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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTGSCminutes20060213Town Government Study Committee Minutes, February 13, 2006 Land Bank Office Call to Order. Chairman Reinhard called the fourteenth meeting of the Town Government Study Committee to order at 4:07 pm. Present were members Reinhard, Lohmann, Sevrens, and Topham. Minutes. The Minutes of the January 30th TGSC meeting with Mr. Bergman were approved as corrected. The Civic League minutes of their Forum have also been distributed. Discussion of January 30th meeting and Forum. Media Coverage was disappointing. Reinhard had three times confirmed that Plum TV would cover the Forum, but they didn't show up. However, Grant Sanders was there and has done a podcast of the event. The Newspapers also did not cover the Forum, but the Independent assured it will do so next week. Sevrens wished there had been more attention, especially to Bergman's comments about Town employees not serving on Boards and Commissions. The TGSC should increase efforts to alert the media to get coverage to generate public awareness and feedback, which is necessary to our work. Public Reaction from those who attended or heard about the forum has been positive, the only wish being for more time with Mr. Bergman. He is willing to answer additional questions we may have. Expenses. The only expenses so far have been for stationery materials and for Bergman's travel expenses, $164.93. Reinhard has paid these and has set up an account in the Town Administrator's office. He turned over the forms and information to Treasurer Topham. Sevrens asked whether our allocation would need to be renewed for next year; Topham will look into it. Meeting Schedule. Our next meetings will be February 27, March 13 and March 27. Preliminary Report. Reinhard has requested time on the Board of Selectmen [BOS]/County Commissioners [CC] agenda for March 22 to present a summary and a copy of our preliminary report. A draft will be due for our February 27th meeting. Reinhard distributed an initial draft of the introductory/background section of the report. Topham suggested to go directly to the substance of the report, and make it briefer, perhaps putting the background information in an addendum. We discussed having a brief, one or two-page abstract to list the main points and issues we want to raise, and a longer, more complete report. Sevrens reiterated that the committee will not be taking any positions yet on the issues, and asked what input Reinhard had gotten. He has made note of the comments made to him, but most are issues we already have brought up and have on our list. Hopefully the report will reflect the committee's concerns and will be a catalyst to generate more responses. Our list of issues, plus public comments, will form our work for the next year, leading to our final report in 2007. Lohmann noted we need to decide how to organize the abstract. Reinhard asked members to prioritize, write down, and circulate by e-mail our ideas for the abstract; he will collect the ideas for discussion at the next meeting. There had been some discussion of having Town Administrator Gibson speak to us at our next meeting, February 27th, but it was decided we will need the time to work on the report. Public Presentation Ideas. We discussed including the abstract of the report as an insert in the newspaper, as well as a possible opinion piece, and asking the Town Moderator to make note at Town Meeting [ATM] of the TGSC process. Our website and possible TV coverage will also bring public exposure. Discussion of Hiring a Consultant. We will address this decision after ATM, when we will have the preliminary report done and a list of question. Mr. Groux is still interested and comes with high recommendations. Topham would like to hear presentations from and possibly interview other possible consultants, although Lohmann noted time is limited; Sevrens wanted someone with experience with some larger towns. A consultant can help with advice on requirements, on alternative systems, with formulating questions for interviewees, and compiling a final report. Committee Assessment Review. Reinhard distributed a "Committee Member Self- Evaluation Form" from the Town Administrator's office and asked committee members to fill it out and return it to the TA's office; all committees are asked to do so. Adjournment. At 5:40 pm Respectfully submitted, Pamela Lohmann