MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Marc Resnick just began as the town’s new planner, and already is sitting down to a full plate of tasks.
Resnick, who formally started on Jan. 16, is starting off with the current ultimate municipal issue of local planning — the state-mandated call for a transit-oriented zoning district to be created near Manchester-by-the-Sea’s commuter rail station.
Resnick will need to navigate local political waters and work with town officials and board members to submit a MBTA zoning plan by the state-mandated deadline of Dec. 31.
Resnick will earn $90,000 per year, Town Administrator Gregory Federspiel said.
“Marc’s experiences and calm demeanor make him an ideal choice for Manchester,” Federspiel said. “We are excited to have him join our municipal team.”
Resnick also will work on the continued updating of the town’s bylaws and planning for climate change.
“(We need) an experienced planning professional with a strong track record of working well with a diverse set of stakeholders,” Federspiel said.
In addition, Resnick will be spending much time tending to the application by the Danvers-based biotechnology firm Cell Signaling Technology Inc. to build a new campus close to Gentlees Road, Atwater Avenue, School Street and Route 128.
The biotechnology company recently bought a 50-acre parcel that includes the Manchester Athletic Club, extensive woodlands and an abandoned quarry in Manchester’s Limited Commercial District.
Plans call for building research and development and corporate offices that would open by 2026.
Resnick was welcomed during board’s meeting last Monday, Planning Board Chair Ron Mastrogiacomo said.
“He seemed to have a good handle on things,” Mastrogiacomo said. “He’s coming up to speed. We had a good meeting with him.”
Resnick offered a number of suggestions at the meeting on matters facing the town.
“We’re looking forward to working with him,” Mastrogiacomo said. “I think he’s going to be a good fit.”
Last August, Planning Board members discussed hiring a new land use director or town planner, as Interim Town Planner Betsy Ware planned to step down.
At the time, Ware indicated while her time would be limited, she would be available to assist the new hire during the change.
Resnick’s background
According to Resnick’s resume, he has worked as a town planner in Lakeville and Foxborough, and as Brockton Redevelopment Authority’s director of community development.
Resnick, who owns a house in New Bedford, also maintains the family home in Gloucester and is familiar with Cape Ann.
“It was an opportunity to move back to Cape Ann,” he said on Wednesday. “I have a lot of friends from Gloucester to Newburyport.”
Among Resnick’s biggest challenges will be attending to the state-mandated MBTA zoning district in town.
“Manchester’s MBTA Task Force has been working diligently on this for some time now,” he said. “That’s just one of the issues I’ll be working on.”
His responsibilities will have him overseeing flood plain assistance issues and matters related to the town’s aquifer district.
In addition, Resnick pointed to the site plan review to be conducted for Cell Signaling Technology’s application for its planned campus in Manchester.
“That’s been filed,” he said. “I’ll be guiding them through the process.”
In the past, Resnick said he managed the municipal review of plans and site construction for Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and coordinated the planning, rezoning and permitting for the mixed-use redevelopment of the 150-acre Foxborough State Hospital site.
Resnick holds a 1989 master’s degree from the Tufts University Department of Urban and Environmental Policy at the Center for Public Service. His thesis was called “A Redevelopment Proposal for the Gloucester Waterfront.”
In addition, he also earned his bachelor’s from Clark University in 1982, majoring in geography.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@gloucestertimes.com.