Many of us have been wondering what Mayor John Moak has in mind for the new Planning Director of Newburyport, Massachusetts, myself very much included.

The job has been posted on the City’s website. The position will close July 10, 2006.

I actually found the posted position kind of reassuring.

In this post on the Newburyport Political Blog, I have put a few of what I would consider interesting parts of the entire job posting for the next Newburyport Planning Director.

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A description of the position includes:

“Duties include preparing long-range conservation and development plan; drafting ordinances; coordinating work with the Mayor and other City departments; conducting research; writing grant applications; advising boards, commissions, committees and elected officials.”

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Under Essential Duties and Responsibilities it says:

“Coordinates amendments to the Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Waterfront Strategic Plan, Strategic Land Use Plan, Zoning and Subdivisions Regulations and Zoning Map.

Advises the Mayor, City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board, staff members and other commissions and committees on land use and planning matters.

Provides information and guidance to the public, regarding pending development projects and property owners interested in developing their land; meets with developers and their representatives to discuss regulatory requirements; ensures that land use factors associated with a potential project are analyzed by a developer at an early stage before major commitments are made.

Works with Federal, State and local agencies to facilitate the development of affordable housing within the City.”

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And under “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities,” there is this:

“Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, contractors, architects, land developers, associates and the general public.”

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I was particularly heartened by “preparing long-range conservation and development plan; drafting ordinances;”… “Coordinates amendments to the Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Waterfront Strategic Plan, Strategic Land Use Plan, Zoning and Subdivisions Regulations and Zoning Map” … “Provides information and guidance to the public, regarding pending development projects…”

And it seems to me that Mayor John Moak is interested in a certain managerial style… “Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, contractors, architects, land developers, associates and the general public.”

(If you would like to see the entire posted position see sidebar on the main page of the Newburyport Political Blog for the link to the City of Newburyport’s website. Go to “employment” on the sidebar on the left of that website, press that link and a list of positions will appear. Press “Planning Director.”)

Mary Eaton, Newburyport