Salisbury Charter Committee

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Members Present: Bob Carroll (BC); Mike Gilbert (MG); Robert Straubel (RS); Harold Congdon (HC); Mary Cuddire (MC); Ed Hunt (EH);

Member(s) Absent: Jim Dondero

Visitors: Fred Knowles, Selectman; Dave Proctor, Warrant Advisory Committee

Chairperson Opens Regular Meeting at 7:02 p.m.

1. Old Business

a. BC reports on his June 8, 2009 meeting with the Board of Selectmen

1) The televised meeting allowed BC to explain to the viewing public that the Charter Review Committee was meeting regularly and the public was welcome to attend

2) The selectmen were invited to attend and/or submit written questions. BC notes that questions regarding Article 3 of the Charter were submitted by Selectman Jerry Klima, and that Selectman Fred Knowles was in attendance for tonight’s meeting.

3) The Committee’s agenda and minutes will be posted on the town’s website

2. Discussion – Article 3 of the Charter (Elected Officers)

a. BC notes that Selectman Knowles has previously commented that non-residents of Salisbury should be allowed to serve on appointed committees as there is no prohibition of this in the current Charter. The Committee discusses the merits of adding wording regarding non-resident appointments. MG moves that the Committee recommend that the following wording be added to Article 3: “All multi-member appointed boards and committees be made up of residents of Salisbury.” Vote in favor of the motion fails 2 (MG, MC) – 3 (BC, EH, RS) – HC abstains.

b. HC opens discussion on the merits of recommending a change in the Charter requiring the election of all boards.

1) BC reviewed this idea with Marilyn Contreas, DHCD during the past week and she noted that state law requires that only the Town Accountant, Conservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals be appointed. BC reads comment submitted by Selectman Klima who believes that no boards should be elected other than those that are already elected.

2) After considerable discussion, HC suggests that the Committee recommend that the Planning Board be elected. BC agrees to place this question before the Committee for a vote at the next meeting.

c. RS reports that the town clerk, Wilma McDonald, believes that § 3-1 (g) of the Charter relating to the recall of elected officials is cumbersome and difficult to understand. However, she did not have any specific recommendations on how this section could be improved. BC will follow up on this with the clerk.

d. BC reads comment by Selectman Klima that there is no provision in § 3-1 (f) for filling the position of Town Moderator if it should become vacant. BC will write up appropriate language to address this and present it to the Committee at the next meeting.

e. MG suggests that the Committee recommend that the Affordable Housing Trust be added to the list of appointed committees in § 3-2 (c).

f. BC suggests removing the “sewer advisory board” from the listing of appointed boards in § 3-2 (c) because this board no longer exists.

g. MG moves to add footnote at the end of § 3-2 (c) referring to Chapter 30 of the town by-laws. RS seconds. Vote in favor 6-0 unanimous.

h. BC will talk to the town Historical Commission and the Pike School Trustees about the possibility of their merging into one appointed body.

i. MG suggests the Committee recommend that § 3-4 (a) “Triton Regional School District Committee / Composition, Term of Office” be changed to read as follows: “There shall be a Triton Regional School District Committee which shall be elected in accordance with the Triton Regional School District Agreement.” This suggestion will be voted upon at the next Committee meeting.

j. BC requests that MG write a recommended addition to the Charter that will cover the election of the town’s representative who serves on the Whittier Regional School Committee.

k. BC reads a question from Selectman Klima regarding the reason for the town moderator’s appointment power of the Parks and Recreation Committee. BC will talk to the current moderator about changing his appointment powers.

l. MG suggests that the Committee recommend adding a footnote at the end of § 2-3 (b) “Warrant Advisory Committee” referring to Chapter 30, Article 2 of the town by-laws.

3. Vote on recommended changes to Article 2 of the Charter (Legislative Branch)

a. MG motions to recommend all of the changes suggested in the minutes of June 2, 2009 – RS seconds – vote in favor 6 – 0 unanimous.

4. Visitor Comments

a. Dave Proctor of the Warrant Advisor Committee says that he is aware that the Warrant Advisory Committee is supposed to give a reason for its recommendation to the Town Meeting on each article. Mr. Proctor also reports that the Warrant Advisory Committee is advocating the publishing of an annual Town Report as called for in the Charter. The Committee voices its approval of publishing the Town Report in at least an electronic version.

5. Approval of June 2, 2009 Minutes

a. HC motions to accept the minutes of June 2, 2009 – MG seconds – vote in favor 6 – 0 unanimous.

6. Adjournment

a. The Committee votes unanimously to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:50 P.M.

Minutes Approved By:_____________________________ Date:___________