HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 Annual ReportTOWN GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMITTEE
Annual Report, FY2006
Allen B. Reinhard, Chairman, at-large representative
Jack Gardner, Vice Chairman, at-large representative
Pam Lohmann, Secretary, Nantucket Civic League representative
Jeanette Topham, Treasurer, Nantucket Town Association representative
Jane Miller, School Committee representative
Nancy Severns, at-large representative
Whitey Willauer, Board of Selectmen representative
The Town Government Study Committee was formed by vote of Town Meeting
2005 with a mission and budget to study all aspects of Town and County
government on Nantucket. Our objective is to see if improvements can be made
in the operation and structure of local government, and the delivery of
government services to the community. The Board of Selectmen appointed four
members representing various constituencies, and three at-large members from
the community.
During the 2006 fiscal year, our committee held twenty-seven public meetings
during which we refined our mission, began identifying the issues and questions
relevant to our study, invited speakers, held a public forum in connection with the
Nantucket Civic League, hired a consultant and issued a preliminary report to
Town officials and the public prior to Annual Town Meeting 2006. Our committee
also established a web site (ackgovstudy.org) on which we post our detailed
minutes and other relevant data. After Town Meeting, we began compiling a list
of specific recommendations, distilled from our issues and questions, which will
be presented to voters at the 2007 ATM.
Our plan is to present the findings of our study in three areas: first, charter
change recommendations; second, recommendations needing a by-law or
warrant article approval; and third, general recommendations relating to policies
or department methods or structures. Our specific recommendations for change
will be supported by the rational we used to arrive at our recommendations. Our
Final Report and Recommendations will be presented in December 2006 for
discussion and debate prior to Town Meeting 2007. Any charter
recommendations will need to be passed by a two-thirds vote of Town Meeting
and ratified by a majority of voters at the next annual Town ballot in April 2008.
Warrant articles must be approved by a vote of Town Meeting and the Attorney
General. Policy recommendations are implemented at the will of the concerned
government officials.
Local government has three broad components: Voters and Town Meeting,
elected officials and appointed committees, and administration. Our committee is
studying and will make recommendations in each of these areas. We are
considering options to our present open Annual Town Meeting system of
government. We are looking closely at the role and responsibilities of the Board
of Selectmen and County Commissioners. We are examining the responsibilities
and position of Town Administrator to see how this position might be
strengthened. We are also examining the important role committees, boards and
commissions play in regulating, and advising on important community issues.
On Nantucket, registered voters are the ones who possess the greatest power
through their votes on candidates to represent them, their votes on ballot issues
and their votes on warrant articles at Town Meeting. An educated and informed
electorate is essential if local government is to operate in the best interests of our
community. Our committee was created by voters to put local government under
the microscope and see how we might improve its performance. Our hope is to
focus the attention of our political leaders and the voters and residents of
Nantucket on ways we can make our local government more effective and
responsive to ever increasing local needs.
Allen B. Reinhard, Chairman