Non-resident should not be on planning board

During the Town of Bath Planning Board meeting on August 23, Chairman Jim Emo admitted that he is not a resident of the Town of Bath, and that he is registered to vote in the Town of Howard. He also admitted to owning several commercial properties in the Town of Bath. The fact that the Bath Town Board appointed a non-resident to head the Planning Board is of questionable legality, and at the very least irresponsible.

Since he is not a resident of Bath, Mr. Emo will not have to live with many of the long-term effects his decisions will have on our community. The fact that Mr. Emo owns multiple commercial properties creates a conflict of interest for him as well. It is unfortunate that the Town Board has left us with this dilemma. It's time to close the loopholes that allow situations like this to occur and get back to the business of doing what's right for Bath.

Mike Povoski Bath