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Home My Public Portal About20160928 - Charter Commission - Meeting Minutes HOPKINTON CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE September 28, 2016 Town Hall, Lower Level Minutes 1. Call to Order: Chair Pam Waxlax opened the meeting at 7:00 PM with the following members present: Pam Waxlax Michelle Murdock Rick Flannery Beth Herlihy Todd Cestari Jean Bertschmann Absent: Curt Cooprider Also Present: Ray Miyares, Town Counsel Eric Reustle, Associate Town Counsel 2. Community Input – Members of the community are invited to share ideas, state opinions or ask questions. There was no community input. 3. Acceptance of Minutes The Committee reviewed the draft minutes from the meeting of September 14, 2016. On a motion from Todd Cestari, seconded by Jean Bertschmann the minutes were approved. VOTE: Favor: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1 The draft minutes from the September 19, 2016 meeting / public forum were not available in time for the Committee to adequately review the lengthy document so the Committee decided to defer the vote on these minutes until the meeting of October 12, 2016. It was noted that HCAM has provided a link to the video created at the forum which members of the public may access. The committee did discuss the content that should be included in the minutes and determined that a high level of detail which provided specifics on both the speaker and comments made was optimal. Charter Review Committee - Minutes 9-28-2016 Page 2 4. Review Comments from Board of Selectmen Questionnaire and Additional Comments from Personnel Committee Chair Pam Waxlax opened discussion for review of the comments received from the Board of Selectmen questionnaire and additional comments from the Personnel Committee. The Committee discussed having language that would speak to personnel practices of the Town added to the beginning of the Charter that spoke to the values of Town. Town Counsel advised that they could provide legally appropriate language to present to the Committee. On a motion from Jean Bertschmann, seconded by Beth Herlihy the Committee voted to have the Town Counsel’s office add personnel language to the draft of the charter to be brought forward in town meeting. VOTE: Favor: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1 The Committee reviewed the comments received from the Board of Selectmen questionnaire. The Committee reviewed the additional comments from the Personnel Committee. 5. Review and analyze input from the public forum on 9/19/16 The Committee reviewed the input that we received from the 11 residents who attended the Public Forum on Monday September 19, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the HCAM Studio at 77 Main Street as well as the 2 residents who emailed the comments or questions. 6. Begin discussion of proposed changes to the current charter The Committee began a discussion of proposed changes to the Charter. The Committee reviewed the Town Elections for the past 10 years. What was observed is that many of the elections had candidates who ran unopposed. The Committee reviewed the data from the benchmark communities that showed what comparable communities with charters and town manager form of government do regarding elected vs. appointed positions. The Committee discussed several boards and positions in regard to p osition on keeping them as elected boards. Charter Review Committee - Minutes 9-28-2016 Page 3 The Committee discussed that the following Boards or Positions should remain elected. - Board of Selectmen - Town Moderator - Planning Board - School Committee - Housing Authority ( Which is comprised of 4 Elected by the Town and 1 State Appointed Position) - Board of Assessors - Board of Health - Parks and Recreation Commission The Committee discussed that it was leaning to have the Cemetery Commission change from an Elected Board to an Appointed Board but needed to investigate this further before ultimate decision. The Committee discussed the Commissioner of Trust Funds and Library Board of Trustees and determined that more information was needed on each before the Committee could discuss further. The Committee discussed the position of Constable and is leaning towards having this position become an appointed position by the Board of Selectmen. The Committee discussed the Town Clerk position. The Committee discussed that it needed more information regarding the benefits and drawbacks of this position being elected or appointed and will discuss this in detail at the next meeting. 7. Other Business There was no other business. 8. Adjourn On a motion made by Todd Cestari seconded by Beth Herlihy, the Committee voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 PM. VOTE: Favor: 6 Against: 0 Absent: 1 Charter Review Committee - Minutes 9-28-2016 Page 4 Documents reviewed and attached herewith: Questionnaire Response from Board of Selectmen Personnel Committee Additional Input Comments from Charter Review Public Forum Compilation of Questionnaire Responses Benchmark Communities Elected vs. Appointed Elections Last 10 years Next Meetings: October 12, 2016 7:00 PM October 26, 2016 7:00 PM November 9, 2016 7:00 PM November 21, 2016 7:00 PM November 30, 2016 7:00 PM December 7, 2016 7:00 PM (Public Forum) December 14, 2016 7:00 PM January 11, 2017 7:00 PM January 25, 2017 7:00 PM February 8, 2017 7:00 PM February 13, 2017 7:00 PM (Special Town Meeting) February 14, 2017 7:00 PM (Special Town Meeting, if needed) February 15, 2017 7:00 PM (Special Town Meeting, if needed) Draft Board of Selectmen Responses to Charter Review Committee Questionnaire Board of Selectmen September 13 Meeting September 9, 2016 1. Have you encountered problems/issues with rules in the current Town Charter that have affected your ability to do your job? If yes, please explain in detail. a) Verify that Section 1-6 of the Charter acknowledges authority assigned to the Board of Selectmen by MGLs enacted after the Charter was adopted by the Town, such as the ability to regionalize and sign joint powers or inter-municipal agreements. b) Reconcile the Town Report publication date with town meeting schedule. c) Per MGL, assign Town Meeting warrant oversight to the town’s chief executive board. d) Formalize current practice regarding Board of Selectmen’s authority as alcohol licensing authority. 2. Are there other sections of the Town Charter, not necessarily specific to your position where you can feel changes are needed? If yes, please detail. a. Address the ambiguities regarding filling vacancies in general and specific to the town clerk; and whether outgoing appointed board members can continue until a vacancy is filled. b. Confirm the Town’s recall provision. c. Strengthen town manager role with respect to (1) appointments of Town officers, boards, committees, subordinates and employees; (2) supervision of Town employees; (3) removal of persons over whom the Town Manager has appointment authority; (4) the budget process; and (5) contract execution. d. Remove references to staff positions, such as Finance Director/Town Accountant, from the Charter. 3. How effective is the current budget process and timeline established by the Town Charter? Overall, the budget process works fine but the timelines need to be improved for effectiveness and efficiency. a. The Charter should clarify the role and purpose of the budget message set by the Board of Selectmen. b. The budget calendar should be adjusted to allow adequate time for Town Manager to collate all budgets (operating and capital, town and schools) to be better able to prepare a comprehensive budget and for Board of Selectmen to review, building consensus and finalize the budget. This will entail starting the budget calendar a month earlier and adjusting each deadline in the budget calendar in the same manner. c. The budget calendar, town meeting warrant calendar and CPC/CIC schedules need to be better aligned to allow for the timely preparation of the comprehensive budget. Currently, capital requests can be filed through the town warrant after the budget process has closed. d. The Town should balance the need to review the budget early and often with the lack of concrete or quality data on key revenues (such as state aid) and budget drivers (such as health insurance, mandates, etc.) to improve the linkages between budget inputs and outcomes. a. Who prepares your budget? Town Manager b. Are you able to work within and meet the budget guidelines currently in place? Yes but it is always a scramble, especially, the Board has felt rushed in the most recent years. c. How well does the current budget process work? Fairly well. The Board of Selectmen set the budget message, Town Manager prepares the budget with input from Department Heads/Committees/Boards, presents it to the Board of Selectmen who in turn, finalize and pass the budget to the Appropriations Committee for presentation and legislative approval at Town Meeting. The public participates throughout the process. d. Do you think the budget process could be improved, and if so, in what way? a. Start the calendar one month earlier; b. Provide the Board of Selectmen more review time; c. Increase the effectiveness of public participation methods and means; d. Require budget to be tied to organization mission; and e. Improve and better coordinate capital planning. 