CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
Minutes - October 20 2009
Members present: Scott Kerry, chair; Nan Balmer, Judy Cannon, John Knight, Stephen Wasby
Also present: Joe Bayne (Chair, Finance Committee); Town Moderator Gwen Pelletier
The meeting, held at Eastham Town Hall, began at 5:00 pm and ended at 6:40pm.
At the open session, Joe Bayne appeared for the Finance Committee. He raised two issues of concern. The first was the need for a Town Building Committee. The proposal he brought was to create such a committee for construction projects requiring bonding; he suggested language, and he noted his own view of a smaller committee. He noted problems with having the Building Committee limited to those involved in the project. He noted the possibilities of having a standing committee or a separate one for each project. The second issue was the difficulty the FinCom had in doing its job without having figures. He approves having FinCom receive the budget earlier, when the Board of Selectmen does; it will help them in their meetings.
There were questions from all members of the Committee about both matters he had raised. In response to a question, Bayne indicated he favored an appointed Town Treasurer.
Chairman Kerry will look at earlier Town Meeting items for Police & Fire Station and for the Elementary School.
There was a brief discussion as to how the committee should operate, as to whether members can raise follow-up questions when relevant. The chair determined that members should speak in the order in which they sought to be recognized.
The minutes of the October 6 2009 meeting were approved, with one correction, 4-0-1.
The Chair mentioned Ethics Training. He also listed the items deferred as of the present time: C3-8F, C5-2, C5-4, C3-8I, and C6-2.
Steve Wasby, who had been absent at the last meeting, asked to be recorded as favoring greater Board of Selectmen involvement in selection of the Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments. He asked that it be noted that he was aligned with Mr. Knight’s position on C3-8-B and with Mr. Kerry’s position on C3-8-E.
C5-2 and C6-2, on which Ms. Cannon and Mr. Knight have been working, were tabled to the next meeting.
The following items were approved (5-0) as presently written: C-7-1; C-7-2; C-7-4.
C-7-3 was deferred for clarification, with Mr. Knight to explore the matter.
C7-5 was approved, 4-1, after Mr. Wasby questioned section E.
The chair will confer with Town Counsel as to whether it is necessary to retain C-8: 1-7.
There was discussion of the process of handling material for Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen L. Wasby, Clerk
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