Buxton Charter Commission
Meeting minutes
April 29, 2010
7:00 PM
Call to order at 7 p.m. Present are Chairman Andy Townsend, Selectman Dan Collomy, Brent Havu, Larry Miller, Jennifer Barschdorf and Judy Sjulander. Absent are Vice-Chairman Dianne Senechal, David Dunn and May Schumacher.
Approval of minutes from last meeting (April 22, 2010)
Motion to approve. Strike from second page following the commission discussion of term limits, “The discussion did not lead to a vote,” in light of a vote later during the meeting. Motion seconded, minutes unanimously approved as amended.
Public Comments: none
Announcement of Correspondence: none
Open Business
- Continued Review of Kennebunk Charter
The commission continued review of Kennebunk's charter, starting with section 3.07 regarding an independent annual town audit and its publishing in the town report. Commission members discussed differences between Kennebunk and Buxton requirements and wording.
MOTION: to add to Buxton Charter present section 4.11 at the end, audit information should be published in the town report. Motion by Judy, second by Larry. Motion carries unanimously.
Commission members began discussion of Kennebunk Charter section 3.08 regarding the appointment and removal of the town manager then changed the discussion to Buxton boards and committees one-by-one to determine if selectmen or the town manager would appoint people to each.
Board of appeals was decided at the April 22, 2010, meeting.
Charter commission falls under state statute and is part elected and part appointed.
Cemetery committee members are currently appointed by selectmen. A majority of charter commission members agreed cemetery committee members should continue to be appointed by selectmen.
Planning board was decided at the April 22, 2010, meeting.
Comprehensive Plan committee.* The commission discussed the duties of the comprehensive plan* committee, which are related to planning functions. A majority of charter commission members agreed selectmen should continue to appoint comprehensive plan* committee members.
Keep the Heat On committee currently is managed by Dianne Senechal under the umbrella of general assistance. A majority of charter commission members agreed selectmen should continue to appoint/approve Keep the Heat On committee members.
Municipal records officer will be appointed by the town manager.*
Newsletter committee is volunteer, the content is determined by selectmen. A majority of charter commission members agreed Newsletter committee members will continue to be appointed by selectmen.
Recreation advisory committee was briefly discussed. Charter commission members plan to consult selectmen regarding this committee.
Saco River Cable committee consists of members from numerous towns. Charter commission members tentatively agree the Buxton member should be appointed by the town manager.
Saco River Corridor Commission consists of members from numerous towns.
MOTION: Saco River Corridor Commission Buxton member be appointed by selectmen. Motion by Brent, second by Larry. Motion carries unanimously.
Solid waste committee is an advisory committee. Charter commission members plan to consult selectmen regarding this committee.
Buxton Toy Box committee. Charter commission members agreed Toy Box committee members should continue to be appointed by selectmen.
Voter registration members will be appointed by the town manager. (Currently most voter registration members hold other town positions.)
MOTION: all town departments - excluding tax collector and town clerk - be appointed by the town manager. Motion by Brent, second by Larry (?). Motion carries unanimously. (All town departments discussed include: Animal Control, Assessing Services, Code Enforcement, Emergency Management, Fire & Rescue, Motor Vehicle Registration, Police & Dispatch, Public Works, Recreation Department, Social Services, Solid Waste & Recycling, Town Treasurer, Voter Registration and Welfare.)
Tax collector and town clerk will be discussed further at a later date. (Buxton selectmen have proposed to change the tax collector to an appointed position, the question will be on the Town Meeting ballot.)
Two minute recess.
The commission resumed the discussion of Kennebunk charter section 3.08, appointment and removal of town manager. Commission members discussed including a time restriction regarding a town manager. The Kennbunk charter reads “The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Town Manager for a definite term by written contract on not less than 1 year or more than 3 years, who shall have the powers and perform the duties provided in section 4.02 of this Charter.” The commission discussed scenarios, financial complications and time frames for removing a town manager.
MOTION: to engage in 1 year contracts with a town manager on a perpetual basis. Motion by Brent, second by Larry. Motion carries unanimously.
MOTION: during the drafting process to adopt the general language of Kennbunk Charter section 3.08 no. 2, which states selectmen may remove a town manager for just cause and sets rules and time frame for such a dismissal. Motion by Brent, second by Judy. Motion carries unanimously.
The commission discussed section 3.09 of Kennebunk's charter, which speaks to holding town office if married to a selectman. Commission members discussed a current situation as well as school department policies relating to family members of the superintendent.
MOTION: to adopt the general language of Kennebunk charter section 3.09 and add a transition period suitable to an existing situation in Buxton. Motion by Brent, second by Judy. Motion carries unanimously.
The commission discussed some language in Kennebunk's charter that states “manager's employee.”
MOTION: to accept Kennebunk charter section 3.10 under the premise the wording will be revised during the drafting process. Motion by Jen, second by Larry. Motion carries unanimously.
New Business
Other New Business: set agenda. Open business will continue review of Kennebunk charter resuming with sec 3.11.
Next Meeting
Charter Commission Meeting, Thursday, May 6, 2010, 7 p.m.
Charter Commission Meeting, Thursday, May 13, 2010, 7 p.m.
Public Comments: none
Adjournment, 8:50 p.m.
Submitted by Stephanie Grinnell
*Minutes amended per commission request May 10, 2010, to correct 'policy committee' to 'comprehensive plan committee' and amend municipal records officer to be appointed by town manager rather than selectmen.
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