4. What are your feelings with respect to elected vs. appointed positions as currently detailed in the Town Charter? a. Board of Selectmen have supported changing town clerk position from elected to appointed when this matter came before town meeting. 5. Should the Charter require rotation of board/committee chairs on an annual or other periodic basis? a. Yes, to create more opportunities for leadership in the community, foster renewal of ideas through new leadership and uphold the integrity of the democratic institutions of the Town (no one can keep control indefinitely). However, the Board also respects the individual town boards’ authority to develop their own operating procedures. 6. Do you have any other comments or suggested changes to the Town Charter? a. Delete reference to compensation for elected board members. •Hopkinton can recruit for a qualified individual who meets the job requirements by experience, education and reference checks •Appointed increases pool of qualified candidates •Role will be part subject to Town’s employment policies and structure •Role will be subject to performance management oversight, annual evaluations and defined objectives •Required to meet and maintain professional certifications •Role will be subject to defined salary structure •Reduces risk of Town liability if TC is an employee versus elected Rationale: Town Clerk -Appointed Position Personnel Committee, 2016 Comments from Charter Review Public Forum – 9/19/16 Question 1 – Elected vs Appointed: What revisions would you propose for the charter with respect to elected or appointed boards, committees or officials and how would that change improve the government of the Town? Additionally, are there any boards, committees or officials that should remain as currently defined in the charter and what are the benefits of maintaining the status quo?  Keep town clerk elected  Add back elected Treasurer  Elected officials are more open and transparent  Make BoS and SC 7 member boards, rather than current 5 members  Keep all elected positions as is, felt ATM had it’s say last May regarding Town Clerk and keeping it elected  Increase in appointed positions would have less incentive for people to go to the polls, involve less public input and have less accountability to the town  Already many more appointed positions versus elected. Keeping them elected will maintain checks and balances on power  Against consolidation of power – New England town and should maintain New England traditions  If more positions made appointed, there would be even more bureaucracy in Town Hall, which already has too much  DPW Advisory Committee should be re-established  Constable, Commissioners of the Trust Fund, Cemetery Commission and Housing Authority do not need to be elected  Making a position elected does not always mean that you will find the best person for the job  Needing a particular skill set should not be a requirement for a position  We are starting to see more people want to get engaged in elections and run for office  Keep as is since participating in the election process for “junior positions” can be a stepping stone for people to get involved with more senior/significant positions  Recruiting for candidates is hard; many elected positions are not contested  Without two party system which is specific to Hopkinton, possibility for no contested races  Cannot get diversity on boards with only elected positions Question 2 – Board Support Reporting Structure: Do you think the current amount of centralized authority can be improved and, if so, how? If you don’t think there should be changes, how is the current method working well for the town?  Boards should be able to hire their own support staff and retain control over their agent  Centralized supervision would be OK  Consolidation of power creates more town positions  Agents hired by and reporting to a board are more customer service oriented  Staff is more accountable when it reports to a board  Existing format works well  Centralizing administrative management of staff is fine but strategic planning needs input from the board  There is inherent conflict in staff reporting to the Town Manager and supervising board Question 3 – Budget Process: Do you think the current process of creating the budget can be improved and, if so, how? If you don’t think there should be changes, how is the current method working well for the town?  More transparency in the budgets is needed  Return to line by line review of the budget at Town Meeting  Town Manager should work with School Committee to develop good budget proposal and have more control over it  Would like to see the creation of a grant writing position  Budget needs to be available at least one week before Town Meeting  Budget presentation should break out budget by departments and include more detail such as year over year increase  Budgets should follow zero-based budgeting approach  Appropriation Committee should approve intra-departmental transfers between labor and expense categories  Prior year budget reconciliations should be presented at ATM  More discipline in the budget process is desired. Town Manager and finance director should be responsible for oversight of the budget  Departments need to be able to justify budget line items  Debt service ratio targets should be established to help keep spending in line  Streamlining the budget has not been beneficial. Breaking out the budget and presenting it in sections would provide ability to better discuss budget at ATM  The budget process should be stricter and more information should be available  Town Manager should have more fiscal control Question 4 – TM Warrant: What are the advantages or disadvantages for allowing this to remain as currently allowed in the charter?  Current process works  Citizens petition must be protected  Timeline for submitting capital articles (currently March 31) should be moved up to a January or February deadline Question 5: Are there any other comments about the charter that the public would like to share at this time that haven’t been addressed yet?  