JAY VINSKEY
WESTFIELD – The city’s new principal planner is changing his focus as he enters public service next week.
Jay Vinskey of Northampton will begin his public service tenure on March 26 after serving for more than a decade as a project manager in the private sector.
Vinskey was employed at the Berkshire Design Group Inc., of Northampton for the past 12 years as a site planner and project manager, until his recent appointment by Mayor Daniel M. Knapik as the city’s principal planner.
“It will be interesting being on the other side of the table, a different role than I’m used to,” Vinskey said Thursday during an orientation session at City Hall where he met Knapik for the first time.
“I understand how developers think, how they approach the whole permitting process,” he said.
Vinskey was interviewed by Interim Human Resource Director Stephen Hagen and City Advancement Officer Jeff Daley, one of five candidates considered for the position. Hagen and Daley made the recommendation to Knapik to offer the position to Vinskey.
“I’m very pleased,” Knapik said Friday. “I think he will fit in with our philosophy on development in the city. We need to have new vision in the position, as land gets more difficult to develop. It’s an exciting time for the city because a lot of things are happening.”
Vinskey, an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts’ Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department, said that his experience and interests correspond to the needs of the city.
“I have a strong interest in urban planning,” he said. “It’s very exciting to see the downtown (revitalization) coming to fruition. In recent years the city has made a commitment to the downtown that inspires people to take a second look at Westfield.”
Vinskey said that his private section experience in site planning and strong design background will complement his duties as principal planner.
Vinskey said he has been involved in “a broad range of projects, both private and public sector, as well as streetscape” projects.
Knapik has contracted with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to provide technical assistance to the Planning Board since he declined to reappoint Larry Smith as Community Development director and principal planner.
The Planning Board is slated to meet Tuesday. The PVPC will continue to provide the board with technical support until Vinskey assumes those duties.
