Susan Bresee (Planning Commission)

Susan Bresee wants to plan for Jericho’s future

In 2015, Susan Bresee decided to apply for a position on the Planning Commission. “I had an interest in volunteering and serving my community,” she said. Although Bresee didn’t have a background in land use planning, her professional career had involved market and product planning. “It seemed like a good fit where I could translate my skills to a role in town that looked at long-term strategies,” she said. “It was a lot like what I did at work.”

Bresee was eventually elected clerk of the Planning Commission. She served two years in that capacity and when the chair had to step down in 2020, she was asked to fill that role. She was subsequently elected to that position and has served as chair ever since. She finds the role to be a challenging one because in addition to doing the planning work, she has to take other factors into account. She likens it to captaining a boat and having to consider the weather and sea conditions in addition to the route.

Bresee is still enthusiastic about working on the Planning Commission. “What I enjoy the most is working with my fellow members, as well as residents who participate in meetings, other committees, and the town staff,” she said. Bresee adds that the work done in Jericho also affects the greater community, the county, and the state. “There is so much in the world that is negative,” she said. “We’re part of an effort to make life better for a lot of people and I like being a part of that. It’s important to think of the town as a shared experience rather than everyone living within their four walls. Being on the Planning Commission forces you to look beyond your own self-interest.”

Bresee spent most of her professional career working for IDX but ironically it was in satellite offices in Boston and San Francisco. In 1997, she and her husband decided to relocate to Vermont, so she requested a transfer. She remembers driving around Chittenden County with a paper map in her rental car, trying to figure out where she wanted to live. “We fell in love with Jericho,” she recalls. “Jericho Elementary School reminded me of the school I went to as a kid.”

After leaving IDX, Bresee worked for a smaller company, mostly doing health care consulting. She currently has her own consulting business. A good portion of Bresee’s professional work has involved negotiating contracts and she believes that has informed her work on the Planning Commission. “There are a lot of similarities between contracts and regulations,” she said. “Regulations are like contracts with the town. Because of my background, the nitty gritty of the regulations doesn’t drive me crazy.”

With Jericho equidistant between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, Bresee gets to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as swimming and sailing. She enjoys cooking and also gardens but derives more enjoyment from weeding and pruning than planting. Mostly, Bresee loves walking and appreciates her proximity to the trails at Mobbs Farm.

“Jericho is a really friendly town, especially for families with kids,” Bresee said. Her three children, now in their 20’s, attended Jericho schools from Saxon Hill Preschool through MMU. “I had really positive experiences with the schools,” she said, “and I still have those friendships.” Bresee considers Jericho to be a very accessible town and notes that it is easy to find something for everyone. “There are many different interest groups you can tap into,” she said. “It feels rural but it’s close to conveniences.”

The Planning Commission spent a year drafting a new Town Plan which has just been approved by the Select Board. Bresee is proud of the multiple ways the commission worked to increase citizen participation in the process including in-person events, Zoom calls, and outreach at the farmers’ market. Still, only a few hundred people provided input. Bresee said she chooses to interpret passive participation as tacit approval but wishes more people would take part in the process. “People’s concerns are legitimate,” she said, “but it’s a constant exercise to focus on the work and to hear comments as concern, not criticism while we figure out how to address those concerns.”

Bresee notes that Planning Commission work can be hard because there is so much to be done but there aren’t always sufficient resources. Although there are a lot of volunteers, the town also relies on staff and consultants to make things happen. “You have to pick and choose your priorities and balance short and long-term benefits,” she said. She praised Jericho Town Planner Linda Blasch as a great person to work with. “She has a great professional background and is a Jericho resident,” she said. “The Planning Commission is lucky to have her support and guidance.”

“The Planning Commission is cool because it’s hard,” Bresee said. “It’s more complicated than people realize. We have an incredible group of hardworking people coming at things from different points of view. We don’t always agree but everyone is looking out for the best interest of the community.”