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Thomas Cost Voted New Guilford PZC Chair

After an exciting term, Richard Meier was replaced as chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission at its annual meeting on April 13. Member Thomas Cost (R) will take on the position for a two-year term.

Vice Chair Ray Bower (R) and Secretary Richard Wallace (D), both of whom will retain their positions, will join Cost on the elected slate. A six-vote majority voted in the new slate.

Meier will continue to serve on the commission until his term expires in 2018.

“I will still be here and I will support Tom,” he said.

Looking back on his time as chair, Meier said he was very pleased with his work on the commission.

“What I enjoyed most about being chair was being able to help property owners achieve the maximum value of their property while still maintaining respect for their neighbors,” he said.

Over his two-year term, Meier presided over a number of controversial issues in town including Oceanco LLC’s transformation of the former Stone House Restaurant into office space, the proposed propane storage depot in the town’s west end, and the adult-oriented business debate.

“I am really happy with the adult entertainment thing,” he said. “That is probably the biggest thing. That meant something to me. It was personal, and I wanted to make sure that was not going to happen in this town.”

Following his election as chair, Cost kept his acceptance simple.

“Thank you,” he said.