OPEN SESSION
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
Administration Building
One School Street
Sharon, MA 02067
Present: Peg Arguimbau, Allen Garf, Paul Izzo, Abigail Marsters, Andrew Nebenzahl, Suzi Peck, Paul Pietal and Colleen Tuck
Absent: Sam Liao
Mr. Nebenzhal, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
Approve Minutes
Mr. Nebenzahl asked for motions to approve the following Open Session minutes of June 8th as submitted.
MOTION: (Marsters/Garf) Moved to approve the Open Session minutes from the meeting of June 8, 2009 as submitted to the Committee. Vote was six in the affirmative. Suzi Peck abstained.
Acknowledge Correspondence
Mr. Izzo stated that the Charter Commission received a letter on June 12th, which was dated June 4th, from Jodi Blau, in which the pros and cons of an elected vs. appointed Town Clerk were expressed.
Correspondence from Richard Gray was received regarding the roles and responsibilities of town officials and town boards/committees.
Mr. Nebenzahl opened this evening’s discussion by stating that the Commission is now entering the decision phase of deliberations and at this point, would highlight areas in which there is little disagreement among Commission members.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discussion on Issues on Which There is Significant Consensus
First question:
Should the Town of Sharon have a Charter?
Mr. Nebenzahl asked each member to answer the posed question. C. Tuck – yes; P. Pietal – yes, P. Izzo – could see a benefit for having a Charter; S. Peck – yes; P. Arguimbau – not sure at this time; A. Garf – yes; A. Marsters – yes; A. Nebenzahl – yes. Following a discussion, Mr. Nebenzahl asked for a motion.
MOTION: (Marsters/Tuck) Moved to make a matter of record that the Charter Commission should proceed with drafting a Charter for the Town of Sharon. Vote was six in the affirmative. P. Arguimbau and P. Izzo abstained.
Following the vote, there was a discussion on whether a formal vote needed to be taken vs. a consensus of the members.
Mr. Nebenzahl stated that what he will now present to the members for discussion reflects from his notes areas in which the members were in agreement.
Accountability – with respect to elected and appointed boards/committees and those who carry out the policies of the town.
Development and Maintenance of a Strategic Plan – Within the Charter, should it address a long-term plan for the town? P. Arguimbau asked how a strategic plan gets inserted into a Charter.
Finance Director – Following a discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee not to include Finance Director as a consensus item.
Collaboration – Charter should define government functions, roles and scope of boards/commissions. C. Tuck noted that collaboration between boards and committees cannot be mandated. P. Pietal – have the Charter include a mechanism for structured meetings among town/school boards/committees, which would be a means of having measured “checks and balances”.
Volunteerism – Continue to foster volunteerism (i.e. making government participation accessible for all citizens).
Quality of Life – Preserve the quality of life, values and attributes of Sharon.
Transparency and efficiency in town government – Preserve an open and transparent government.
Professionalism and Enfranchisement
Land Use Planning and Land Acquisition
Building Maintenance and Use
Mr. Pietal - how the buildings would be used (operational and long-term planning of buildings) i.e. library.
Public Safety
S. Peck – traffic and waste water management.
Mr. Pietal highlighted his presentation on consensus tracking.
Recall – not a consensus on the recall mechanism. Is there a need for referendum? Recall and referendum language would be a means of “checks and balances”. Topic for further discussion at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Nebenzahl began the process of reviewing the list of town officials and committees as submitted by the Town Clerk. He stated this process is for examination of various boards/committees with the intent of either eliminating or streamlining them.
Priorities and Capital Outlay Committees - Capital Outlay process works well. Should the Capital Outlay Committee and Priorities Committee have a broader composition? Should there be a Long-range Planning Committee separate from the Capital Outlay Committee? Topic for further discussion at a subsequent meeting. It was the consensus of the members that the format and process of the Priorities Committee should be maintained.
It was noted that it is difficult to agree on all of the values. There are no absolutes and members should keep these values in mind as discussion and formulation of the draft Charter moves forward. Mr. Nebenzahl stated that this is not an exclusive list and in the course of creating the draft Charter, members would not be bound by it in their ultimate decision-making.
Topic for further discussion at a subsequent meeting: Finance Committee - Housing Partnership Committee – Standing Building Committee – Water Management Advisory Committee
Planning Board – should be changed to elected rather than appointed? A. Garf, P. Izzo, P. Arguimbau – No. Not a consensus
Library Board of Trustees - should be changed to appointed rather than elected? Yes (consensus).
Town Clerk and Board of Assessors – should be changed to appointed rather than elected? Yes, providing there is objective criteria for selection – i.e. police chief, fire chief (consensus). P. Arguimbau – hesitant to endorse appointment. Board of Assessors remain elected.
P. Izzo – would oppose incorporating into the Charter language that would minimize flexibility. There was a discussion on what should be incorporated into the Charter and what should be piggyback by-laws.
Remain appointed: Board of Health – Conservation Commission - Conservation Commission - Zoning Appeals Board - Community Preservation Commission - Council on Aging, Economic Development Committee, Historical Commission - Housing Affordable Trust - Logan Airport Advisory Committee - Long-range Planning Task Force - Personnel Board – Priorities Committee – Recreation Advisory Committee – Sharon Cultural Council
S. Peck – be mindful of Ad Hoc Committees that may be involved in long-range planning.
Development & Industrial Commission - defunct
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Nebenzahl stated that at the June 22nd meeting discussion would focus on the executive and advisory side of town government. Mr. Pietal asked members to think about who would be the appointing authority. There was a brief discussion on the “elegant solution” form of government. Mr. Nebenzahl asked members to review what has been discussed to date and submit to him or the recording secretary a list of issues that need to be resolved.
The next meeting of the Charter Commission is scheduled for June 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mr. Nebenzahl asked for a motion to adjourn.
MOTION: (Garf/Marsters) Moved to adjourn. Vote was eight in the affirmative.
Open Session was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Submitted on behalf of the Charter Committee by: Helen Campanario, Recording Secretary to the Charter Commission