CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 27, 2005
*6:30 P.M.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. ATTENDANCE
Attendance: Richard LeBorious, Chairman, Cliff Nelson, Peter Nevers, Ralph Saunders, Noreen Farmer, Edward Filipone, Joseph Roberts, Kathy Bilodeau.
Unable to Attend: John Parda
III. PREVIOUS MINUTES
a. January 13, 2005 meeting
MOTION: To accept the minutes, with the following corrections to Page Two (highlighted below):
MOTION: To request $1500 be allocated to a fund for Charter Revision Commission Expenses.
Made by Mr. Nevers, seconded by Mr. Parda
All members in favor. Motion carried.
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:45.
Made by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Parda
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Made by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Ms. Bilodeau
In favor: Nelson, Bilodeau, LeBorious, Saunders, Roberts
Abstained: Filipone, Nevers, Farmer
MOTION CARRIED
*Minutes will be posted on the Town Website.
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None.
V. DISCUSS STRATEGY ON HOW TO APPROACH REVISION OF THE CHARTER
Mr. Nelson distributed recommendations received from the Town Clerk.
The Commission is interested in recommendations/ideas from all areas possible, Town Departments, Boards and Commissions, organizations (Lions/Rotary), and the general public. The Commission wants to explore all avenues of potential revision whether it entail minor grammatical boiler plate changes or more substantive changes wherein different government types are explored.
The Commission will also have a meeting to engage in discussion with invited guests from other Town governments, who have recently been through Charter Revision.
Time frame parameters are a concern, but the Commission was sensitive to the fact they want to consider all facets of the community and their input for proposed Charter Revision. It was felt the Commission needed to grasp what type of changes the various entities are interested in before deciding how to tackle revision of the charter within the time frame allowed.
The idea of involving the high school civics class was discussed, a very popular idea with the Commission. Ms. Farmer will meet with the appropriate educator(s) on how to involve young citizens in the revision of charter and report back to the Commission. The Commission is hoping that fresh eyes may broaden ideas that would not otherwise have been suggested and/or explored, all the while intriguing young minds and helping educate them as to how local government works. Mr. Nevers will approach the Lions and Rotary Clubs regarding their ideas and report back to the Commission.
Invitations to attend Charter Revision Commission meetings will be as follows:
Board of Selectmen will be invited to attend the February 14, 2005 meeting (following the public hearing);
Department Heads will be invited to attend the February 24, 2005 meeting;
Board/Commission Chairman will be invited to attend the March 14, 2005 meeting.
MOTION: For Noreen Farmer to approach the appropriate High School educator(s) regarding a Civics class project involving assistance from students with proposed Charter Revision(s) and for Peter Nevers to approach the Lions/Rotary Clubs for their input/ideas as to proposed Charter Revision changes.
Made by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Nelson
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
VI. VICE-CHAIRMAN ELECTION
Nomination of Edward Filipone made, not accepted, with regret.
Nomination of Bishop Ralph Saunders made and accepted.
MOTION: To Nominate Bishop Ralph Saunders as Vice Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission.
Made by Mr. Nevers, seconded by Mr. Roberts
Nominations Closed
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:20 p.m.
Made by Mr. Nevers, seconded by Mr. Roberts
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted.
Cynthia D. Croxford
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