LYNDEBOROUGH – The Planning Board has two new members, former Selectman Mark Schultz and Budget Committee Member Alyssa Lavoie. The Select Board interviewed the candidates at their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 6.

Schultz will be a full member, Lavoie an alternate, and both positions are for three years

The Planning Board has been the subject of contention for some time with residents complaining about lack of clarity, apparent partiality, and missing minutes.

Selectman Chairman Fred Douglas said the board will be reviewing their procedures, “some of which aren’t up to date,” and asked both candidates for their views on the process.

Selectman Mark Chamberlain, the Selectman representative to the Planning Board, said, “The Planning Board has wandered away from its rules, both state and town. The rules and procedures haven’t been updated in years.”

Both candidates stated that “rules and regulations have to be followed,” and they agreed that “everyone has to be treated equally.”

Lavoie said, “(The board) is accountable to those who come in. You have procedures in place, and you can’t change the rules for a situation.”

Planning Board Chairman Charlie Post said, “We have a lot of work ahead of us. There has been a lack of cooperation from some board members. We need to get things done.”

A work session has been scheduled to work on the update.

Douglas noted that in the past, some “inappropriate actions” by the Planning Board have ended up in court “and cost the town a lot of money.”

In addition, alternate member Ray Humphries was changed to a full time member.

Appointments to other boards will be considered at the next meeting.

In other business, Douglas was re-named chairman of the board.

Committee assignments were also made. Douglas will serve on the ambulance committee with town administrator Russ Boland. Chamberlain will continue on the Planning Board, Transportation Committee, and Heritage Commission. Robert Howe will serve on the Budget Committee and Conservation Commission.

Howe said somebody is needed to update and maintain the town’s website. ‘Maybe we need to hire someone.”

Chamberlain agreed that the website now “isn’t very helpful.” Current ordinance, for instance, “aren’t there.”

Charlie Post said, “There are some high school seniors with experience. Maybe we could contact one of them.”

Lisa Post said, “I’d be willing to help if I could get some training.”

The discussion was continued to another meeting.

It was noted that the state has installed a new sign at the Curtiss Dogwood Reservation, on Perham Corner Road, replacing one that might have dated to the 1940s and was in poor condition.

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, April 20, 6 p.m., in the town office.