Kate Lisa is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media the Coeymans Town Board September 12, approved two new members to the town planning board in a tense, split vote. Kristin Herrick and Nicholas Battaglia were appointed during the town board’s regular meeting in a 3-2 decision. Board members tussled over the four resolutions presented for a vote, including a motion to appoint a new planning board chair, which failed to pass. “These candidates, I know most of them. I don’t know all of them, but as a board, shouldn’t we have discussed it together?” town board member Kenneth Burns asked after the fourth and final vote. Town Supervisor Philip Crandall explained that he and board member Daniel Baker interviewed all seven prospective applicants together and decided who would be nominated. Planning board member Albert Collins asked why the board did not hold a public workshop and openly discuss the four candidates and their qualifications. “That’s not how we chose to do it,” Crandall replied. Herrick and Battaglia were appointed to fill the vacancies created by the death of Ernest Quinto and the resignation of Peter Forondo. Battaglia is employed as a principal court attorney in the state Supreme Court in Greene County. Herrick is also an attorney and is employed as the executive director of operations for the international nonprofit Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. Read the full story in the Ravena News-Herald.