Location: School Department Building
Attendees:
Absent:
Mr. Pietal called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.
Mr. Pietal circulated an agenda.
Open Forum was held. Resident Mr. Herb Gould stated that he had sent an e-mail to the members on August 28, 2008. Mr. Izzo stated that he had not seen it and that he would make sure he received it this week and acknowledge it at an upcoming meeting.
No other residents were present.
The members voted 6-0 to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2008 meeting (Mr. Liao abstaining).
Mr. Izzo reported no receipt of correspondence.
Discussion:
Mr. Pietal recognized guest Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager of the Town of Reading, and invited him to speak.
He stated that he has been TM in Reading for 22 years. He is President of the Form of Government Committee of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association (MMMA), an organization of about 150 governmental professionals.
He distributed MMMA brochures to the members.
He described Reading. It has about 24,000 residents and is about 10 square miles in size. There are five selectmen and a Representative Town Meeting. RTM has existed about 50 years.
There are 8 RTM precincts, each of which elects 24 members for a total of 192. Each member has a three-year term. A quorum of 50% is required for any action. In his experience, people rarely campaign for RTM.
Approximately 50 towns have RTM. He opined that RTM has advantages. No interest group can “stack” the meeting. Most RTM members take the process seriously, becoming informed and focusing on what is right for the community as a whole. Ordinary citizens may speak at RTM. He opined that OTM is “not more representative.” Selectmen, school committee members and other town officials often serve. Reading has not observed a problem with government employees stacking RTM.
Annual town meeting ordinarily takes two nights, but this year it was completed in one. There are one or two other “special town meetings” each year. There is no formal process to solicit input from residents. The RTM has a Rules Committee that sets forth how the meeting is to operate. Ten voters can file a petition to bring a matter before RTM.
There is a Finance Committee of nine members, none of which may serve on any other formal committee.
There are five Selectmen in Reading. In his opinion, Sharon is in the minority having only three.
He stated that more and more towns are strengthening the administrator/CEO role in their community. For ordinary functions, he opined that it is better to have central authority in one person. The town manager usually has that.
On the issue of planning, he stated that three-year or longer planning is difficult because variables such as the amount of state aid change from year to year. However, Reading does have capital planning. All articles presented at RTM must be in the five year capital plan or the plan must be amended to include them.
Mr. Liao stated that he believes Sharon government has a great deal of planning. He described his experience with the School Committee and other governmental bodies. Mr. Bailey responded, as did Mr. Izzo. Mr. Izzo stated that the question whether Sharon has good long term planning is matter for further investigation and consideration by the members.
Mr. Hechenbleikner discussed briefly other forms of government, specifically Council-Manager and Council-Mayor.
He stated that Reading has used a Charter Review Commission to handle minor or administrative matters that need to be addressed over time. Anything deemed, however, to relate to the form of election must go to a Charter Commission.
In Reading, the Selectmen, School Committee, Municipal Light Board, Assessors and Library Trustees are elected. He opined that a Board of Assessors should not be elected. The Town Clerk and Town Treasurer are appointed.
He concluded by offering to make himself and other members available in the future. He suggested that the members talk to others on his committee familiar with other forms of government. He also suggested that the members consider a panel discussion.
The members thanked Mr. Hechenbleikner for his presentation. At 8:45, a recess was taken.
The meeting resumed at 8:50.
The members discussed the list of recent governmental events/decisions in Sharon. Mr. Izzo had agreed to compile a list for use by the Commission. He stated that only three members had sent him ideas. He received further suggestions from Mr. Liao and agreed to circulate the list.
Mr. Liao stated that he feels he has been interrupted during meetings. He also stated that he feels some members have made statements that have been “out of order.” Several members discussed Mr. Liao’s statement.
Mr. Bailey reported on the progress of locating Special Acts in the Town of Sharon.
The members discussed whether to engage a consultant. Mr. Bailey supported the idea. Mr. Pietal stated that he questioned the need for a consultant and whether he/she might attempt to become in effect a “tenth member.” Mr. Izzo supported the idea because he/she could help with the political aspects of getting the charter enacted, and help the members stay focused and on schedule. Ms. Arguimbau stated that she disfavors a consultant. She is more inclined simply to reach out to outside resources as they are needed. Ms. Marsters stated that there are things out there the members may not know. She also stated that the members are not likely to be influenced by the opinion of a consultant if it is expressed and finally, he/she need not attend every meeting. Mr. Garf stated that he favors a consultant because he/she could help with focus. He said there is more to the process than the members may originally have envisioned. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Garf discussed the Community Preservation Committee’s experience with a consultant, which they described as very positive.
The members agreed that they would discuss further whether a consultant is required.
The members voted 7-0 to adjourn the meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM. The next meeting will be at 7:00 PM on September 22, 2008, at the School Administration building on School Street.
Minutes submitted by:
Paul Izzo
Attest:
Paul Izzo, Clerk