Should keep the recall provision in the charter 1 Questionnaire Responses Page 1 - Question 1: Have you encountered problems/issues with rules in the current Town Charter that have affected your ability to do your job? If yes, please explain in detail. Page 4 - Question 2: Are there other sections of the Town Charter, not necessarily specific to your position, where you feel changes are needed? If yes, please detail. Page 6 - Question 3: How effective is the current budget process and timeline established by the Town Charter? Page 11 - Question 4: What are your feelings with respect to elected vs. appointed positions as currently detailed in the Town Charter? Page 13 - Question 5: Should the Charter require rotation of board/committee chairs on an annual or other periodic basis? Page 15 - Question 6: Do you have any other comments or suggested changes to the Town Charter? Question 1: Have you encountered problems/issues with rules in the current Town Charter that have affected your ability to do your job? If yes, please explain in detail. Fire Chief: No I have not. Director of Land Use and Town Operations: No Board of Library Trustees: Since we did not exist when the charter was last updated, our thought was that you could insert the wording from the town page for library trustees, as follows: “The Hopkinton Public Library’s Board of Trustees is a five-member elected board responsible for overseeing the library for the benefit of the community. Working closely with the library director, members are responsible for establishing library policies and plans, determining the final budget and conducting public relations. The board meets on the third Thursday, from September through June.” Cemetery Commission: we do not feel any changes are in order for the way in which the Cemetery Commission is constituted, organized, or elected. Despite its small size (3 members), we have not had difficulty getting the work done, and sometimes the small number allows quick action when needed. Sometimes, the larger the number, the harder it is to set up meetings & get a quorum. I think the small number also engenders a degree of commitment among the members. In my 11 yrs. on this board, all of us have felt a strong responsibility to our duties, as a team. Principal Assessor: The current charter indicates: Section 3-8: Board of Assessors Composition, Term of Office – There shall be a Board of Assessors consisting of three (3) members elected for a term of three (3) years each, so arranged that the term of office of as nearly an equal number of members shall expire each year. Powers and Duties – The Board of Assessors shall perform the functions and duties required by the general laws for Boards of Assessors except the duties which are performed by the Principal Assessor as established by this Charter in Section 5-4. 2 The Board of Assessors should perform all of their statutory duties as required by the General Laws and the Division of Local Services of the Department of Revenue, but should also be permitted to discuss any and all issues that relate to value. Board of Health: In accordance with Section 5-1 of the Town Charter Organization of Town Agencies (b) Administrative Order, the Town Manager may from time to time prepare as an administrative order a plan of organization or reorganization of Town departments, agencies or officers over which he has control or he deems necessary or advisable for the orderly, efficient and convenient conduct of Town Business. During the consolidation and creation of the Land Use and Permitting Department for FY 2010 which was deem necessary the elimination and consolidation of staff had a profound effect on the Board of Health by reducing the workforce to one full time employee. As is noted by the Massachusetts Associated Health Boards “….under Massachusetts General Laws, State and Local regulations and community direction, Boards of Health are responsible for disease prevention and control, and health and environmental protection and promoting a healthy community. Boards of Health serve as the local arm of both the Mass. Department of Public Health and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection…..they develop, implement and enforce health policies, oversee inspections to maintain minimum standards … and insure the basic needs of the community are being met”. As the Charter’s original purpose is to enhance effectiveness and move day to day activities from part-time volunteers to full time staff this section seems to conflict with the important responsibilities of the elected Board of Health as well as Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 111 Section 30 which permits the elected Board of Health to appoint agents or directors to act for them with all the authority of the elected Board and directly are responsible to it alone under its direction and control. To clarify this section of the Charter to avoid conflict with a Department that the Town Manager does not control the Board of Health suggest that Section 5-1: Organization of Town Agencies (b) Administrative Order, 1 be modified to include the Board of Health as a department, like the School Department, Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works exempt from the actions of the Town Manager through this section. (See attached document as to change to the section) School Committee: The School Committee did not take a position on this question. Appropriation Committee: No Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector: No Police Chief: No Parks & Rec Director: I have not encountered any problems or issues with rules in the current Town Charter that have affected my ability to perform my job. Planning Board: Yes, only a small one. The PB is responsible for hiring the Town Planner which is still Elaine. When Jennifer was hired as the Principal Planner (new position) , the hiring was done by Elaine and Norman without any input from the Planning Board. Now that Elaine is being moved into other responsibilities, Norman and Elaine figured that Jennifer was now the Town Planner without any input from the Planning Board. A little awkward but the PB are working with Jennifer and plan to vote on her later in the year if all are happy with her work on the PB. Need to have input to annual reviews for the Town Planner. Town Clerk Retired: No 3 DPW Director: No CIC: No Town Clerk: 3-1 (e) 1. If vacancy occurs in Town Clerk … BOS shall appoint a suitable person 3-7 (c) The Assistant Town Clerk shall serve as Town Clerk…. Personnel Comm: I found no reference to the Personnel Committee in the Town Charter. The Open Meeting Laws prohibiting the Committee from meeting / discussing/ making decisions by email or phone impacts our ability to be efficient. We meet monthly. Parks & Rec Comm: No. The process runs well now. Marathon Comm: N/A Board of Assessors: It’s OK now Board of Selectmen: a) Verify that Section 1-6 of the Charter acknowledges authority assigned to the Board of Selectmen by MGLs enacted after the Charter was adopted by the Town, such as the ability to regionalize and sign joint powers or inter-municipal agreements. b) Reconcile the Town Report publication date with town meeting schedule. c) Per MGL, assign Town Meeting warrant oversight to the town’s chief executive board. d) Formalize current practice regarding Board of Selectmen’s authority as alcohol licensing authority. 4 Question 2: Are there other sections of the Town Charter, not necessarily specific to your position, where you feel changes are needed? If yes, please detail. Fire Chief: No, I am new to the application of the charter and have found it effective with my dealings within the town. Director of Land Use and Town Operations: Yes – The reference to the Town Planner, and its appointment by the Planning Board in Section 3-6, for the following reasons: 1. The position of “Town Planner” did not exist when the Charter was approved, as it had been changed to a position called “Planning Director” several years earlier. So the Charter did not reference the name of a current position in existence in 2006. In addition, things have changed since then. There are two professional Planners working for the Town now, so it causes unnecessary confusion as to which one is “the town planner”. I don’t think the Town needs to designate someone who is the “Town Planner”. It is more important to ensure that the Town has professional planners on staff who can undertake all of the work that is required and provide support to the Planning Board, regardless of title. 