The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, is choosing a new executive director this week for the first time in decades.
The PVPC is a regional planning agency for the 43 cities and towns in Hampshire and Hampden counties. It focuses on issues like regional transportation, housing, and public health.
After more than 40 years on the job, executive director Tim Brennan is retiring.
We’re at @PVPlanning this morning to discuss a serious health concern: how transportation air pollution contributes to preventable childhood respiratory disease. Thanks to Exec Director Tim Brennan for hosting! #mapoli @MAPublicHealth pic.twitter.com/vbuYkj1OFu
— Transportation for MA (@T4MASS) February 1, 2019
The candidates to replace him are Wayne Feiden, planner for the city of Northampton; and Kimberly Robinson, executive director of a regional planning agency in Nevada.
One of those who will be voting at the PVPC's Thursday meeting is Scott Hanson, principal planner for the city of Springfield.
"You've got to be a good communicator," he said. "You certainly have to know the political landscape to know how to get things done. Looking at the prior work of both of these candidates, they seem to have that skill set."
Hanson wouldn't say if he's decided who he'll vote for.
Tom Reniewicz, the commissioner from Chicopee, said he hasn't made a choice yet, but he wants someone who can effectively push the priorities of the member cities and towns on Beacon Hill.
"The next director is someone that's going to be looking towards making sure that the Pioneer Valley communities get their proper representation — not just going along with what the eastern part wants to go along with, and letting the agenda of the eastern part of the state being shoved down the Pioneer Valley's throat, so to speak," Reniewicz said.
The new director is expected to start work in September.
