One of the long-serving members of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission has officially resigned, the second P&Z member to do so in a month.
Republican Vice Chairman Robert E. Maquat has submitted his letter of resignation to the Board of Selectmen, effective July 19. He has served on the commission for more than two decades.
Maquat’s resignation comes just weeks after Commission Chairman Raymond Martin, a Republican, resigned his post following an ethics probe that found he violated the town ethics ordinance when he pleaded guilty to falsely reporting a stolen car in September 2021. Martin also steps down on July 19.
Maquat was reappointed to a five-year term on the commission last year. He previously chaired the commission for decades before Martin took over the chairman position in 2022.
Maquat could not be reached for comment for this story.
The commission is comprised of five members and three alternate members appointed to five-year terms. Three members are Republicans and two are Democrats. Two of the three alternates are Republicans and one is Unaffiliated.
First Selectman David Bindelglass said the Republican and Democratic Town Committees will put forth recommendations to the Board of Selectmen to fill the vacancies left by Maquat and Martin.
“The vacancies can’t be filled prior to the resignations dates, but we still want to select the replacements prior to July 19,” said Bindelglass.
The commission will then elect a new chairman and vice chair.