2. I think that professional planning staff should be appointed by the Town Manager instead of the Planning Board. At the time the Charter was adopted, I had no strong feeling either way, but after working under it for 10 years I recommend the change. I believe the change is needed because of the size of the town and the complexity of issues that we must deal with. There is virtually nothing that we do that is done in our respective departments alone. Almost everything is collaborative or needs input or feedback from another department or board before it can be finalized. For that reason, isolating an employee in a silo under an independently elected board can hurt the overall effectiveness of the organization. While most boards and employees in that situation understand that they need to work within the overall administrative framework of the Town and will do that, it isn’t necessarily always the case. The change will also clarify accountability. Some people have expressed the belief that an employee is accountable only to the board or individual (Town Manager) who appoints them, but in reality, the employee is accountable to the public at large. Being appointed by the Town Manager doesn’t remove accountability, it makes it clearer that the employee is accountable to the general public and must be part of a collaborative team. Appointment by an independent board tends to lead to the belief that the employee is accountable only to that board. Board of Library Trustees: No Cemetery Commission: No Principal Assessor: No Board of Health: The Town Charter allows the appointment of the Animal Control Officer by the Town Manager. The Animal Control Officer is also the Animal Inspector. A municipality (Selectman/Town Manager) will nominate an Animal Inspector however, that individual is actually appointed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 129, sections 15 and 16 by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health Director. School Committee: The School Committee would like to see greater clarity around the roles, responsibilities and timelines for CIC and Appropriations, as well as an i nclusion and clarification of the role of CAMP. Appropriation Committee: No 5 Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector: No Police Chief: No Parks & Rec Director: I don’t see a need for changes in the Town Charter at this time. Planning Board: None from the Planning Board Town Clerk Retired: Town Clerk should be an appointed position DPW DIrector: No CIC: No Town Clerk: No Personnel Comm: I / we believe the Town Clerk should be an appointed position. Parks & Rec Comm: No Marathon Comm: N/A Board of Assessors: I actually feel some small committee’s should be elected. The Town’s people are feeling somewhat disenfranchised a few more elected positions i.e. Historical Commission would bring people to the polls. Board of Selectmen: a. Address the ambiguities regarding filling vacancies in general and specific to the town clerk; and whether outgoing appointed board members can continue until a vacancy is filled. b. Confirm the Town’s recall provision. c. Strengthen town manager role with respect to (1) appointments of Town officers, boards, committees, subordinates and employees; (2) supervision of Town employees; (3) removal of persons over whom the Town Manager has appointment authority; (4) the budget process; and (5) contract execution. d. Remove references to staff positions, such as Finance Director/Town Accountant, from the Charter. 6 Question 3: How effective is the current budget process and timeline established by the Town Charter? A. Who prepares your budget? B. Are you able to work within and meet the budget guidelines currently in place? C. How well does the current budget process work? D. Do you think the budget process could be improved, and if so, in what way? Fire Chief: A. I do B. Yes C. OK D. Yes, I have not experienced a connection between the initial annual budget policy and the mission or strategies of the department Director of Land Use and Town Operations: A. a. I prepare the department budget in consultation with department employees and some of the boards that are served by the Land Use Dept. B. Yes C. It works well D. I would like to see the budget process concluded earlier, at least 2 weeks prior to town meeting, with all committee voting completed. That way, all town meeting documents can be finished and available to the public earlier. Board of Library Trustees: Do not participate in the budget process Cemetery Commission: Not really applicable. Our "budget" is really just a small allowance for incidental expenses, such as needing to get some deeds reprinted, etc. We don't really have any annual expenses as a rule. Principal Assessor: A. Prepared by the Principal Assessor with the assistance of the Finance Director and with the advice of the members of the Board of Assessors. B. Generally yes. However, the Assessor’s office is under-staffed and extremely busy and the more time for the budget process the better. C. Fine. D. No answer supplied Board of Health: The timeline is acceptable, but the details of the budget and expenses are not clear. As details become more important with the complexity and costs of the operations of the Town more detailed information should be provided. A. The Director of the Board of Health prepares the proposed Budget in accord with the budget message from the Board of Selectman. The elected Board reviews and approves the proposed budget at a regular meeting. It is then forwarded to the Town Manager and Chief Financial Officer for review and approval. B. The Board of Health is able to work within the current time guidelines. C. The current process has become less and less open with little opportunity to discuss and advocate for the proposed department budget. While the Selectmen established a budget 7 message (generally level funded) which the Board of Health has followed there are selective reductions in the approved budget after it has been review by the Town Manager. These reductions have resulted in delay of implementing Town Meeting authorized staff funding and program administration. In previous budget cycles the Board after review of the Selectmen’s Budget Message has determined operating expenses and staff necessary to meet State mandates. For FY 2014 the Board of Health was advised by the Town Manager that all 53E ½ funds would be eliminated for this fiscal year and all revenue returned directly to the Town’s General Fund. Only the Board of Health revolving account was eliminated. Although some funding from the account was transferred to the departments operating budget it was below the amount necessary to meet all contractual obligations for the food, sewage disposal and nursing program. The Chairman of the Board of Health indicated during this process after discussions with the Town Manager that this was the only way that a necessary position would be added within the department. For FY 2015 the Town Manager reduced by half funding for a necessary staff position that had been vetted through the Department and Human Resources strategic initiates and operational goals program. During FY 15 the Town Manager delayed the release of advertising for the position by revising the job description and reclassifying the position to a lower level position. This effect was to prevent an authorized position by Town meeting for FY 2015 and delaying it 13 months until the position was filled early in the FY 2016 fiscal year. It should be noted that the department had one full time employee during this period. D. An elected Board should be allowed to establish a budget that properly funds the required services. In difficult times that Board should have an opportunity to determine what and where reductions should be made. School Committee: A. The Finance Director, Superintendent, Principals, Central Office Administrators and School Committee all collaborate to prepare the school department budget. B. Yes. We adhere to the schedule as identified in the Charter, but do not feel the timeline works well. Please see below. C. The budget timeline sets up a particular challenge for the School Committee. We essentially work in a vaccum, with little to no information from Town Hall regarding the financial forecast for the town. We would like to see the whole process start later, to allow for better information regarding free cash, new growth, and state aid. We would like greater transparency and collaboration from Town Hall during the process. In addition, greater clarity/allegiance is needed regarding the budget message. Under the current timeline, the budget message is not delivered until after the school department begins its budget work, in October. D. The Committee is very interested in hearing about the budget processes in other towns which might be used as a model for Hopkinton. We are committed to working collaboratively with the town to construct a budget that supports all services in town, but feel that the current process does not provide for enough information and collaborative meetings to support that goal. Appropriation Committee: A. N/A B. Yes C. It works as well as can be expected, given time constraints D. Not answered Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector: