Planning Board declines to appoint Jeffrey Adams as alternate after contested discussion

The Planning Board considered an application to appoint Jeffrey Adams as an alternate member. After a motion and second, multiple members raised concerns about Adams’ past conduct while serving as an alternate from 2012 to 2019, including claims that he repeatedly refused to fill in when asked, difficulty contacting him and a reluctance to use email or other technology.

Committee member Karen Robinson recounted prior instances in which Adams declined to serve when the board relied on alternates and said those events led the board previously to vote not to reinstate him. Another member said the practical result of appointing an alternate who lacks reliable contact information would be to tie the board up when coverage was needed.

One member announced an abstention citing insufficient personal knowledge; the recorded vote was 0 in favor, 4 against and 1 abstention, and the motion did not carry. The board did not appoint Jeffrey Adams.