Port Town Board names Welton to vacant seat

Greg Welton is the newest member of the Port Washington Town Board.

Welton was appointed by the Town Board Friday to fill the vacancy left when Supr. Mike Didier was named town chairman.

Former Chairman Jim Melichar resigned April 14 for health reasons.

Welton was one of four town residents interviewed last week to fill the vacancy until the April 2021 election.

Five people initially applied for the supervisory seat, including Terry Anewenter, John Sampont, Grant Smith, John Taucher and Welton.

Smith withdrew from the race before the May 13 interviews were conducted by Didier, Town Supr. Gary Schlenvogt and Plan Commission member Randy Noll.

“This isn’t an easy thing to do,” Schlenvogt said, noting all the candidates understand the issues the town is facing. “All four interviews went well.”

The interview panel rated the candidates, and the top two were Welton and Taucher, Didier said.

Welton, of 2563 Applewood Dr., is a lifelong town resident who has owned and operated Welton Builders for 30 years.

He has served as a member of the Board of Appeals but told the board the group hasn’t met since he was appointed.

Welton said he has a “huge vested interest” in the town, having attended numerous meetings and developed various parcels in the township through the years.

The town faces a number of issues, such as the future of the recycling center and the master plan, that he would like to get involved in, he said.

He would like the town to become more involved in such things as the extension of cable and internet in the township, Welton said.

The Knellsville area is another area of interest, he said.

“I think we could do a little more to help get things moving,” Welton said, adding he believes the town is losing businesses to the city’s industrial park.

“We need to set the environment to get things moving,” he said.

The town is doing a lot of things right, he added, such as keeping a lid on taxes and spending, he said.

“I like the way the town is,” he said. “I just want to improve it. The rural character is the biggest thing — and growth.”

When asked whether he would favor the town’s position or a property owner’s in matters where legal interpretations are ambiguous, Welton said it’s a balancing act. Property owners’ rights “are huge,” he said, but need to be balanced against the potential harm to others.

 “Government is supposed to set the atmosphere for people to succeed, not be the reason people succeed,” he added.

Welton said he has the time to devote to the town, adding that he would run for election in spring.