STONINGTON ZBA CHAIRMAN STEPS DOWN CITING TERM LIMITS

Stonington — Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Matthew Berger has informed the town that he is stepping down from the board because he has completed the maximum terms allowed by town ordinance as of Aug. 31.

The resignation ends 16 years of service by Berger, an attorney, to the town.

He has served on the ZBA since 2010, when he was first appointed to an alternate position and previously on the Inland Wetlands Commission from 2002 to 2010.

In his letter to First Selectman Rob Simmons and the Board of Selectmen, Berger wrote that while there have been times when members have remained on the board after the end of the term if there was no one available to fill the seat, he felt that within the spirit of the ordinance, he should resign due to an expired term.

Town ordinance limits someone to be appointed to two three-year terms in the same capacity as an alternate or regular member. They then have to wait five years to be appointed again.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to serve the Town on the ZBA and especially appreciated the support of the Board of Selectmen in finding such great people to be on the Board with me,” Berger wrote in his resignation letter. “I hope the Board continues to be able to find residents willing to serve in this capacity, the current Board is outstanding but my vacancy will need to be filled.”