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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Minutes 2014-06-23 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 23, 2014 lc Ji"L =fa�J; I� M Approved on July 14, 2014 pRLE ANh HUM CLERK A meeting of the Orleans Charter Review Committee was held on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the Nauset Room of the Town Hall. Present were Chairwoman Patricia Fallender, Vice-Chairman Charles Ketchuck, Clerk Anne Carron, member Francis Moran Jr., member John Crawford, member Carolyn Kennedy and Recording Secretary Kristen Holbrook. Board of Selectmen liaison David M. Dunford was also present for the meeting. Committee member Susan B. Christie was not present for the meeting. in es: On a motion by Ms. Carron, and seconded by Ms. Kennedy, the Committee voted to accept the minutes of the June 2, 2014 meeting a presented. The vote was 6-0-0. Set Schedule for Future Meetinas of the Committee: The Committee was generally in favor of meeting twice per month on Monday. The following dates were identified for future meetings of the Committee: • July 14th and 21st • August 4th and 25th • September 8th and 22nd • October 6th and 20th • November 3rd and 17th • December 8th Future meeting dates will be set at a later time. Review ChartedOuestions from Committee Members: Mrs. Fallender asked if any of the members had any comments or questions regarding the Charter. Mr. Crawford asked for Mr. Dunford to provide some direction for the Committee. Mr. Dunford stated that the Board expects the Committee to raise any issues for consideration of updates and changes. He stated that the Board has not weighed in on any particular issue at this time, but may do so at a later date. He stated that the Committee should target any suggested changes for the next annual town meeting in May of 2015. Mr. Dunford clarified that the Board has not held a discussion for that focus, but that he felt that the individual Board members and members of the public might have areas of concern. Mr. Crawford stated that he felt it would be best to have a list of items as soon as possible in order for the committee to fully devote the time to the issues. Ms. Fallender stated that the Committee could send letters, soliciting opinions from the individual Boards and interested parties. Ms. Kennnedy stated that she felt the previous Charter Review Committee had done an excellent job in cleaning up the language. Ms. Carron stated that she felt it might be important to consider separating the Board of Selectmen and the Park Commissioners - either create a separate Park Commission, or make the process better by relieving the Board of Selectmen of the necessity to vote to meet as Park Commissioners. Ms. Carron also stated that she is a proponent of term limits and felt that a discussion would be necessary. Mr. Ketchuck concurred with Ms. Carron regarding terms limits. He also stated that he felt there should be another process, aside from recall, for disciplinary action resulting from Board actions. Mr. Moran agreed and felt that the Committee should discuss making the Board of Health an appointed Board. Mr. Ketchuck suggested that a search committee might be useful for the Board of Health. Ms. Kennedy stated that she felt the Committee should discuss the length and timing of the Annual Town Meeting to get better participation. She stated that she felt the committee should consider a way to streamline the ATM agenda. Mr. Crawford stated that he felt the prioritization of the articles should be considered as well. [aswell.ender stated that she felt the Board should discuss the petition initiatives as the numbers required do not make sense. o suggested a consent agenda and the inter-municipal agreements. She also suggested that the committee should the Board of Selectmen's role as licensing agents. Ms. Fallender felt that the Committee should discuss the recall process She also noted that the petiti on for Charter enforcement should be discussed. gested discussion for a change from Town Administrator to Town Manager. Ms. Kennedy noted that she felt that the Committee should look into amending the Charter to create more opportunities for public engagement. Ms. Carron stated that she would like to know why the Finance Committee is the only Committee in the Town with a term limit. She felt that the 6 year term limit listed for FinCom was too short and that 9 years would be more beneficial. Ms. Carron also stated that she felt the Board of Selectmen should be able to talk to the department heads without the approval of the Town Administrator. Mr. Dunford stated that it was his understanding that the Charter Review Committee must make their recommendation to the Board while a Commission makes their recommendations directly to Town Meeting. Mr. Crawford stated that a timeline of important dates could be appended to the Charter as a resource. Ms. Carron also noted that the recall process, set forth in the Charter, requires a 30% voter turnout, when at the last election only 23% of the voters participated. Develoo List of Basic Principles (Tenetsl: The Committee discussed forming a list of basic principles. The Committee agreed to use the principles listed in the introduction of the Charter. Mr. Moran stated that a principle of promoting transparency in government is not listed and should be, and the committee agreed. Set Work Process: Ms. Fallender suggested that the Committee divide the chapters of the Charter among the members. The Committee also discussed the voting process. Ms. Fallender noted that the previous review committee had a general provision that any items that were unanimous or overwhelmingly agreed upon, they were not discussed in depth. Mr. Ketchuck asked if a member resigns, would the Board appoint another member. Ms. Fallender stated that the previous member had withdrawn more than half way through the process and the Committee had decided to go forward with only 6. Mr. Crawford asked if the Committee would have the ability to have a minority opinion at the town meeting. Mr. Dunford stated that the change to the Committee charge, allows for the Committee to make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for review. Mr. Dunford noted that any article could be brought to ATM as a petition article. He clarified that the Committee would be allowed to speak to the articles. The Committee tentatively divided the articles for review. Mr. Moran stated that he would find it helpful to receive materials ahead of time for review. He asked that, if materials are going to be used during discussion, that they be emailed ahead of time. Arranoe for PR Releases- meetina schedule and input from the nublic: The Committee reviewed and discussed a draft press release and a request of the MIS Director for a dedicated email for the Committee. The Committee was in favor of the Chair sending out letters to the departments and Boards seeking input on the Charter review process. Adjourn: On a motion by Ms. Kennedy, and seconded by Mr. Moran, the Board voted to adjourn. The vote was 6-0-0. Adjourned at 8:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Kristen Holbrook c�,tifrtta_`lJ C'a�za� Anne H. Carron, Clerk