A. Responsible for overall budget 8 B. Yes but late budget deadlines cause potential issues at the last minute C. It could be improved with earlier deadlines D. Ways to help budget a. Earlier deadlines would help i. Town Manager to establish budget schedule 9/1 instead of 10/1 ii. Board of Selectmen policy statement 9/1 instead of 11/1 iii. Department heads submit budgets to Town Manager 11/1 instead of 1/1 (This would not include School Department but would allow Schools to have better idea of amount available for their budget) iv. Town Manager submits to Board of Selectmen 1/1 instead of 3/1 v. Board of Selectmen submit to Appropriation 2/1 instead of 3/15 b. As much as I appreciate the CIC the work of Appropriations duplicates the CIC and the CIC s/b eliminated. The actual capital items s/b submitted at the same time as the budget and go through the same processes. Police Chief: A. I prepare the budget along with my staff. B. Yes. C. This is my second budget and I have yet to have had an issue. D. No. Parks & Rec Director: I think the current budget process established by the Town Charter is fairly effective. A. I prepare the budget for Parks & Rec. with guidance from the elected Parks & Rec. commissioners, and support from the Town Finance Director. B. Yes, I am able to work within and meet the budget guidelines currently in place. C. I believe the current budget process works fairly well. D. There should be continuous improvement in any budget process. Elected officials and department heads should review and analyze the budget process each year to look for ways to more accurately and effectively budget the town’s spending. My sense is that elected officials are more concerned with perception instead of reality at times. This could be a detriment if there is no review process in place. Planning Board: Need to finish preparation of information for Annual Town Meeting earlier so have time for public information. A. Director of Land Use B. Yes Very small budget and most of PB funds are revolving account C. Good for PB, last year we got more money than we asked for. D. Get it done earlier. Also there is little oversight into spending do to complete flexibility to transfer money from salary accounts to expenses. If you do not hire a replacement right away then you build up the "slush" funds. Town Clerk Retired: A. Prepared the budget for both the Town Clerk and Elections, Personnel Committee sets the Town Clerk salary B. Not necessarily as election expenses can be variable and might not be known when budgets are set (number of elections held and unforeseen changes to election location) C. Hard to communicate needs of office during the budget process (assistant needed) 9 D. Yes, recognize importance of office’s needs versus budget constraints. Elections are biggest potential liability, but street census also causes needs for consistent workers. Office’s needs relate to state requirements and large growth in town. DPW Director: A. DEPARTMENT MANAGERS SUBMIT A DRAFT BUDGET TO ME AND I SUBMIT THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET TO THE TOWN MANAGER. B. YES. C. WORKS VERY WELL FOR THE DPW. D. IT WORKS VERY WELL FOR THE DPW IN ITS CURRENT FORMAT. CIC: A. N/A B. N/A C. It works alright D. I think it would be better if the budgets process can conclude earlier than it currently does. It seems like CIC is always meeting just before town meeting to vote on last minute items. Town Clerk: A. Town Clerk prepares budget for Town Clerk and for Elections B. Very difficult for preparation of Elections. Although we agree with protecting the safety of students, due to requests from School for signage, additional police, etc can lead to unplanned for expenditures. If Special Town Meetings/Elections are called creates added expense. Questions provoking interests may require additional staffing expenditures etc. C. Clear process D. Office needs based on growth of town must be met due to MGL in regards to public record law changes (reduction in fees) Election Law changes – We won’t know about requirements for Early Voting until this summer when new laws are finalized in preparation for first application in November, 2016 Personnel Comm: We don’t prepare budgets. We propose recommendation for Town Clerk salary on an annual basis Parks & Rec Comm: The process is effective now. It is necessary to have a P&R director in place that has a financial accumen. A. P&R Director prepares the budget based on guidance from commission leadership and support from the commission B. Yes C. It was a struggle through the years since we had limited reporting from financial systems and full time leadership that did not have budgeting experience. D. An earlier start would always be better. Marathon Comm: N/A Board of Assessors: A. The Assessor prepares and Board reviews and makes changes or OK’s the budget. 10 B. Yes C. It’s OK D. A little more time would help. Board of Selectmen: Overall, the budget process works fine but the timelines need to be improved for effectiveness and efficiency. a. The Charter should clarify the role and purpose of the budget message set by the Board of Selectmen. b. The budget calendar should be adjusted to allow adequate time for Town Manager to collate all budgets (operating and capital, town and schools) to be better able to prepare a comprehensive budget and for Board of Selectmen to review, building consensus and finalize the budget. This will entail starting the budget calendar a month earlier and adjusting each deadline in the budget calendar in the same manner. c. The budget calendar, town meeting warrant calendar and CPC/CIC schedules need to be better aligned to allow for the timely preparation of the comprehensive budget. Currently, capital requests can be filed through the town warrant after the budget process has closed. d. The Town should balance the need to review the budget early and often with the lack of concrete or quality data on key revenues (such as state aid) and budget drivers (such as health insurance, mandates, etc.) to improve the linkages between budget inputs and Outcomes. A. Town Manager B. Yes but it is always a scramble, especially, the Board has felt rushed in the most recent years. C. Fairly well. The Board of Selectmen set the budget message, Town Manager prepares the budget with input from Department Heads/Committees/Boards, presents it to the Board of Selectmen who in turn, finalize and pass the budget to the Appropriations Committee for presentation and legislative approval at Town Meeting. The public participates throughout the process. D. a. Start the calendar one month earlier; b. Provide the Board of Selectmen more review time; c. Increase the effectiveness of public participation methods and means; d. Require budget to be tied to organization mission; and e. Improve and better coordinate capital planning. 11 Question 4: What are your feelings with respect to elected vs. appointed positions as currently detailed in the Town Charter? Fire Chief: I do agree with the position that appointments are more appropriate. Director of Land Use and Town Operations: Whether specific boards or officials should be elected or appointed I leave to residents. That being said, any positions that require specialized knowledge or education, or there is significant risk to the Town if the duties are not performed appropriately, should be appointed. Board of Library Trustees: satisfied with the election process and length of term Cemetery Commission: keeping it an elected board, vs. appointed, is a good thing. It is directly attached to providing a required municipal service and therefore, although the casual observer may think this board is insignificant, it has an important responsibility to the public. It is important that it retain the autonomy of an elected board, less subject to possible efforts at control or manipulation. Should a vacancy occur in one of the elected positions, the appointment mechanism still exists to fill the unexpired term until the next election, so that the board can continue to function with full membership. Principal Assessor: I think the Board of Assessors should be elected. An elected person is someone who has given considerable thought to the position, is interested in town government, and has determined that they have the interest and the time to serve. Board of Health: The Board of Health should remain an elected body as noted in the Charter and as determined by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 111, sections 27 and 30 shall appoint agents or directors and fix their salary or other compensation. School Committee: The School Committee did not take a position on thi s question. Appropriation Committee: No opinion Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector: No opinion Police Chief: N/A Parks & Rec Director: I always prefer the concept of a direct democracy. My department is unique in that it is managed by elected officials that operate with autonomy outside of the Town Charter. I believe this to be the most important factor in our ability to provide the best service to our citizens. Elected officials are held directly accountable to those who vote. When the quality of service does not meet the demands of the voters, officials are voted out. I can only speak for Parks & Recreation. My feeling is that appointed officials would be disastrous for us. Planning Board: PB should remain elected Town Clerk Retired: Town Clerk should be appointed. Thinks it would be appropriate for Town Manager to appoint this position. 