05/22/2026
⚠️ Town of Putnam Putnam Disbands Planning Board Despite Overwhelming Community Opposition ⚠️
On May 14, Putnam Town Board passed a resolution, 4-1, to disband the Planning Board. The Site Plan Review Law currently stands. Public comment was restricted on this issue during the meeting. This decision was made despite recent overwhelming public support to maintain the Planning Board.
The LGA and Lake George Waterkeeper still believe that the Planning Board had an established and thorough review process and provided vital opportunity for public input and environmental considerations – all of which benefitted the community, as well as the water quality of Lake Champlain and Lake George.
With this change, the Town Board will now be responsible for land-use decisions and to implement the requirements of the Site Plan Review Law.
State agencies often issue exemptions for jurisdiction over local development, which is where the Putnam Planning Board provided knowledgeable, meaningful reviews on local projects. Without a trained Planning Board, the Town Board members – who lack the required, formal training and experience in land-use decisions – will now be responsible.
While we respect the dedication of the Town’s elected officials, we hope the Town Board will continue the open public participation process and prioritize environmental considerations that Town residents deserve.
The Lake George Waterkeeper and LGA will continue to monitor the actions of the Town Board to ensure that Lake Champlain and Lake George water quality, and community participation, are protected.
