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... And that leaves only Neil Budnick, Christine Wagner and Penny Rashin on the Town Center Planning Group after the announcement Monday that Jim Beall had stepped down. That came on the heels of the resignation of Michael Hobbs, who five days earlier had quit the committee that is working on a master plan for downtown.
First Selectman Jeb Walker announced Beall's departure during the planning group's regular meeting at the Lapham Community Center. Walker did not elaborate on why Beall decided to leave, but the first selectman voiced frustration with people who have criticized the idea of putting together a master plan. Walker said some people are "making up stories" and "denigrating the reputations of people who are trying to do their best for the town." Beall did not attend the meeting Monday.
In his resignation, Hobbs cited personal attacks on committee members.
"I'm saddened," Wagner said of Beall's departure. "He was a wonderful asset to the group and a wonderful member to work with, and I'll miss that."
The planning group's current task is to find a consultant to help determine the future of several facilities, including Town Hall, the New Canaan Fire Department and the New Canaan Library. A public hearing to receive public input on the master plan was postponed after the Board of Finance asked the planning group to gets cost estimates from several contractors. The group met with Walker in an executive session to discuss the matter.
Walker said he would decide whether to replace Beall and Hobbs. Wagner said she supported adding new members. "Too many is unwieldy, and too few is a lot of work," she said.
Budnick asked that residents critical of the master plan "look beyond their own interests and see what's best for the community at large."
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