12 DPW Director: No opinion CIC: I think should be based on the position but I do not have any comments on changing the current methods. Town Clerk: I believe the position should be appointed. Changes in the position require thorough knowledge of MGL in regards to public records, Massachusetts General Law, Bylaws and Charter, and Elections. Personnel Comm: I/we believe the Town Clerk should be an appointed position to ensure professional / technical abilities are provided in that office (by hiring qualified person), reduce risk to Town due to lack or knowledge and (personally speaking) eliminate perception of “politics’ and the TC is a neutral nonpartisan professional running election process. Parks & Rec Comm: Elected officials have been an effective method of leading P & R. The process of having people from the community elected to lead brings forth a better understanding of the will of the people. Marathon Comm: N/A Board of Assessors: I actually feel some small committee’s should be elected. The Town’s people are feeling somewhat disenfranchised a few more elected positions i.e. Historical Commission would bring people to the polls. (Same answer given in Question 2.) Board of Selectmen: Board of Selectmen have supported changing town clerk position from elected to appointed when this matter came before town meeting. 13 Question 5: Should the Charter require rotation of board/committee chairs on an annual or other periodic basis? Fire Chief: I do not have experiences that would assist with this decision. Director of Land Use and Town Operations: It might be beneficial. Board of Library Trustees: agreed with the rotation of officers Cemetery Commission: Not answered Principal Assessor: I think that determination should be a decision of the sitting Board Members based on their time and background. Board of Health: No. Chairs should be determined by elected Board School Committee: The School Committee did not take a position on this question, although it was noted that this has not been an issue on the School Committee. Typically, the Chair rotates each year, occasionally a member has served for two consecutive years, but not more than that. Appropriation Committee: No. There should not be a required rotation specified in the Town Charter. Although it may be appropriate for some committees, a general requirement may not be good for other committees. Here are cases where forced rotation may not be beneficial. 1. Members without experience on the committee may not be ready to be Chair. 2. Members may not want to be Chair given the extra responsibility and time commitment 3. If no one else on committee wants to be chair, the Charter would force a changeover. Would members resign rather than forced to be the committee chair? 4. Unless there is a problem with a current chair, residents may prefer the consistency year over year having the same chair. Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector: No opinion Police Chief: N/A Parks & Rec Director: My feeling is that effective board/committee chairs should not be forced to rotate out. The goal is to retain the best people to lead the town. At the same time, I don’t believe that any one person should be anointed as a permanent chair. The town selectmen should be monitoring these committees and boards and making recommendations. That is part of the executive role. Planning Board: No Let each Board decide on leadership Town Clerk Retired: Rotation should not be required but voting in a chair every year should be required. DPW Director: No opinion CIC: I think it depends on the committee. I'm don't think it should be required. 14 Town Clerk: Rotation should not be required but voting in a chair every year would be a great asset to a board. Giving all a chance to share responsibilities. Personnel Comm: PC serve for 3 years. After some years (maybe 9) I think members should rotate off to make way for new people and ideas. Parks & Rec Comm: It works that way now. 3 year terms seem to be working well. Marathon Comm: As you know the Marathon Committee is comprised of a majority of v olunteers, including the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary with a few full time Town employees representing Police, Fire, DPW, BOH and Schools departments. The committee holds elections every two years where we elect officers. Our committee is not one that could have rotating volunteers based on the complexity of the tasks the volunteers perform. It generally takes about 2-3 years for each volunteer to be fully up to speed with their assigned task(s). That is why we have other senior volunteers assist the newer volunteers as needed so rotating the Chair would be detrimental to our committee as we would continually need to bring the NEW Chair up to speed in order for she/he to be functional in this role in a very limited time basis. The logistics and planning for the annual Boston Marathon is complex thus prior experience is a must. A number of individual members responded that they did not believe the chair should be required to be rotated. (See individual response for this committee for further detail.) Board of Assessors: Yes Board of Selectmen: Yes, to create more opportunities for leadership in the community, foster renewal of ideas through new leadership and uphold the integrity of the democratic institutions of the Town (no one can keep control indefinitely). However, the Board also respects the individual town boards’ authority to develop their own operating procedures. 15 Question 6: Do you have any other comments or suggested changes to the Town Charter? Fire Chief: Thanks for the opportunity to deliver input. Director of Land Use and Town Operations: No Board of Library Trustees: No Cemetery Commission: No Principal Assessor: No Board of Health: See attached suggested changes to the Town of Hopkinton Rule Charter. School Committee: The School Committee did not take a position on this question. Appropriation Committee: No Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector: My only other comment is the process by which any Committee or Board/Dept can submit warrant articles and they must be placed on the warrant. In my opinion and what I've seen in practice elsewhere is that the selectmen are the gate keepers and make the determination on what makes it on to the warrant. Why should the Town Manager's, the Finance Director's, the Selectmen's and Appropriations Committee's carefully crafted budget be overruled by a single individual or committee? Police Chief: At this time I have no comments or suggestions with my short tenure other than it appears to work well for me. Parks & Rec Director: My suggestion is to be very careful. Things that are not broken don’t need to be fixed. Tinkering with the Town charter could be a slippery slope. This review should be extremely transparent so that there is no perception of power grabs and or political maneuveri ng. Planning Board: None Town Clerk Retired: No DPW DIrector: NO - THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT. CIC: No Town Clerk: No Personnel Comm: I am concerned about the lack of diversity (gender, at minimum) on many (most?) of the Town boards and committees. I would propose language be inserted in the Charter to encourage if not mandate goals to make boards and committees 50% women. 