Sitting Down with Justin Smith

Details: Created on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 18:00; Written by Daniel Weiner

LYNDONVILLE - Justin Smith, Lyndon’s Zoning Administrator for more than a decade, embarked on a new role this year, as he took over with Dawn Dwyer for Dan Hill as part-time Municipal Administrator of Lyndonville back in October, as Dan began his retirement. Dan is now in the office three days a week, but it’s been a combined role for Smith, Dwyer and Hill, as they split duties when it comes to dealing with overseeing the operating departments, such as highways, water, sewer and police, of the town and village of Lyndonville. Smith sat down with NewsLINC for an interview talking about his newly appointed position among other things.

How has the transition into your new role been?

“I’ve been very lucky. The last two administrators have been very helpful and very generous with their time, as well as starting to teach me some of the responsibilities, duties and day-to-day goings on of the municipal administrator. Although it was somewhat of a surprise when Dan [Hill] said that he would be getting done… he had done a nice job at preparing me for some of the duties. He let me sit in on budgets for the last two years, and also when he’s had vacations I’ve filled in and answered questions from people in town… it was a smoother transition than someone new coming in for a short period of time.”

What’s been a challenge of the new job title you’ve had with taking over for some of the Municipal Administrators roles?

“Dealing with personnel issues is new. I’m used to dealing with the public. Whether you’re dealing with a zoning permit, or something delicate like that, you have those skills for answering questions that come in from the municipal administrators side of things, but no one works under me in the zoning office. Where as the municipal administrator you’re responsible for multiple departments… you just have to get your feet wet and trust your judgment.”

What qualities do you have that helped you ease into this role?

“I’ve been here my whole life, so familiarity with anyone who walks through the door. It’s my job, I live here, and I know where people live. I think that’s something I bring to the table... that I’m a familiar face, someone that people are familiar with. I’m also able to help Dan with spreadsheets.”

What do you love about Lyndon?

“Having grown up and gone to high school here, the one thing that strikes me is how close the community is. I played several sports growing up, and the community rallies around the kids. Being a coach at the high school level I’m always amazed but never surprised that the fans travel and support the youth, not just home, but away. The number of Lyndonville citizens that don’t have a stake in anyone participating, but will still travel to watch them play is astounding. The people are here 24/7. It’s not a community where a bunch of people come in and then leave. It’s a community that’s close knit and know what’s going on.”

You’re also the coach of the Baseball team at Lyndon Institute when you’re not in the office. How successful have you been since taking over in 2000?

“Well we went to the championship my second year of coaching in 2002, and then won in 2009, and we are what I call in our community a '5 year cycle.' We rebuild on a 4-5 year cycle…and we’re kind of at the end of that cycle.”

So whether you find yourself at the municipal building or even at LI's baseball field, Justin Smith is a familar face to many around the town.