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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-01-04-APPOINT-min.pdf COMMITTEE TO REVIEW APPOINTMENT PROCURES MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 1972 The meeting was called to order at 7 :40 P.M. by the Chairman, Frank T. Parrish, Jr. Mr. Robert Cataldo, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen was present to discuss appointments made by the Board of Selectmen. The Board, in general, tends to appoint toward experienced people who have knowledge of the problems of the town. For a new appointment to the Board of Appeals they would first look for someone who was both active and interested. Those who have done a conscientious and willing job are usually re-appointed . For the Board of Assessors, the Board of Selectmen looks for people who are knowledgeable in appraisal work as this is more important than experience in town government. The Board of Selectmen has to appointrtembers to the Historic District Commission from among the nominees submitted according to the statute. Mr. Cataldo indicated that the Town Meeting Members Association (TMI 1) themselves sometimes bring in recommendations and people individually write in and ask to be interviewed for a particular job. These persons being considered for appointment are inter- viewed in executive session. Appointments are made in open meetings and it is usually noted on the agenda in advance. The Board of Selectmen tries to appoint people with varying points of view. While many of the individual Board decisions are reported as unanimous, Mr. Cataldo pointed out that this is usually the second vote that is being reported. It is very unusual for any Board in town to make a unanimous decision the first time around . With respect to the Board of Appeals Mr. Cataldo indicated that the Chairman is consulted fairly close to the actual appointment time and his response has always been that "we' ll take whoever you wish to appoint" It was Mr. Cataldo ' s opinion that there are plenty capable people interested, available, and considered for appointment to the various Boards and Committees in the town. The following were suggested - (1) that a list clearly indicating the specific dates appointments run out should be published (the Town Report was considered as a vehicle) ; (2) that appointments should be made in open meetings; (3) that as appointments are made throughout the year, the agenda of the appointing body should carry a notification as to when an appointment is to be made; (4) notice of at least a month or two of openings should be publicized. It was Mr. Cataldo' s personal opinion that the Historic District Commission should be appointed by the Board of Selectmen without any binding nominations from the various groups ; that department heads should be appointed by the Town Manager with a concurrence of the Board of Selectmen; that the Assessors should be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. (For example, the Recreation Committee is a lay committee between Mr. Bertini who works in the recreation area and the Town Manager) . Mr. Cataldo believes that the Recreation Committee should be a policy board setting up the programs for the town, as for example, the reservoir swimming. Once the policy has been set, then the Recreation Committee should leave it to Mr. Bertini and Mr. O' Connell to actually put the policy into operation; that the Town Manager should not appoint lay boards, which means that the Town Manager should not appoint the Recreation Committee. Mr. Cataldo indicated that in his opinion, Mr. Legro and the Comptroller, Mr. Perry, have "whistleblowing" roles. Mr. Legro with respect to contracts and the legal work of the town and the Comptroller by reviewing the work of the Town Manager as well as the independent Boards and Committees fiscally. After Mr. Cataldo left, Mrs. Hagedorn reported on her conversation with the Town Counsel, Mr. Legro, concerning the placing of an Article on the Warrant for this Committee, to have an Article in the Warrant under which the Town Meeting would be expected to vote on the recommendations of this Committee, the report of this Committee must be ready and on file in the Town Clerk' s office. (For example: the structure of government Committee' s report was filed with the Town Clerk at the time the Warrant Article was printed) . Moreover, the text of the Warrent Article must be received by the Board of Selectmen by 5 :30 on January 7, 1972, if it is to be included in the Warrant. Mr. Legro indicated that there could be a full discussion of the report of this Committee under Article 2. This would not allow, however, for a vote on the recommendations of the Committee. As Mrs. Hagedorn did not know of the wishes of the Committee she was unable to discuss with Mr. Legro the recommendations the Committee wants to make. The meeting was adjourned.