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Government Study Committee
Meeting Minutes

Town of Hingham
Government Study Committee
November 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Present:  Judith Cole; Phil Edmundson; Edna English; Scott Ford; Irma Lauter; Eva Marx
Absent:   Alec Macmillan

Chair Judith Cole called the meeting to order at 7:05PM in the Town Hall Building.
The Committee amended and approved the minutes from the October 6, 2010 meeting.
Kitty Ward provided a status of the proposed survey designed to compliment the work of the Committee:

• The survey would be by telephone allowing for in-depth data gathering
• The sample would be statistically valid in the range of 300 to 500 calls.
• The survey is being designed to gather information about what people think about Town Government.  What is working well and what isn’t.  Suggestions for improvements will be solicited.
• The script is a work in progress.  Demographic data would be included as well as attendance at Town Meeting.
• The team is still discussing the appropriate target audience: tax payers, citizens, voters or some combination.
• Ms. Ward will be meeting with the LWV Board to seek their assistance for the survey.
• The target timeframe is after the first of the year.

A lengthy discussion and suggestions for survey questions and the target audience were provided by Committee members.  Ms Ward and Ms Lauter appreciated the input from the Committee members, will review same with Alec Macmillan, and will take it under consideration when they next meet. 
Mrs. Cole informed the group that the October 26th BOS meeting went very well. Ms Marx, Mr. Macmillan and Mr. Ford attended as well as Mrs. Cole.
Mrs. Cole asked for department/committee/commission survey results:

• Concerns about lack of personnel and budget cutbacks
• Communication between departments lacking
• Inability to acquire Capital items in a timely manner
• Technology and ability to adapt to the digital age
• Need for Development Officer for the Town (concentrate on Grant Writing)
• Central database to allow groups to collaborate
• Implementation of Term Limits
• Foster collaboration rather than competition
• Initial charge of Committees vs. what is being done now
• Revisit Benchmark Towns used by Hingham
• Improve transparency of government decision making using technology

Mrs. Cole also reiterated the timeline for survey responses had been lengthened to account for the FY2011 budget process.
Mrs. Cole asked the Committee to think about areas for future investigation.  She reviewed recommendations of prior GSC;

• Make Treasurer/Collector appointed vs. elected
• Merge DPW and Sewer
• Consider Regional schools

A brainstorming session occurred with ideas shared on potential areas of study to improve efficiency within Town government.
Mrs. Cole informed the group that the next meeting will be December 7, 2010, at 7:30PM.  
The meeting was adjourned at 8:14PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Irma Lauter