Oxford Township officials wouldn’t mind seeing a village resident serving on the planning commission, but they would prefer it not be a member of the village council.
That’s why officials last week voted 6-1 to reject the appointment of Councilman Tony Albensi to a three-year term on the commission.
‘It just doesn’t sit right,? said township Trustee Sue Bellairs, noting she’s opposed to having two elected officials serve on the seven-member commission.
In accordance with state law, one township board member already serves on the planning commission.
Supervisor Bill Dunn recommended Albensi’s appointment based on what he’s observed from attending village council meetings.
‘Mr. Albensi is always prepared,? he said. ‘He has common sense and I think he would be a wonderful addition to the planning commission.?
Dunn noted the township and village have a ‘symbiotic relationship? so it’s only natural to have someone from the village serve on the township planning commission.
‘I do want someone from the village, no matter what, because they’re a big part of this township,? he said. ‘We need each other. The reason people come to the township is because of the wonderful downtown that we have and I want to see that prosper. I think that we all have to be on the same page.?
Trustee Melvin ‘Buck? Cryderman voted no because of his concern over the potential conflicts of being both a village councilman and a township planning commissioner.
‘I think it’s a wonderful idea to have a village resident on this, and maybe even a village council (member), but is it going to become a case where he may be trying to serve two masters?? he said. ‘Why get in a position where we could have some problems??
Dunn said he checked with the township attorney and there are no conflicts between the two positions.
Bellairs indicated she would still rather see a village resident appointed as opposed to a village official.
Bellairs made it clear her decision was nothing against Albensi. ‘I like Mr. Albensi. I’ve worked with him on committees before.?
Dunn plans to continue looking for a village resident to fill the seat that’s agreeable to the township board.
Under state law, planning commissioners are appointed by the supervisor with the township board’s approval. The board cannot approve anyone not appointed by the supervisor.
Until Dunn can find someone to appoint, Planning Commissioner George Black will continue to serve.
Black, who’s been on the commission for more than 30 years, told the board he would like to be appointed to another three-year term.
‘I know the planning commission inside and out,? he said.
Black believes his experience and training would be an asset to the commission as it faces future challenges.
‘I think coming up in the next two years we are going to see a lot of innovative ideas coming before the Oxford Township Planning Commission ? things which we have never thought of before,? he said.
But Dunn indicated he does not wish to reappoint Black because right now three of the commission’s seven members live in the northern end of the township, which is divided by the east-west line formed by Ray and Granger roads.
‘I would estimate probably 10 percent of the (township’s) people live in that area and they’re getting 42 percent representation on the planning commission,? he said.
The supervisor explained that he tries to keep the commission’s makeup representative of the entire township.
‘I like to spread it around,? Dunn said. ‘I wouldn’t want everybody to be from Red Barn or everybody from Lakes of Indianwood.?
Both are subdivisions in the township.
Dunn noted the decision wasn’t based on anything Black did or didn’t do.
‘He’s done a wonderful job,? he said. ‘This had nothing to do with his performance. It just came down to numbers.?
‘I apologize to George for the decision I have to make. These decisions are not easy to make. They’re just terrible. It’s the worst part of my job,? the supervisor noted.
Township officials approved Dunn’s reappointment of planning commissioners Kallie Roesner and Tom Berger to three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
Village residents interested in applying for a seat on the township planning commission are encouraged to contact Supervisor Dunn at (248) 628-9787 Ext. 109 or via e-mail at ranger810@yahoo.com.