The Woodstock Town Board’s annual organizational meeting went mostly without incident, except in the cases of the appointments of Gordon Wemp as ZBA chair, Erin Moran as Woodstock Environmental Commission (WEC) chair, Rod Futerfas as town attorney, and Nan Stolzenburg as a planning advisor
Councilmember Bennet Ratcliff objected to all four.
When talking about being the ZBA chair, and he’s done this with glee,” Ratcliff said about Wemp. “And I just think that he’s done it in fact without provocation. I believe his conduct is inappropriate, and it’s a violation of Section 2.72 of the employment practices compliance handbook of the Town of Woodstock.”
That section addresses harassment (“creating a hostile environment against another employee, elected official, resident of the town, supplier, visitor, or any other person, whether on or off town premises”).
Supervisor Bill McKenna said there was an email complaining about Wemp’s alleged behavior, but no official charge.
“I filed the official complaint,” spoke up Marcel Nagele. “Just saying. It went to every board member. And after the first of the year, I sent it to [councilmember] Anula [Courtis]. A detailed complaint.”
Ratcliff moved to table Wemp’s reappointment.
“There was an opinion email that came out,” Courtis said. “I didn’t see any formal filing of anything with any of the committees or commissions. But I did read that opinion.”
Nagele declined after the meeting to divulge the details of the complaint until the town board acts on Wemp’s appointment. He wants to give the board an opportunity to decline to appoint Wemp
Ratcliff next objected to the appointment of Erin Moran as Woodstock Environmental Commission chair.
“While a member of the WEC, Erin Moran personally conducted inappropriate investigations by telephone, text and social media into the life and financial background and death of Melissa Bonney, my children’s mother,” Ratcliff said. “Erin’s conduct is inappropriate, and it violates section 2.72 of the employment practices compliance handbook the Town of Woodstock. Her curiosity and questioning of Melissa’s brother and sister and close family friends has caused emotional distress to Melissa’s family, friends and my children, as Erin forced them to re-live the sad events of their mother’s accidental death in a traffic accident. “I’ll be voting no, and I urge you to vote the same.”
Ratcliff’s ex-wife Bonney was killed in 2014 by an out-of-control car when she was pinned in a parking lot.
Moran’s appointment was tabled for further discussion.
Ratcliff objected to the reappointment of Rod Futerfas as the town’s attorney.
“On numerous occasions including the mass-gathering permit signed by the supervisor and the building permit for the 10 Church Road dump remediation, the town attorney’s legal advice has cost the taxpayers of Woodstock and placed the town in a financial jeopardy,” Ratcliff said. “I’ve lost confidence in Rod Futerfas’ ability to represent the Town of Woodstock on legal matters. I will be voting no.”
Futerfas’ appointment carried, 3-1. Councilmember Maria-Elena Conte was absent.
Finally, Ratcliff objected to appointing Nan Stolzenburg as a planning advisor. His objection failed.
Councilmember Laura Ricci noted Stolzenburg has been the town’s consultant for proposed changes to promote affordable housing. “Nan with the work on housing has totally crawled through our zoning code. She’s been to the planning board on several occasions, so she’s become a very well-known and respected entity in town,” Ricci said.
Two additional changes Ratcliff suggested were adopted. An item will be placed on the agenda within 30 days If two town-board members request it. And in a compromise, up to eight people will be allowed to speak for up to three minutes each at Public Be Heard.
“I love compromise,” McKenna said after both changes received unanimous approval.
Ratcliff said he looks forward to working with the town-board members over the coming year. “My priority will be to convince everyone here that we need to remove all of the contaminated debris from the Shady dump,” he said.
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