Joe’s
- Better compliance to open meeting law
- Better able to act as liasons to the other town boards and commissions
- Eliminate the rule of 2 – ie 2 members are a majority vote
- Minimize “gridlock” when one member has to abstain, then if the other two members disagree, the vote is a gridlock.
- Town also needs some kind of administrator
- To appoint an administrator for the town
- To find ways to lower legal cost.
Kathy’s reasons: Expand bos to get more representation of the town Better checks and balances Recent events showed that the finances of the town are not secure
Phil reasons: Conflicts create recusals We may need to review the minutes of the bos to see when they have used the “rule of necessity” Wants to expand BOS to avoid possible problems with conflict and rule of necessity If more positions are going to be appointed than the BOS should be expanded so that more people are involved in the appointment process Not sure if we need a town administrator given the other positions A larger body of people to appoint positions would allow more positions to become appointed
John’s reasons: Have some reservations about going to a five member bos: Will we get qualified candidates? Georgetown went to a town administrator with a 3 member bos and then expanded the bos to a 5 member bos. A larger BOS would allow each selectmen to liason with town departments on a more routine basis which could improve oversight.
Bette Discussed that there have been very few incidences of invoking the rule of necessity over the past years.
We can function with a 3 member bos but need administrator of some form.
Kathy: Would like to see a town administrator And expanded Bos
Lisa Spoke with Topsfield and Boxford Contract negotiations Address Personnel issues Works in collaboration with the BOS Coordinates the establishment of the budget Town administrators often have experience in legal issues and can save the town money Would like to have a 5 member bos and town administrator
Michelle Wants a 3 member Bos because she feels that there is not enough interest to run for a larger bos Not sure if we need a full time administrator with the existing positions
Dan: Is not convinced that there is a problem that needs to be fixed Concerned about the costs of changes and what are the benefits Believes that government functions smoothly as it currently exists Causitiously bring about change, without knowing that there is a pool of candidates, current elections have not had an abundance of candidates Functions as it should with the current bos
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