16 Parks & Rec Comm: From a P&R standpoint, things are working well. We have leadership within the department that is very effective at managing the day-to-day and year-to-year business of the office. Elected commission members have been providing guidance on long term projects and policies. Marathon Comm: N/A Board of Assessors: N/A Board of Selectmen: Delete reference to compensation for elected board members. Hopkinton Acton Andover Ashland Bedford Bellingham Groton Hanover Ipswich Longmeadow Medfield Medway Northboro Norwell Stow Westboro Westford Westwood Board of Selectmen Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Town Clerk Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM Appointed - TM Appointed - TM Elected Elected Elected Appointed - TM Appointed - TM Elected Elected Appointed - TA Elected Appointed - BOS Elected Appointed - TM Elected Town Moderator Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Board of Health Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM Elected Elected Appointed - BOS Elected Elected Appointed - TM Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Elected Appointed - TA Elected Elected Appointed - TM Elected Appointed - BOS Parks & Rec Elected Appointed - BOS N/A N/A Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Elected Appointed - Moderator with approval of BOS Appointed - TM Appointed - BOS Elected Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed -BOS & TA Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM Appointed - BOS Planning Board Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Appointed - TM Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected School Committee Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Housing Authority Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Appointed - BOS Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Board of Assessors Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM Elected Elected Appointed - BOS Elected Elected Appointed - TM Appointed - BOS Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - TA Elected Elected Appointed - TM Elected Cemetary Commission Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM (bylaws)N/A Part of DPW Appointed - BOS Not in Charter or Bylaws N/A Appointed - TM N/A Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Appointed - TA Appointed - TA Appointed - BOS Part of DPW Appointed - TM Part of DPW Commissioner of Trust Funds Elected N/A Both Elected (2 funds) and Appointed-TM (1 fund)N/A N/A N/A Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS N/A N/A N/A Appointed - BOS (Trustees of Special Funds)N/A Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM N/A N/A Library Board of Trustees Elected Elected Appointed - TM Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Elected Elected Appointed - BOS Elected Elected Elected Elected Elected Constable Elected Not in Charter or Bylaws Not in Charter or Bylaws Appointed - TM Appointed-BOS Elected Appointed - TM Not Specified Elected Appointed - TM Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Appointed - BOS Appointed - TM Appointed Appointed - BOS Appropriation/Finance Committee Appointed - BOS +2 Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Chair FinCom, Moderator & Chair BoS Appointed - Moderator Appointed - BOS Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Moderator (in bylaws) Appointed - Moderator, Chair FinCom, Finance Director Appointed - Moderator (named Warrant Committee) Appointed - Moderator, Chair FinCom, Chair BOS Appointed - Moderator (not specified in charter) Appointed - Moderator, 1 member BOS, 1 member FinCom Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Moderator Appointed - Moderator Yellow - Role described in charter Pink - Role mentioned in charter, no specifics given Blue - Role not specifically mentioned in charter Total Term Office Positions Years Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Positions Candidates Board of Selectmen 5 3 2 4 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 4 2 3 1 2 2 3 Board of Assessors 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Board of Health 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 Board of Health (Unexpired Term)1 (1 yr)1 Board of Library Trustees 5 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 5 (b)4 Board of Library Trustees (Unexpired Term)1 (2 yr)2 Board of Library Trustees (Unexpired Term)1 (1 yr)1 Cemetary Commissioner 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Commissioner of Trust Fund 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Constable 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 4 Board of Public Works 3 3 3 (a)5 3 5 Housing Authority 5 (c)5 1 2 1 write in 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Housing Authority (Unexpired Term)1 (3 yr)1 1 (2 yr)1 1 (2 yr)1 Housing Authority (Unexpired Term)1 (1 yr)1 Moderator 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Parks & Rec Commission 5 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 4 1 1 Parks & Rec Commission (Unexpired Term)1 (2 yr)2 1 (1 yr)1 Planning Board 9 5 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 Planning Board (Unexpired Term)1 (3 yr)1 1 (2 yr)1 1 (4 yr)2 1 (1 yr)1 School Committee 5 3 1 1 2 3 2 3 1 2 2 4 2 3 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 Town Clerk 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Contested Race Fewer Candidates than Positions Available Fewer Candidates than Positions Available and all candidates running for re-election At least one candidate appointed to board in prior year then ran unopposed in election Winning candidate appointed to board in prior year 2 of 3 winning candidates served on appointed advisory board the year before Candidate for re-election ran unopposed (a) The candidate with the greatest number of votes will serve 3 years, the candidate with the second greatest number of votes will serve 2 years, and the candidate with the third greatest number of votes will serve 1 year (b) The 2 candidates with the greatest number of votes will serve 3 years, the 2 candidates with the second greatest number of votes will serve 2 years, and the candidate with the third greatest number of votes will serve 1 year (c) One of the Housing Authority positions is state appointed 2010 2009 2008 2007201620152014201320122011 2016 Ballot Results Selectman (2) Brendan Tedstone 1 new candidate Michael Umina 4 new candidate Margaret Wiggin 3 new candidate Claire Wright 2 new candidate Moderator (1) Bruce Carlin 2 re-election Thomas Garabedian 1 new candidate Town Clerk (1) Connor Degan 1 new candidate Henry Kunicki 2 new candidate Board of Assessors (1) Mary Jo Lafreniere 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Philip Cohen 2 re-election Jennifer Flanagan 1 new candidate Board of Library Trustees (2) Michael McNamara 5 re-election Susan Porter 3 re-election Cemetery Commissioner (1) John Palmer 1 new candidate Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Maureen Bumiller 1 re-election Constable (1) Michael Umina 2 new candidate, write-in candidate prior year Michael Hayes 3 new candidate Housing Authority (1) Nancy Kelleigh 1 re-election Emily D'Urso 2 new candidate Parks & Rec Commission (1) Eric Sonnett 2 re-election Kelly Karp 1 new candidate Planning Board (2) Clifford Kistner 2 new candidate David Paul 1 new candidate School Committee (1) Nancy Richsrds-Cavanaugh 1 new candidate 2015 Ballot Results Selectman (2) Todd Cestari 2 re-election Brian Herr 1 new candidate, previously ran and won in 2011, did not stand for re-election in 2014 Board of Assessors (1) John Duffy 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Paul Winshman 1 re-election Board of Health 1 year term (1) Philip Cohen 1 new candidate Board of Library Trustees (1) Darlene Hayes 1 new candidate Cemetery Commissioner (1) Thomas Pratt 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Sandra Altamura 1 new candidate Housing Authority (1) Write-in 1 Connor Degan Parks & Rec Commission (2) Robert Dobinski 1 re-election Daniel Terry 2 re-election Parks & Rec