Sharon Charter Commission

Monday, August 11, 2008

Location:           School Department Building

Attendees:

• Margaret Arguimbau
• George Bailey
• Allen Garf
• Paul Izzo
• Abigail Marsters
• Andy Nebenzahl (Chair)
• Paul Pietal
• Sam Liao

Absent:

• Colleen Tuck

New Business:

Mr. Nebenzahl called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.

Mr. Nebenzahl circulated an agenda.

Mr. Nebenzahl introduced Bryan Caplan as the Administrative Assistant of the committee.

Mr. Bailey motioned for the approval of Bryan Caplan as the Administrative Assistant to the Commission.  Paul Izzo seconded the motion, and Mr. Nebenzahl moved for a vote.  The vote passed 7-0 (Mr. Liao did not vote as he had not yet arrived at the meeting.)

Mr. Nebenzahl asked that the minutes of the July 21 meeting to be approved.  Mr. Garf moved, and Ms. Arguimbau seconded the motion.  The vote was passed 5-0-2 (Mr. Izzo and Ms. Arguimbau abstaining.)

Mr. Izzo read correspondence.  Richard Grey addressed comments regarding statements made at the public hearing.  Alice Cheyer addressed information presented by Mr. Bailey regarding town meeting attendance figures.

Mr. Nebenzahl addressed nominees for comparable towns for comparative analysis of government structure.  The list of cities is as follows:

• Braintree
• East Hampton
• Marlboro
• Newburyport
• North Hampton

Mr. Nebenzahl planned to interview municipal officers regarding their experience with governmental structure, inquiring as to their strengths and weaknesses.  Mr. Bailey suggested Melrose as a potential point of comparison.

Mr. Nebenzahl also suggested the towns of:

• Acton
• Andover
• Barnstable
• Belmont
• Canton
• Hopkinton
• Ipswich
• Scituate
• Sherbourne
• Southboro
• Sudbury
• Wayland

Mr. Izzo proposed for the commission to research towns within immediate proximity of Sharon as well.  Mr. Bailey suggested selecting towns with charters currently implemented.

Mr. Nebenzahl invited the rest of the committee to E-mail their suggestions of comparable towns to the administrative assistant.  Discussion ensued regarding potential towns for comparison.

Mr. Bailey, Mr. Izzo, and Mr. Garf will prepare a list of suggested towns composed of two RTM, two council/manager, two council/mayor, and two OTM governmental structures for the meeting next week.

Mr. Nebenzahl addressed the report on consultant interviews.  He was able to contact Lauren Goldberg of Kopelman and Paige.  Discussion ensued regarding the role of a consultant within the committee. Mr. Nebenzahl will look into the implications of inviting Ms. Goldberg to next week’s meeting.

Mr. Izzo reiterated his request for committee members to submit a detailed list of issues that have impacted the town in the last twenty years.

Mr. Nebenzahl called a recess at 8:38 PM.  Mr. Nebenzahl brought the meeting back in session at 8:47 PM.

Mr. Nebenzahl began discussion of the questionnaires prepared by Ms. Tuck.  The members made various decisions were made regarding the content of the questionnaire.  Mr. Izzo volunteered to refine the Department Head Questionnaire based on revisions to the Board or Committee Questionnaire.

Mr. Bailey discussed his voter participation studies.  Discussion ensued over Mr. Bailey’s findings.

Mr. Izzo suggested the committee members discuss the values that motivate them in this process. Discussion ensued regarding what areas to address in the values reflection.  No date was set for the session.

Mr. Pietal suggested members think about the scope of a potential consultant for next week’s meeting.

Mr. Bailey moved to adjourn the meeting.  Ms. Arguimbau seconded.  The vote passed 8-0.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 PM.  The next meeting will be at 7:00 PM on August 18, 2008, at the School Administration building on School Street.

Minutes submitted by:

Bryan Caplan

Attest:

Paul Izzo

Paul Izzo, Clerk