HomeMy WebLinkAboutTGSCminutes20070115Town Government Study Committee
Minutes, January 15, 2007
Approved January 22, 2007
Land Bank Office
Call to Order. Chairman Reinhard called the fifty-third meeting of the Town Government Study
Committee to order at 4:00 pm. Present were members Reinhard, Gardner, Lohmann, Miller, Sevrens,
Topham; Willauer arrived at 4:55.
Minutes. The minutes of January 8 were approved as submitted.
Meeting Schedule. Reinhard announced that Town Administrator [TA] Libby Gibson will attend our
next meeting on Monday, January 22 at 1:00 pm to offer feedback on our advisory recommendations.
The TGSC will meet with the Board of Selectmen [BOS] for a workshop on Thursday, February 1 at
9:30 am. The next meeting after that will be Monday, February 5 at 1:00 pm; all will be in the Land
Bank Office. On Monday, February 19, the TGSC will hold a forum with the Nantucket Civic League
at 4:30 in the Great Hall of the Athenaeum. The forum will be televised. We will decide at our next
meeting whether to schedule additional meetings on January 29 and February 12.
Continued Consideration of the "Primary List of Issues and Recommendations." Picking up
where we left off last week, the TGSC reviewed the following items:
16. Communications Media. As in #10 previously, the committee agreed it would be good to use
innovative media for maximum dissemination of information. Topham suggested "regulatory" instead
of "key" boards. Miller suggested these points could be consolidated as bullet points under
"Communication."
17. Grant Writer. The committee felt it desirable for the town to hire a person with specialized
expertise in grant writing. This could be a separate position or as a job specification within another
position.
18. Representative to Seek Funding. The committee felt the town should look into the desirability of
retaining someone to represent the town in seeking government funding. A grantsman could help
somewhat with this. Some branches have already hired such a representative for specific purposes.
19. Staffing Efficiencies. With budget crunch, the town should look into efficient sharing of the
workforce, seeking to do more with fewer people better distributed. This may come about as part of
cyclical overall department reviews, as in #7 and #15, and be grouped under "Professional
Development."
20. Technology Consultant. While it is expensive to hire a professional technical communications
consultant, efficiencies would lead to savings and better communication. A possibility might be a
high school graduate with technological knowledge. A political and financial commitment would be
required. Has Town Meeting [ATM] approved money for communications?
21. Health Care. With rising health care costs, many communities are struggling; there have been
various efforts to reduce costs [a proposed Vineyard bill was cited]. The town should study various
alternatives to increase coverage and reduce costs, such as an island-wide group policy that allows
more people to buy into it. Greater contributions by beneficiaries and clearer reflection of medical
benefit costs in the budget are desirable. A topic to discuss with TA Gibson.
22. Coordinating Application Process. The idea would not be to shortcut the permitting process, but
to streamline it and make it clearer and more consistent, so an applicant would know the necessary
information and steps to take. Miller felt this could also come under good "Communications."
23. Professional Government Review. As with any professional organization, a review and
assessment of department structure and operation at regular intervals is desirable. This has happened
in the past. The TGSC review is in terms of a general overview; a detailed, professional evaluation is
also needed. [Group under professional development with #7 and #15?].
24. Publish Warrant Online. In addition to the Charter requirement for publication of the warrant in
newspapers, in the modern world it should also be published and accessible online. [This could also
be grouped under "Communications."]
25. Televise pre-ATM meetings of the Finance Committee [FinCom] and Planning Board [PB]. Also
under "Communications," the TGSC felt that providing public access to the discussions and review of
the warrant articles was important to inform the public and to streamline ATM. Lohmann and
Gardner also stressed that it is important for the TV stations and the newspapers to announce in
advance the schedule of these meetings and the broadcasts. A discussion followed on how to improve
public access TV: a surcharge to provide funding for equipment and personnel [how would the funds
be spent, who would run the station?]; training students for production help; seek more public service
contributions from the cable company and private operators; the town "sequestering" channels for its
use. Willauer noted that the cable contract it due for renewal.
26. Cooperation on Budgeting. Among BOS FinCom and School Committee. The TGSC is pleased
this is happening; topic needs no discussion.
27. Appointment Procedure Review. Ditto.
28. Conflict of Interest Policy. As a subtopic of #27, a policy or guidelines should be developed to
help avoid conflict pitfalls in making appointments. Willauer pointed out that the FinCom has very
strict special rules to avoid conflict. Another concern is to develop a policy for when it is appropriate
or not for town employees to attend meetings during work hours.
29. Rollover Contracts. While contracts are negotiated individually, perhaps there should be a town
policy on what to avoid in negotiating contracts; "infinite" rollover contracts are not desirable.
Another topic to discuss with TA Gibson.
30. Media Coverage of Contracts. It is desirable to get information on contracts to the media for
publication and public information.
31. List of Volunteers. Gardner noted this used to be done. Willauer cited one town's "talent bank."
This could be done electronically. Open positions would still be advertised, but a list would be
available to fill vacancies, especially when there are no applicants.
32. Exit Interviews. While committee personnel now fill out forms at the end of their terms, an exit
interview of employees would help with assessment of the operation of government. Miller noted it
would be important to have a clear idea what needs to be learned, how the information is to be used,
for the interview to be useful. Interviews might be conducted by the TA or Human Resources
director.
33. Code Enforcement. The TGSC felt active and consistent code enforcement is important,
notwithstanding funding issues.
Sevrens reiterated she would like information from consultant Groux concerning proposed legislation
on the Cape about town benefits for elected officials. Reinhard promised to ask about it.
Lohmann brought up two items on the "without recommendation" list [timing of the ATM and a
three-person majority]. Reinhard said he thought the committee decided they needed more study but
agreed to review them at the next meeting. Willauer noted the need sometimes to take urgent action
with the votes of only two BOS members at special "break out" meetings. While agreeing on the need
for the BOS to have time to hold workshops for detailed discussions, some committee members felt
official votes should be taken only at the regularly scheduled evening BOS meetings.
Future role of the TGSC. Reinhard noted that our proposed articles, if voted on at ATM, would then
be put on a ballot for the following year. Gardner observed that there would be a need to continue
discussion of the proposals during that year. Reinhard asked committee members to consider what
role the TGSC should play. Some terms would continue, others would expire, requiring
reappointment.
Adjournment. At 5:55 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Lohmann