HomeMy WebLinkAboutTGSCminutes20051114Town Government Study Committee
Draft Minutes, November 14, 2005
Land Bank Office
Call to Order. Chairman Reinhard called the eighth meeting of the Town Government
Study Committee to order at 4:00 pm. Present were members Reinhard. Gardner,
Lohmann, Sevrens, Topham, Miller, and Willauer, and guests Barnes and Graziadei.
Minutes. Mr. Groux had sent a clarification of the provisions of 4.2(d)(15), discussed at
the last meeting, regarding delegated powers of the Town Administrator (TA): "What I
meant to say was that when the Charter itself assigns duties to the TA those duties can
not be withdrawn (or rescinded) by the Selectmen. That is because the voters are the ones
who assign the duties. Thus only a new vote by the voters can rescind those duties.
However, the Selectmen may assign additional duties to the TA (beyond what the Charter
does) and what the Selectmen assign they may also rescind." The minutes were approved
with the clarification.
Upcoming Meetings. Reinhard reminded the committee of the next two meetings
scheduled this year, November 28 and December 12.
Future Meetings. Reinhard passed out a calendar covering January through April of
2006 and asked members to consider meeting times in light of holidays, vacation plans
and other conflicts, so that we can, at the next meeting, develop a meeting schedule up to
the April Town Meeting. Topham suggested having longer meetings. Barnes asked
whether any general public meetings were planned, and Reinhard assured him they would
be, but in addition to the regular committee meetings, the form still to be determined. He
noted that, after charter review, the group might form subcommittees to examine specific
questions. Relevant documents are available in the Town Clerk's office and the
Atheneum. Reinhard will see that copies are available as needed.
Invitees. Reinhard asked the members to consider names of people to invite to comment
on the operation of Town Government. Sevrens suggested someone from the
Massachusetts Municipal Association. Bill Sherman, Keith Bergman, Town Counsel
DeRensis, TA Libby Gibson were also mentioned. The committee should cover expenses
for off-island visitors. Reinhard noted that Mr. Groux will submit a package showing
what consulting services he can offer and his charges. Miller urged that invitees,
especially off-island ones, be contacted and dates set soon. There was a suggestion that
speakers meet first with the committee and later, perhaps as part of a panel, at a public
meeting to address questions. The Nantucket Civic League is interested in offering such a
forum. Reinhard would like to be able to have these meetings in late January and
February, in order to be able to raise major issues for consideration before Town Meeting
(TM). A written report and perhaps a brief presentation at TM would hopefully generate
more public interest and input. More interviews could be held afterward.
Mission Statement. Reinhard reported that he forwarded our draft mission statement
with a cover letter requesting endorsement from both the Board of Selectmen and the
County Commissioners. It is on their agenda for the next meeting, November 30.
Charter Review. The committee resumed consideration of the charter at 4.3, dealing
with appointment powers of the TA. While sections 4.3(c) and (d) seem clear, 4.3(a) and
(b), together with 4.4 need clarifying and perhaps consolidating. The relative roles of
elected and appointed heads, of departments within and outside Town Administration, is
confusing. The differing status of such entities as the Airport, School and Water
departments, NRTA, the NP&EDC, Solid Waste should be clarified. [Some elected, some
appointed, some State entities, some Enterprise Funds, some within Town departments,
etc.]
The Charter gives the TA strong authority and large responsibilities. There was lengthy
discussion of whether the office of the TA is adequate to the task of running the
increasingly complex aspects of town government, with many departments to oversee and
many issues to address.
There was also discussion of how to balance the independence of the TA with the
responsibility of the BOS to exercise oversight. The BOS is subject and responsive to
pressures from the electorate. There is a need for the BOS to formulate a strategic plan,
prioritize action goals and communicate these to the TA for implementation, but not to
interfere with the management.
Democratic Town Government is essentially a messy, imperfect system, but
are there changes in the charter that might address these problems, or other
administrative, structural or policy changes [for example, more staff for the TA, or full
time, paid BOS] that would improve the way the governance works for the town? The
Committee's study will at least serve to raise the public's awareness of the issues.
Next Meeting. Finish review of town Charter [4.5 ff]; Reinhard will get copies of other
charters for comparison, although Nantucket's situation is unique. Also copies of other
relevant documents, such as the Administrative Code, applicable by-laws and legislation.
Lohmann will begin to compile a list of issues raised so far during review to send out to
committee members in advance of the next meeting.
Adjournment. 5:35 pm
Respectfully submitted
Pamela Lohmann