The Rindge Planning Board is standing behind Planning Director Kirk Stenersen after receiving a petition signed by 69 residents demanding his removal Tuesday night.
The petitioners, led by resident Judy Unger-Clark, claim that Stenersen’s job as a engineering designer creates a conflict of interest with his planning director duties. The board, which had responded to a similar complaint from Unger-Clark at their June meeting, maintained that Stenersen was following proper protocol in situations where conflict of interest might arise, and said his work experience was an “asset” to the board.
Stenersen is a part-time employee of Rindge and is only in the office one day a week. He also owns and manages Higher Design, PLLC, an engineering design firm. In his position as an engineer, he has presented for applicants to the town’s Planning and Zoning Board.
On Tuesday, Stenersen recused himself from the board to act as the representative for King’s Way, LLC, a developer seeking to subdivide and develop a 95-acre property off of Route 119. In that case, Stenersen disclosed his conflict, and recused himself from the case, and the review of the application – which would usually be completed by Stenersen – was instead done by the Planning Board chair and vice-chair.
Unger-Clark said in an address to the board at their meeting June 15 that Stenersen’s involvement with development in town created a fundamental conflict.
She repeated those sentiments Tuesday, saying it was “unethical” for Stenersen to remain in his position.
The petition submitted asked for Stenersen’s removal and replacement with “an individual without interests in the building and/or real estate industry in the town.”
“The current Planning Board Director has conflict of interests (sic). He is representing his own clients and development projects, while at the same time suggesting regulation and zoning changes for the town and overseeing a local governing board – the Rindge Planning Board. This creates an unfair representation of the cases before the Rindge Planning Board,” the petition read.
Planning Board Chair Jonah Ketola said he disagreed with the petition’s stance.
“We feel as a board that the Planning Director is not doing something that is a conflict of interest,” Ketola said, pointing out that Stenersen correctly recuses himself and steps down when presenting a project he is involved with. Ketola said the director is a part-time position, and Stenersen’s other work does not create an inherent conflict, and in fact gave him experience and insight.
“We feel it’s an asset to the town,” Ketola said.
Ketola also pointed out Stenersen does not have a voting stake in the Planning Board, and while he can make recommendations, they are not binding.
“He is shaping everyone’s views,” Unger-Clark replied.
“If you’re accusing this board or Kirk (Stenersen) of doing something illegal, file charges. Otherwise, I’m done hearing about it,” said Planning Board Vice Chair Sam Bouchie.