HomeMy WebLinkAboutTGSCminutes20060815Town Government Study Committee
Minutes, August 15, 2006
Land Bank Office
Call to Order. Chairman Reinhard called the Thirtyfourth meeting of the Town
Government Study Committee to order at 4:10 pm. Present were members Reinhard,
Gardner, Lohmann, Miller, Sevrens, Topham, Sevrens, and Willauer, and guest Barnes.
Minutes. The minutes were approved as submitted. Reinhard advised that he had, as
noted in the minutes, asked Town Clerk Stover to contact the Attorney General regarding
two questions: whether we can change the title of Town Administrator to Town Manager
[TM] by Charter amendment; and whether we can schedule a vote on proposed changes
in the election following Town Meeting, rather than waiting a year. He expects an answer
soon.
Meeting with the Nonvoting Taxpayers Advisory Committee [NVTA]. Reinhard
reported he had met with the NVTA and summarized our activities and recommendations
so far and asked for comments. One suggestion was that providing leadership training
for chairs of boards and committees would be one way to strengthen government. A
consultant could provide training for chairs and vice chairs. Miller felt this would
encourage commitment and participation and help standardize procedures. Reinhard
made reference to the "welcome packet" suggestion for new board members. Lohmann
suggested a reference manual as follow up for training. Willauer noted that the BOS
conducts such training annually.
There was discussion of filing the minutes of all bodies officially with the Town Clerk
and maintaining them electronically, with links to the town web site, to facilitate public
access and the ability to follow the committees' actions easily. TV coverage would also
be good.
Another comment from the NVTA was critical of some members of boards and
committees who spend extended time away during the winter. The administrative policy
of the chair or the appointing body [BOS or TM] should be to discourage extended
absences. Removal for nonattendance can be difficult. It was noted with approval that
the current BOS questionnaire for applicants asks about attendance, and the reporting
process makes it easier to keep track. Of course elected officials can only be removed
through recall.
Reinhard also reported that he had spoken about the TGSC activities to the Nantucket
Civic League [NCL] at their annual meeting. He had received some comments about
streamlining town operations and long term financial planning and budgeting. Willauer
noted that the costs of the sewer facility had increased due to unanticipated market
conditions, but Miller felt that budgets should allow for unexpected contingencies.
Recommendations. Turning to the draft list of recommendations, the TGSC addressed
the matters on which we need more information [page 2]. It was agreed to ask the
consultant what other towns do regarding the number of signatures required to put an
article on the warrant. The list of appointments, with the changes we agreed upon last
meeting, should be reviewed individually by the consultant. The committee felt it was not
advisable to stipulate additional qualifications for the position of TM beyond what is in
the Charter. The BOS will set its standards and expectations when it advertises the
position. With regard to an open process for appointments, the TGSC applauded the
BOS for developing and publicizing clearer procedures for making their appointments. It
was felt the TM should also make clear the procedure for the appointments made by the
TM, while maintaining the privacy of candidates as much as possible. Reinhard will
contact Keith Bergman and ask how this is handled in Provincetown. The appropriate
procedure can be tied to the shift in appointment powers.
The TGSC did not wish to pursue the proposal of combining Town and County
governments at this time, feeling that it was desirable to maintain county status. The
question of the effects triggered by a population of over 10,000 needs further
clarification. DeRensis pointed out that there would no longer be the option of
designating "Special Municipal Employees." However, it was not clear whether it would
require a change in the form of government [say, to Mayor/Council] or Town Meeting
[say, to Representative Town Meeting], or only permit the option of change. The
consultants should be asked to indicate all that would be triggered by exceeding 10,000
population. With respect to the relationship of the Sheriff with local government,
Willauer noted that the Finance Director must approve expenditures, which must meet
the guidelines. Beyond that the TGSC felt it did not have jurisdiction to take a position.
Regarding the suggestion that the Charter might be modified to require additional
approvals beyond the Planning Board for the 4181D Master Plan [MP], it was felt that
the MP would be in place before any changes could take effect. Any zoning bylaws to
implement the MP must come before Town Meeting anyway. However, since the MP is
not in place, it is not clear how the currently proposed zoning bylaws relate to the MP.
Discussing the balance between responsiveness and efficiency of government, it was felt
that stronger, more centralized management was needed for a town of our size. One
suggestion was to change the Planning Board from an elected board to an appointed
board. How to accomplish this was another question for the consultants.
Future Plans. Reinhard proposed inviting BOS members individually to attend a
meeting for a brief period to offer their suggestions; the members agreed. Timeline for
future meetings: October 1 Final list of Recommendations
November 1 Draft of Final Report
December 1 Warrant Articles, Bylaws, Charter Amendments
January to April Educate community, promote recommendations
The closing of the warrant is a fixed date, the others flexible. There will be public
forums.
The next scheduled meeting is September 11, but that may conflict with a Civic League
meeting. We will want to continue to meet weekly in September: the 5 th and 18 th were
proposed as well as the 25 th . At the next meeting we will continue with the items on the
list. In September we will meet with the Selectmen, DeRensis and Groux. Reinhard will
contact Bergman. Lohmann asked if there had been any response from Groux so far.
Topham asked about expenses so far.
Adjournment. At 5:45
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Lohmann