will make you a more effective board member, better suited to serve your community. It is not fair to the applicant, fellow board members, or the community you were sworn to serve to enter the meeting unprepared. Open the plans and read the documents relating to items on the agenda before the meeting. Know what the agenda items entail and what action the board is expected to take. But don't worry about being an expert or an authority on the issues before the board.
  3. Avoid Conflicts of Interest. Inevitably, during your tenure on the planning board there will be an occasion when your employer, your attorney, a family member, the builder who constructed your home, or some other person you have a close relationship to appears before you. Seek advice from your planning staff or your board's legal counsel if you are not sure whether a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, may exist. You may need to avoid participating in any action that has even the appearance of conflicting interest.
  4. Know the Law. Planning board members are sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States, their state constitution, federal and state statutes, and the ordinances of their community. This means that decisions must be based upon legal considerations. Decisions made by the planning board that are inconsistent with the law or are made arbitrarily are never in the best interest of the community.

Published in the Planning Commissioners Journal, Summer 2000