The Town Manager is pleased to announce that Chelsea Siefert has been hired as the Town's new Planning Director as of March 13th, 2017. Ms. Siefert will report to the Town Manager, work with several of the Town’s boards and commissions, and be responsible for coordinating and supervising the Town’s Planning Department.  Duties will include professional planning work, policy development relating to land use and long range community planning, including growth management and sustainability efforts, and development of the Department's budgets.  Ms. Siefert holds a Masters Degree in Community Planning from the University of Rhode Island, and a Bachelors Degree in Politics from Saint Anselm College and brings ten years of experience working in a variety of planning sectors, including consulting planner and working for both state and local governmental planning agencies. Ms. Siefert has been employed by the Town as Principal Planner since July 2016 and was selected as Planning Director from a field of 14 applicants as part of a regional search throughout New England. "Following the interview process, it was apparent that Chelsea was the best suited candidate, among a strong field of applicants, for the Planning Director position here in South Kingstown. She possesses a unique combination of technical planning skills, experience, energy, and enthusiasm that will fit well as a key member of our senior management team," said Stephen A. Alfred, Town Manager.