Jon Goddard, center, discusses a request for a common driveway during a past Southwick Planning Board meeting. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
SOUTHWICK – Town Planner Alan Slessler will retire next month, and Planning Board members hope to fill his part-time position with another part-time employee, Jon Goddard.
Goddard, who works part-time for the Department of Public Works, is no stranger to the Southwick Planning Board. He has represented numerous clients and projects in Southwick when he worked for a local company that offers services in landscape architecture, civil engineering, land surveying and environmental consultation.
Southwick Planning Board Chair Michael Doherty suggested Goddard fill the position during the May 11 board meeting, touting his experience and knowledge of Southwick.
Board member Marcus Phelps said he was in favor of Goddard but wondered how it would work to create a full-time position split between two departments.
“I’ve talked to Karl [Stinehart, chief administrative officer] and it can be accomplished,” said Doherty. “But it would be up to the Southwick Select Board.”
Doherty said he would like a few board members and Select Board members to discuss the options with Goddard.
“My understanding from Karl is that it’s feasible,” he said.
Board members then discussed the current Southwick Town Planner job description and made several adjustments. Doherty asked Slessler if it was a “reasonable description” of what he does.
Slessler said it was, and after some re-wording, the board agreed on the updated description and to work with the Select Board and Goddard.
Doherty also lamented the loss of Slessler, joking that he had promised to stay.