Commission 2 year term (1) Robert McGuire 2 new candidate, appointed to serve out remainder of term in a prior year Laura Hanson 1 new candidate Planning Board (2) Francis D'Urso 2 new candidate, appointed to serve out remainder of term in a prior year Patrick Mahon 1 new candidate Planning Board 3 year term (1) Frank Sivo 1 new candidate, appointed to serve out remainder of term in a prior year School Committee (2) Jean Bertschmann 2 re-election Jonathon Graziano 1 re-election Brian Karp 3 new candidate 2014 Ballot Results Selectman (1) John Coutinho 1 new candidate Board of Assessors (1) John Palmer 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Jennifer Belesi 1 new candidate Board of Library Trustees (2) June Harris 1 re-election Stanley Pulnik 2 new candidate, 2012 elected to 1 year unepired term Cemetery Commissioner (1) Claire Wright 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Muriel Kramer 1 new candidate Housing Authority (1) Warren Johnson 1 new candidate, appointed to serve out remainder of term in a prior year Parks & Rec Commission (2) Timothy Kilduff 2 new candidate, appointed to serve out remainder of term in a prior year Amy Markovich 1 new candidate, appointed to serve out remainder of term in a prior year Planning Board (1) Francis DeYoung 1 new candidate School Committee (2) Kelly Knight 1 new candidate Lori Nickerson 2 new candidate Frank Sivo 2 new candidate 2013 Ballot Results Selectman (2) John Mosher 1 re-election Ben Palleiko 2 re-election Moderator (1) Bruce Carlin 1 re-election Town Clerk (1) Geri Holland 1 new candidate, served as Asst Town Clerk prior to this Board of Assessors (1) Mary Jo Lafreniere 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Deborah Holbrook 1 new candidate Board of Library Trustees (2) Michael McNamara 1 re-election Write-in 2 Susan Porter Cemetery Commissioner (1) Lynn Fournier 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Maureen Bumiller 1 re-election Constable (3) Don Creswell 2 re-election Patrick O'Brien 1 re-election Write-in 3 Michael Umina Housing Authority 3 year term (1) Nancy Kelleigh 1 new candidate, previously held the office Parks & Rec Commission (1) Eric Sonnett 1 new candidate Planning Board (2) John Ferrari 1 new candidate Todd Holbrook 2 new candidate School Committee (1) Amy Ritterbusch 2 new candidate Ellen Scordino 1 new candidate 2012 Ballot Results Selectman (2) Michelle Gates 1 re-election Todd Cestari 3 re-election Board of Assessors (1) John Duffy 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Paul Winshman 1 new candidate Board of Library Trustees (1) John Belger 1 re-election (elected to 1 year term prior year) Board of Library Trustees 1 year term (1) Stanley Pulnik 1 new candidate, write-in candidate prior year Board of Library Trustees 2 year term (1) Richard Duggan 2 new candidate June Harris 1 appointed prior year, tied for second in prior year election resulting in failure to elect Cemetery Commissioner (1) Thomas Pratt 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Thomas Garabedian 1 re-election Housing Authority (1) Renee Gilson 1 re-election Parks & Rec Commission (2) Robert Dobinski 1 re-election Daniel Terry 2 new candidate Parks & Rec Commission 1 year term (1) Brian O'Keefe 1 new candidate Planning Board (2) Kenneth Weismantel 1 re-election Matthew Wade 2 new candidate School Committee (2) Jean Bertschmann 1 re-election Francis D'Urso 4 new candidate Frank Sivo 3 new candidate Jonathon Graziano 2 new candidate 2011 Ballot Results Selectman (1) Francis D'Urso 2 new candidate Brian Herr 1 new candidate, previously ran and won in 2007, did not stand for re-election in 2010 Board of Assessors (1) John Palmer 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Mark Gates 1 re-election Board of Library Trustees (5) Leda Arakelien 2 new candidate due to tie did not serve as elected Marie Eldridge 1 new candidate 3 year term June Harris 2 new candidate due to tie did not serve as elected, subsequently appointed to board Michael McNamara 4 new candidate 2 year term Write-in 5 John Belger 1 year term Cemetery Commissioner (1) Claire Wright 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Mary Arnaut 1 new candidate Housing Authority (1) Deborah Kollmeyer 1 new candidate Parks & Rec Commission (2) Kenneth Driscoll 1 re-election Brian Eberlin 2 new candidate Planning Board (2) Claire Wright 2 new candidate Brian Karp 1 new candidate Planning Board 2 year term (1) Christian Ollenborger 1 new candidate School Committee (2) Nancy Burdick 1 re-election Richard deMont 3 re-election Scott Aghababian 2 new candidate 2010 Ballot Results Selectman (2) Todd Holbrook 3 new candidate Benjamin Palleiko 1 new candidate John Mosher 2 new candidate Joseph Nealon 4 new candidate Moderator (1) Bruce Carlin 1 re-election Town Clerk (1) Ann Click 1 re-election Board of Assessors (1) Mary Jo LaFreniere 1 new candidate Board of Health (1) Margo Roman 2 new candidate Vincent Lawler 1 new candidate Cemetery Commissioner (1) Lynn Fournier 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Maureen Bumiller 1 new candidate Constable (3) Patrick O'Brien 1 re-election Don Creswell 2 re-election Write-in 3 Pat Mahon Board of Public Works (3) Kevin Kohrt 4 re-election Ronald Clark 3 new candidate Nancy Peters 5 new candidate Eric Sonnett 2 new candidate Kenneth Weismantel 1 new candidate Housing Authority (1) Patricia Kuehne 2 new candidate Marilyn Stearman 1 new candidate Parks & Rec Commission (1) Patrick Mahon 1 re-election Planning Board (2) Sandra Altamura 3 re-election John Coutinho 1 new candidate Deborah Thomas 2 new candidate Planning Board 4 year term (1) Richard MacDonald 1 new candidate Francis D'Urso 2 new candidate School Committee (1) Rebecca Robak 1 re-election 2009 Ballot Results Selectman (2) Mary Pratt 3 re-election Todd Cestari 1 new candidate Michelle Gates 2 new candidate Board of Assessors (1) John Duffy 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Paul Wright 1 new candidate Cemetery Commissioner (1) Thomas Pratt 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Thomas Garabedian 1 re-election Housing Authority (1) Ruth Ziglear 1 re-election Housing Authority 2 yr term (1) Donna McGuire 1 new candidate Housing Authority 1 yr term (1) Della Miles 1 new candidate Parks & Rec Commission (2) Robert Dobinski 1 new candidate Karl Morningstar 2 new candidate Planning Board (1) Jamie Goncalves 1 new candidate Planning Board 1 yr term (1) David Auslander 1 new candidate School Committee (2) Jean Bertschmann 1 new candidate Troy Mick 2 new candidate 2008 Ballot Results Selectman (1) Muriel Kramer 2 re-election RJ Dourney 1 new candidate Board of Assessors (1) John Palmer 1 re-election Board of Health (1) Nancy Peters 2 re-election Mark Gates 1 new candidate Cemetery Commissioner (1) Claire Wright 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Lynn Fournier 1 re-election Parks & Rec Commission (2) Brendan Doyle 1 re-election Robert Dobinski 3 new candidate Kenneth Driscoll 2 new candidate Jane Moran 4 new candidate Planning Board (2) John Coolidge 2 re-election Mark Abate 1 re-election School Committee (1) Nancy Burdick 1 re-election Richard deMont 2 new candidate 2007 Ballot Results Selectman (2) Brian Herr 1 new candidate David Stoldt 3 new candidate Matthew Zettek 2 new candidate Moderator (1) Bruce Carlin 1 re-election Town Clerk (1) Ann Click 1 re-election Board of Assessors (1) Edward Mill 1 re-election Board of Health (1) David Edson 1 re-election Board of Public Works (3) John Hourihan 5 new candidate Kevin Kohrt 3 new candidate Daniel McIntyre 2 Prior year served on DPW Advisory Committee, appointed by Board of Selectmen James Pyne 1 Prior year served on DPW Advisory Committee, appointed by Board of Selectmen Robert Scott 4 new candidate Cemetery Commissioner (1) Lynn Fournier 1 re-election Commissioner of Trust Fund (1) Tina Rose 1 re-election Constable (3) James Collins 2 re-election Don Creswell 3 re-election Patrick O'Brien 1 re-election John Hourihan 4 new candidate Housing Authority (1) Renee Gilson 1 re-election Parks & Rec Commission (1) Patrick Mahon 1 re-election Planning Board (2) Carol DeVeuve 2 new candidate Kenneth Weismantel 1 new candidate Justin Wiley 3 new candidate School Committee (1) Rebecca Robak 1 re-election Richard Oldach 2 new candidate