Sharon Charter Commission

Monday, August 25, 2008

Location:           School Department Building

Attendees:

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

Absent:

• Sam Liao

Administrative Items

Mr. Nebenzahl called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

Mr. Nebenzahl circulated an agenda.

Mr. Nebenzahl recognized town resident Mr. Gould and invited him to speak in open forum.

Mr. Bailey motioned for approval of the minutes of August 4^th; Ms. Marsters seconded. The motion was adopted 8-0-0.

Mr. Garf motioned for approval of the minute of August 11^th; Mr. Bailey seconded. The motion was adopted 7-0-1 (1 abstention from Ms. Tuck.)

Approval of minutes from August 18^th deferred to next meeting.

Mr. Izzo reported no receipt of correspondence.

Discussion:

Mr. Izzo reviewed the town groups to be interviewed, as decided by committee vote. Discussion ensued over the potential interviewees and interview procedure. The committee also discussed establishing a time limit for the interview. Discussion ensued over the cover letter to be attached to the questionnaires.

Ms. Tuck discussed the design of questionnaires.

Mr. Bailey discussed his conversation with Peter Hechenbleikner, the Town of Reading’s Town Manager, and how the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association (MMMA) can help the Town of Sharon Charter Commission. Mr. Nebenzahl will invite the MMMA to discuss the questionnaire and share advice with the committee.

Mr. Bailey reviewed the document distributed to the committee containing DHCD information on a group of study communities. Discussion ensued over criteria for choosing other municipalities for comparative analysis. The committee decided to interview officials from:

• Canton
• Concord
• Easthampton
• Franklin
• Palmer
• Walpole
• Wayland
• Winchester

The committee revisited potential interviewees from the Town of Sharon, and Mr. Izzo proposed interviewing the School Superintendent. The committee decided on the following ten groups/individuals to interview internally:

• Finance Committee
• Town Administrator
• Board of Health
• Conservation Commission
• Planning Board
• Selectmen
• DPW Superintendent
• Town Clerk
• School Committee
• School Superintendent

New Business:

Mr. Pietal proposed the Administrative Assistant take on a more substantive role. Discussion ensued over the job functions. Mr. Nebenzahl and Mr. Caplan to discuss expanding the job function of the Administrative Assistant.

Mr. Garf moved to adjourn. Ms. Marsters seconded. The vote passed 8-0.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.  The next meeting will be at 7:00 PM on September 8, 2008, at the School Administration building on School Street.

Minutes submitted by:

Bryan Caplan

Attest:

Paul Izzo

Paul Izzo, Clerk