Commission Must
Defend Its Plan

I feel some things need to be said about recent accusations against the Royalton Planning Commission and some of its members relating to Times and Seasons.

Debbie Johnson has made some very personal accusations against Mr. Hobart. This has happened before and is getting more vindictive and personal, culminating in a shouting match at a recent meeting. To accuse a nine-member town board of any sort of being anti-religious is offensive and uncalled for. The project in question has no connection, or public support from any religious institution. If it were, it would be viewed with the same rules and regulations governing all of our decisions.

It is the main job of the RPC to "defend and interpret" the town plan. The RPC unanimously believes that the Town Plan does not allow this project. Some members believe that a project of this type in the proper scale may be a good thing. The plan says what it says, and we are not in the position of bending the rules to fit a personal agenda. In this age of litigation, we cannot guess what the town meant; we can only read what it says.

The Act 250 environmental board is set up in a court setting, requiring filed testimony, witness examination and cross-examination. You must have legal representation to make a case. Remember, we are volunteers, and cannot be expected to know the legal ins and outs of such a process. Some selectmen believe we will prevail without legal representation. This is like not showing up to a criminal trial because you are sure the court will figure out you are innocent.

Some may wonder why we are taking such a strong stand. It is because this selectboard won’t. They have forced the RPC into this position. They are the elected officials, they are bound to support the Town Plan, just as the RPC is; they should be doing this work. The town voted for this plan, yet when it does not fit the board's agenda the board will not support it. I believe it is time to press this selectboard with a question of support of the Town Plan. We need selectpersons that will support the plans and ordinances that are passed, regardless of the political implications.

Meanwhile, we have lost a major employer in town. Applied Research had hoped to expand in Royalton. They have made the decision to move to Randolph. This is a big loss to the town. I don’t think any business on Dairy Hill will replace this employment loss. Yet this is where we are forced to focus our energies.

I will hope that the voters of Royalton will remember this at town meeting, and elect individuals capable of working and communicating with all facets of town government for the best interest of the Royalton voters.

Jonathan Ranney

Royalton