Monday, February 23, 2009

Administration Building

One School Street

Sharon, MA 02067

Present: Peg Arguimbau, Allen Garf, Paul Izzo, Abigail Marsters, Andrew Nebenzahl, Paul Pietel and Colleen Tuck

Absent: Sam Liao

Also Present: Russ Sanford and Joe Ferrino from Winthrop and Herbert Gould, member of the community

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

Mr. Nebenzahl stated that before moving forward with tonight’s agenda, he would ask the Commission to reflect on the untimely passing of George Bailey. Mr. Bailey was instrumental in the formulation of the Charter Commission and his intelligence, insightfulness, wit and professionalism will be sorely missed not only by the Charter Commission but also by the entire Sharon community.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

Approve Minutes

MOTION: (Arguimbau/Izzo) Moved to approve the Open Session minutes from the meeting of February 9, 2009 as drafted and submitted to the Committee. Vote was seven in the affirmative.

Acknowledge Correspondence

Mr. Nebanzahl highlighted the contents of a letter that was received by the Town Clerk from the office of Campaign and Political Finance and forwarded to the Charter Commission. A general summary of the finding by the Campaign and Political Finance office is that after investigating allegations that a citizen may have violated the stipulated rules and regulations, the ruling is that the inquiry is closed with “no action”.

Meeting with Joe Ferrino and Russ Sanford, members of the Winthrop Town Council and former members of the Winthrop Charter Commission

Mr. Nebenzahl introduced Messrs. Ferrino and Sanford and thanked them for taking the time to meet with the Commission. Mr. Ferrino and Mr. Sanford presented an overview of their experience. Mr. Sanford was a former School Committee member as well as serving on Winthrop’s Charter Commission and is now a member of their Council. Mr. Ferrino was a former Selectmen as well as serving on Winthrop’s Charter Commission and is now a member of their Council.

Highlights from the discussion with Messrs. Ferrino and Sanford:

Winthrop changed from a Representative Form of Town Meeting to a Council form of government in 2005. The Council is made up of 9 members: 6 precinct representatives, 2 at-large representatives and a Council President, who is elected by the community in a general election. Staggered elections are held every 4 years. Election for Council President is held every 2 years. Every Council meeting has a “Public Comment” on the agenda both at the beginning and end of the meeting whereby citizens can address any comments/concerns they might have. Council members are paid $2,200 per year and the Council President is paid $5,500 per year.

There was a discussion on representation for the entire community given the fact that citizens are allowed to speak at every meeting but cannot vote on any issue coming before the Council. Mr. Ferrino and Mr. Sanford stated that if citizens can express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with Council votes at election time by either voting them off the Council or voting to keep them on the Council.

On average, three to eight citizens attend regularly scheduled Council meetings. When there is an issue on the agenda that has generated interest in the town, such as town/school budgets, attendance is higher. There is a Citizens Financial Committee consisting of 7 members, who make recommendations to the Finance Committee (3 member sub committee of the Council). Winthrop’s school population is approximately 2,200 students. Last year’s graduating class was 99 students. Twenty-eight percent of Winthrop’s population is over 65.

Winthrop has a strong Town Manager form of government. The Town Manager oversees the day-to-day business of the town as well as hiring personnel, termination of personnel, negotiating union contractual agreements, etc. The Council is the policy maker for the town. The Council evaluates the Town Manager’s performance.

In the opinion of Messrs. Ferrino and Sanford, the advantages of Council form of government:

• Votes by the Council are transparent and there is immediate accountability.

• Citizens are able to express their opinions and concerns with Council members and do not have to wait for Town Meetings.

• Council members take their responsibilities seriously and insure that they are informed on all issues, i.e. zoning, planning, etc.

• Emotion is taken out of decision-making process rather than a “stacked” town meeting where town meeting members have voted on complex issues based on emotions.

• Projects and decisions are able to move forward quickly rather than the slower process of Town Meeting.

• Council President was appointed as a voting member of the School Committee. It is the hope that communications between the town and school department would improve by having the Council President as a voting member of the School Committee.

In the opinion of Messrs. Ferrino and Sanford, areas that need to be tweaked/improved.

• Revisit loopholes in Charter language.

• The Council President rather than being elected by the general population should be appointed by the Council .

• Scheduled quarterly meetings between the School Committee and Council be written into the Town Charter.

Mr. Nebenzahl, on behalf of the Charter Commission members, thanked Mr. Ferrino and Mr. Sanford for an informative discourse. Mr. Ferrino and Mr. Sanford left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Nebenzahl briefly outlined the proposed protocol for filling the vacancy on the Commission. Discussion on filling the vacancy will be an agenda item at the next meeting.

Mr. Nebenzahl stated the next meeting is scheduled for March 2^nd.

There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mr. Nebenzahl asked for a motion to adjourn.

MOTION: (Tuck/Arguimbau) Moved to adjourn. Vote was seven in the affirmative.

Open Session was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Submitted on behalf of the Charter Committee by: Helen Campanario, Recording Secretary to the Charter Commission