NAHANT — The Planning Board has elected Sheila Hambleton as its newest chair.
An “emergency” meeting was called with the sole agenda item of voting on a new chair, as the two-year term that the position is traditionally held for had been surpassed. In order to successfully choose a new chair, four out of six of the attending members had to vote in favor.
Corresponding Secretary Shannon Bianchi was the first to be nominated for the position.
“The chairperson in my mind is a pretty strict role, and I think I would be well-suited for it,” Bianchi said.
Board member Rob Steinberg began a roll-call vote to elect Bianchi, with Hambleton voting in favor and member Michelle Capano voting against. Board member Steven Viviano said he felt the process was rushed and that further discussion should be had before a new chair is chosen.
“I would have rather had some sort of discussion on this… on anybody that wanted to be the chair,” Viviano said. “It seems like there’s more going on behind the scenes here that I’m not up on the loop on.”
With Viviano abstaining and Steinberg also voting not in favor, the motion to elect Bianchi failed.
Board member Casey Carey then nominated Hambleton. In addition to being a town assessor, Hambleton has served on the Planning Board for 35 years. However, she has always declined chair nominations in the past.
The vote to elect Hambleton passed with five votes in support. Viviano again chose to abstain.
“I wouldn’t want to cast a vote for Sheila and not Shannon,” Viviano said.
Hambleton’s term on the board is set to expire next April.
