HomeMy WebLinkAboutTGSCminutes20050912Town Government Study Committee
September 12, 2005 Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: The fourth meeting of the Town Government Study Committee was
called to order at 4:12 p.m. in the Land Bank conference room when Chairman
Reinhard declared a quorum present. In attendance: Gardner, Reinhard, Severns and
Willauer. Absent: Lohmann, Miller, Topham. Guests: Bill Sherman, Judith Drake.
Minutes: The chairman announced he would record the minutes of today’s meeting in
the absence of Pam Lohmann. The minutes of August 22, 2005 were approved and the
chair praised secretary Lohmann for the excellent job she has done recording and
distributing our meeting minutes. Bill Sherman requested a copy of our minutes as they
are released during our tenure. It was agreed to distribute minutes to any interested
party as soon as available. Wide distribution of our deliberations is part of our mission.
Mission Statement Discussion: Reinhard opened discussion of the need to develop a
clear and simple statement of the scope and work of our committee. We reviewed the
draft from August 2 with revisions proposed at that meeting. During the course of
discussion the committee felt that we should include in our study of Town government
an examination of existing by-laws, applicable Massachusetts General Laws, and
Special Acts of the Legislature as each of these has an impact on the function of Town
government.
Our working draft so far includes,
The mission of the Town Government Study Committee is:
1. to study the current structure, organization, operation, management and
governance of the Town and County of Nantucket,
2. to solicit ideas, comments, and suggestions from the community at-large
regarding the above,
3. to study applicable Town and County by-laws, applicable Massachusetts
General Laws, and Special Acts of the Legislature as they apply to number 1,
above,
4. to share our findings, along with specific recommendations, if necessary, in the
form of warrant articles and/or by-law proposals, with the public at-large, with the
Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen, and to keep the public informed as
we progress in our work.
Reinhard asked committee members to give this wording some thought and stated he
would like to have a final draft of our mission statement ready for a vote during our next
meeting on September 26.
Invitation to Tom Groux: Reinhard announced he has invited retired town manager Tom
Groux to meet informally with the committee at our meeting on the 26th. He stressed
that the meeting will be informal, at no expense and would provide the committee an
opportunity to speak with Mr. Groux and ask questions. Reinhard mentioned that we
are in the process of defining our mission and the scope of our work. Mr. Groux’s
informal presence, experience and reflections may be helpful. Reinhard also mentioned
he would have a written statement from attorney DeRensis through Libby Gibson
addressing the question of any legislative or statutory distinction between a town
manager and a town administrator. Again, Mr. Groux’s observations may be helpful.
Future Speakers: There followed a discussion regarding other people we might like to
invite to address our committee. Jack Gardner suggested we have a representative
from the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Other suggestions included Keith
Bergman, former Nantucket Executive Secretary and now in Provincetown, Paul
DeRensis and Tim Madden. We will compile a list of potential invitees who might be
helpful in our study. We briefly discussed ways to solicit thoughts, suggestions and
concerns from the community regarding Town government with, perhaps, some form of
public forum early next year, depending on our progress.
Charter Review: Next, the committee proceeded with a review of Article IV of the Town
Charter concerning the role, responsibilities, and powers of the Town Administrator. We
discussed at some length section 4.1 which spells out the roles of Selectmen and Town
Administrator and the lines of authority and responsibility of each concerning the
function of town administration and dealing with Town employees. At the end of our
discussion it was agreed that more time needs to be spent on this section of the charter
to allow absent members to consider this very important area.
The issues and questions raised for later discussion and consideration by the
committee were:
1. What happens when Town population exceeds 10,000? What are the
implications regarding the way the Town can organize and govern itself?
2. What issues are raised concerning conflict of interest when Town employees
serve on Town boards, commissions and committees? How is “flex-time” and
“comp-time” being used when Town employees offer to serve on volunteer
boards, commissions and committees? What administrative or policy procedures
address the issue of Town employees attending meetings on Town time?
3. The Committee should review the Town Administrative Code to better
understand the relationship between town employees and administration.
4. Can the functions of Town government such as purchasing, communications and
delivery of other Town services be better centralized and streamlined, particularly
in regard to emergency preparedness and with regard to contracts entered into
by the Town? What administrative procedures are in place?
5. What additional support is needed to assist and strengthen the position of Town
Administrator?
Tentative Agenda for September 26, 2005, 4:00 p.m. Land Bank Conference Room:
1. Minutes of September 12, 2005
2 Introduction: Tom Groux
3. Discussion of statutory distinction between titles Town Administrator and Town
manager
4. Mission Statement discussion
5. Discussion of Town Charter, Article IV, Town Administration
6. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted,
Allen B. Reinhard, acting secretary