HomeMy WebLinkAboutTGSCminutes20060711Town Government Study Committee
Draft Minutes, July 11, 2006
Land Bank Office
Call to Order. Chairman Reinhard called the twentyninth meeting of the Town
Government Study Committee to order at 8:05 am. Present were members Reinhard,
Gardner, Lohmann, Miller, Sevrens, and Willauer, and guest Bill Sherman.
Meeting with Town Counsel DeRensis. DeRensis had proposed a meeting for
Wednesday, July 19 at 4:00 pm, but several committee members had a conflict then.
Alternative suggestions were Thursday, July 20, in the morning, say 11:00 am, after his
Executive session meeting with the Board of Selectmen [BOS], or the morning of
Tuesday, July 18, if he is on island then. Reinhard will communicate with DeRensis and
email the committee members what is decided. Currently the next scheduled meeting of
the TGSC is Tuesday, July 18, at 4:00 pm in the Selectmen's meeting room.
Minutes. The minutes of July 3 were approved as submitted. Reinhard continues to find
the detail helpful.
Recommendations. Continuing the discussion of the topics on the list of the TGSC Draft
Recommendations, under Town Administration, the committee next took up the topic of
appointments to boards and commissions. The BOS has addressed their policy on
appointments. Sevrens noted that our recommendation to transfer appointment power for
nonregulatory boards to the Town Manager [TM] was intended to facilitate an increased
applicant pool. Willauer and Gardner were concerned with assuring openness and the
ability to monitor and review the functions of the boards. Miller felt that while the vetting
of applicants could be more private, once appointed, board members should be open to
the public. Also, she stressed that the mission of each board should be clearly
communicated, initially by the appointing authority, then refined by the committee chair.
This would facilitate the ability to assess the performance. Reinhard noted that
Sherman's suggestion of a "welcome package" of information on their task and goals for
board and committee members would be helpful.
Concerning BOS appointments, Willauer commented that the interviews of candidates
were useful, providing feedback and information to the BOS and the public. He was
pleased with the applicants for the Harbor and Sewer Committees and predicted they
would need additional advisory committees, such as for overall traffic review. Sevrens
commented that the BOS can create committees as needed. Reinhard, noting that the
BOS already has the power to create committees as needed, and that volunteers come
forward on topics of interest to them, questioned the need to institutionalize a process.
Lohmann suggested that among the criteria for appointments, such as insuring diversity
of views, the BOS should also consider appropriate expertise of candidates; Gardner
noted that the application forms ask for information on experience, which information
can be used in making appointments. Miller felt a standardized policy would help in not
frustrating the participation of talented applicants, a great resource.
Willauer was concerned that sometimes committees appointed by the TM needed more
visibility and attention, citing the current negotiations in the CATV committee. Reinhard
and Gardner felt the BOS had the ability to ask for reports and to focus attention on an
issue even for TMappointed committees. Miller felt that if the charge for the committees
is clarified, it is clearer to see if they are functioning as desired; if not, the BOS can create
a "blue ribbon" committee to address an issue. A BOS cyclical review of committees
would be beneficial, and an annual review within each committee. Sherman suggested
that when a committee leader steps down, he or she should pass on information to the
successor a sort of exit interview or debriefing.
Sevrens noted that the TGSC had taken the position that the TM office should be
stronger, and suggested asking the consultants and other town managers some who
make all appointments how they deal with openness and other questions raised.
Town Employees.
Regarding town employees serving on the BOS, there was consensus in the committee
that if a town employees is elected to the BOS, he or she should give up the town job, it
being a conflict of interest to "be one's own boss" and oversee one's own job. Gardner
said we should ask Town Counsel and our consultant how best to achieve this. Lohmann
added also how to define town employee; does it apply to parttime employees, for
instance? What about BOS members themselves? Reinhard noted this will likely be a
controversial proposal.
Regarding town employees serving on other boards and commissions, Lohmann
commented that without limiting citizens' participation unnecessarily, a general
prohibition of being in a position to oversee one's own job, as found in other town
charters, would be advisable to avoid conflict of interest. Gardner wondered whether a
conflict might apply to other interest than salary or financial interest, such as zoning
policy: another question for our consultants.
Sevrens raised the idea of appointing, rather than electing the HDC board. Reinhard felt it
is a statutory matter, but Sherman noted that the Charter changed the Planning Board
alternates to appointed positions, and could possibly change the HDC as well. Topic to be
continued at the next meeting, as well as compiling questions for Mr. DeRensis.
Adjournment. At 9:05 am
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Lohmann