Sam Morris’ unexpected departure as Boothbay’s planning board chairman in December is causing uncertainty in the new year. So far, only member William Wright, who was appointed in October 2019, has shown interest in assuming the chairmanship. During a Feb. 1 workshop to elect new officers, members Robbie Ham, Peggy Kotin, Bruce Bowler and alternate Dimsie McBride indicated they had no interest in serving as chairman or vice-chairman.

Members tabled electing new officers until the next meeting.

Further complicating the board’s operation is that Bowler, a Bigelow Laboratory research assistant, will be at sea for several weeks on a research project. His absence creates a possible quorum problem.  The board has two alternates, one appointed in December. Selectmen appointed Micheal Leighton to fill Morris’ unexpired term. Leighton has not attended January board meetings or workshops.

This led to Selectman Chuck Cunningham proposing a solution to the board’s chairmanship vacancy and manpower problem. He asked former selectman and planning board chairman Kristina Ford if she would be interested in a temporary appointment. Ford served one term from 2018 to 2021 as a selectman. From 2003 to 2007, she served on the planning board with three years as chairman. During the workshop, Ford explained her profession was as a city planner and educator. She has a Ph.D. in regional and urban planning. Ford worked as a city planner for New Orleans before moving to Boothbay. She also taught land use planning and public policy at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School and Bowdoin College. 

Following the meeting, Ford contacted Cunningham and told him she wasn't a good fit with this board. “I don't think they liked the idea of me coming in and serving as a temporary chairman,” she said. Ford also thought she and the board had contrary short term goals and visions. “I'm really not interested in working on a set of new by-laws which define the roles of chairman and vice-chairman. That is definitely the direction the board is focused on and I'm more interested in working in areas moving the town forward and betterment of the community through planning.”

Town Manager Dan Bryer is not sure how the planning board’s dilemma will end. “We need to contact our new member to see if he’s still interested. After that, I’m not sure what will happen,” Bryer said. “I’m not sure if the selectmen will discuss this at their next meeting.”

The Boothbay Register’s efforts to contact Leighton were unsuccessful.

The planning board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 for its monthly meeting. Selectmen meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 via Zoom conference.

This article has been updated from its original posting.