HARTWICK - Dick Kelly, the co-chairman of the Hartwick planning board submitted his resignation to the town board during a special joint meeting Monday night.

His announcement came just after the town board had given Kelly and members of the planning board their vote of confidence.

Kelly was appointed to the planning board in January 2000 and served as co-chairman during some of the most contentious reviews of large development projects along the Route 28 corridor.

His brief letter of resignation gave no specifics, but he said later that it was for personal reason and was the right time to do it.

"It's a very taxing job and demands a great deal of time," he said, commenting that a seven-year term seemed too long and he had been considering his resignation for awhile.

At the same time, Kelly said he derived a great deal of satisfaction from the position and the role he and the planning board have played in shaping the rapidly changing landscape of the town.

"It was a very educational experience. I learned a lot about how towns, the county and state government relate to each and their interconnectivity," he said.

"Also, I would like to thank the members of the planning board who I've served with past and present. They have been a tremendous board to serve with. My best wishes go to them for the future," he said.

"I'm sorry to see him leave, but I understand. Evidently, he's had enough," said town supervisor Carol Niedzialkowski.

Town councilman Delos Field commented that it will be tough to find someone as open-minded as Kelly and co-chairman Ferd Thering.

Earlier in the joint meeting, town board members expressed their happiness with the job the planning board was doing.

"I think you are doing an excellent job. You are fulfilling your duty as I see it," said town board member Mary Balcom.

Members of the two boards held the joint meeting to discuss some planning issues, including fees charged to applicants and a timeframe for beginning projects once they have been approved.

Kelly said there were members of the planning board who believed there should be a time limit for work to start on a project once it is approved. If work does not commence within the designated timeframe, the applicant would have to return to the planning board for an updated review of the plan, he explained.

Proposals are approved based on current codes and standards which may change over time, said town attorney Lynn Green.

The boards talked about the current fee structure and decided to institute a $100 processing fee for site plan review applications to cover the expenses involved in the review process.

Attorney Green said the fees should be for expenses and not a penalty for someone who comes before the board.

"We're not trying to make any money. We're just trying to cover expenses," said town board member David Butler.

Near the end of the meeting, officials talked briefly about a list issues and concerns regarding the future of the town that Kelly had put together and presented to the town board.

"Some of these things we're talking about we have to take a harder look at," Kelly said, commenting that development was along Route 28 right now, "but one day it will be somewhere else."

Town councilman Field said he believed it would be a good idea to map what already exists in town. "We really don't know what we have in town," he said.

"Ten years ago who would have thought we'd have two motels?" Kelly asked.

"Ten years ago I had no idea this area would be cleaned up. This whole area is nicer than it was ten years ago," Field said.

Niedzialkowski said it was too early to discuss who would be appointed to serve as co-chair of the planning board with Ferd Thering and and who would fill the vacancy on the board. The supervisor did not expect a decision prior to the town board's June meeting.

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