John Murtha

CHAIRMAN

Planning Board

Ronald Bayzon

VICE CHAIRMAN

Ron Bayzon – Ron has been involved with the town’s planning process from the beginning, starting with the Planning Commission to the creation of the Planning Board.     He is a College Professor specializing in Recreational Land Management and Soil Science at SUNY Cobleskill.  Ron is a third generation Town of Columbia resident; he and wife Carole, have raised three children in South Columbia.

Paul Kidder

SECRETARY

Paul Kidder - Paul became a member of the Planning Board in 1997.  He and his wife Deborah Huxtable Kidder have lived in Columbia since 1992 in a house they purchased in 1981.  He is a US Navy retiree, and until 2005 worked as a Veterans’ employment representative for the New York State Department of Labor.

Bruce Learnard

MEMBER

Bruce’s description

Lamott Smith

MEMBER

Lamott’s description

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The local Planning Board was created in 1990 by the Town Board to serve an advisory role concerning land use issues.  Its powers and duties are governed by section 271 of Town Law. In the capacity of advisor to the Town Board, the Planning Board prepared the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, and local land-use laws to include Subdivision and Zoning Laws subsequently approved by the Town Board.  The Planning Board has been delegated authority to approve Subdivision applications, Site Plans and Special Permits.  The Board consists of five members appointed by the Town Board to serve overlapping five-year terms.  In 2005 Board members completed a Land Use Training and Certification Program administered by the New York Planning Federation and Land Use Law Center.  It holds a January annual meeting to select a Chairman, vice-Chairman and Secretary.  Regular meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 7:30pm in the Town Barn.

John P. Murtha- Chairman of the Planning Board– five years and have lived in Columbia for the past fifteen years.  Married to wife Rita for 50 years, have five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.  Retired from the high tech corporate world as a national and international manager for service and support and currently on the board of trustees and membership chairman of SAMPSON AIR FORCE BASE VETERANS ACCOCIATION. (USAF) Veteran &  member Richfield Springs American Legion)