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ZBA chair steps aside
Times Herald Record
Victor Whitman
February 9, 2006

Mamakating - The chairman of the town's Zoning Board of Appeals has stepped down.

But a move to kick Jim Barnett off the ZBA failed Tuesday night.

Barnett, without the Town Board's approval, last year replaced the ZBA's attorney, Ira Cohen. This was after Cohen urged the ZBA not to approve height and size variances for the proposed Yukiguni Maitake mushroom plant off Route 209.

Barnett also drew fire for denying minutes of meetings to residents and arguing with speakers during public comment.

Barnett sent the ZBA a letter that he was stepping aside as chairman: "I have always put the community's interest not politics in the forefront."

Supervisor Charlie Penna introduced a resolution to remove Barnett from the board. It failed 3-2, with Penna and Councilwoman Judith Young in favor and Regina Saunders, Nick Salomone Jr. and Sean Moriarity opposed. Barnett will stay on the board until at least December when his term expires.

"This is not over," Penna said.

The board appointed William Fedun as chairman and Langdon Chapman as attorney to the Planning and Zoning boards.