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Approved
February 16, 2011
Present: Judith Cole, Phil Edmundson, Edna English, Scott Ford, Alec Macmillan, Eva Marx
Absent: Irma Lauter
Chair Judith Cole called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Town Hall Building.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of January 25 with the following amendment: “The committee discussed the ordering of the Phases and agreed that it would review the phases sequentially.”
Alec Macmillan gave an update on the progress of the Citizen Survey Committee (CSC). The scope of the survey will depend upon the amount of staffing support that the League of Women Voters (LWV) can provide. CSC representatives will address the LWV meeting on March 9. The CSC will field test the survey form by making a dozen calls to knowledgeable citizens to test the validity of questions and the time required to complete the survey. The need for additional assistance will depend upon the LWV response. The CSC expects to complete the survey this spring. Ms. Cole expressed the hope that the findings will inform the direction of the Government Study Committee.
The committee voted to table discussion of the sewer warrant article pending further information. The sewer commissioners have requested a survey to determine the cost effectiveness of proposed changes. There will be a meeting next Tuesday to consider three options—outsourcing, merging with the Department of Public Works, or maintaining the status quo.
The committee agreed upon the following criteria for considering and supporting proposed warrant articles: (1) Content falls within the charge of the Government Study Committee. (2) The Committee has supporting data. (3) The Committee has adequately studied and discussed the topic. (4) Prior town government study committees have recommended the item. Jon Asher of the Advisory Committee will provide a list of warrant articles and hearing dates. Ms. Cole will attend the advisory committee meeting tomorrow night and obtain a schedule.
Kate Boland responded to questions regarding the warrant article proposed by the LWV. It includes three administrative changes: (1) requires the name and contact information of the proponent, (2) wording for the article must be submitted by January 20, and (3) wording must be made public (which has been interpreted as being available online) 10 days after the warrant closes on January 20. The article has the unanimous support of the Advisory Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Phil Edmundson moved and Edna English seconded a motion that the committee support the article. Approval was unanimous.
Action on developing a job description for research assistance was tabled until the committee has a specific need.
Ms. Cole appointed two task forces to study the items listed for Phase I of the Attachment to the January 25 minutes. Group 1: Phil Edmundson, chair; Eva Marx and Alec Macmillan; Group 2: Scott Ford, chair; Edna English and Irma Lauter.
Group 1 will consider the size of the Board of Selectmen, the desirability of a charter, alternatives to town meeting, the conduct of town meeting, and town meeting quorum. Group 2 will study the pros and cons of town administrator or town manager, job description for that position, moving all purchasing and hiring to the town administrator or town manager. The items “School bargaining to Personnel Board” and “Consistency of Salary Grades, jobs” were moved to Phase II. “Regionalization” was moved to Phase III.
Task forces need to comply with open meeting law, i.e., post agenda and times of meetings and provide 48-hour notice.
Daniel Pallotta, chair of the Hanover Board of Selectmen, shared information about Hanover’s government structure and change process.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 17.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Eva Marx substituting for Irma Lauter