Ad Hoc Sub-Committee on Town Committees | March 12, 2025

The meeting focused on reviewing the purpose, composition, functionality, and effectiveness of the Town's standing committees. The Sub-Committee spent time discussing the Airport Commission and term limits for regulatory boards to foster fresh perspectives.

Watch the meeting. AI assisted meeting summary below. Corrections welcome; see contact page.

Key Points

• Committee Reviews and Recommendations: The committee systematically reviewed various committees, discussing their activity levels and relevance. They recommended disbanding or retiring several inactive committees, including the Town Library Committee and the Water Quality Committee, due to redundancy or lack of activity. The Roads Committee was also slated for retirement due to its outdated structure and the DPW's assumed role in road maintenance.
• Jane Eshbaugh Service Community Award: The committee debated the future of the Jane Eshbaugh award. They decided to recommend eliminating the associated selection committee, but maintaining the award itself, to be given out at the Town Council's discretion for exceptional community service.
• Regulatory Boards and Committees: The discussion shifted to regulatory boards, including the Airport Commission, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, etc.
• Airport Commission: Significant discussion surrounded the Airport Commission's independence and its large-scale airport redevelopment plans. Concerns were raised about the commission's autonomy, compensation of the airport manager, and the potential for a charter change to bring the airport under the Town Manager's authority. The committee decided to clarify the commission's authority and explore options for increased oversight.
• Term Limits and Committee Membership: A substantial portion of the meeting focused on proposing term limits for members of regulatory boards and limiting the number of committees a single individual can serve on concurrently. The committee recommended two consecutive three-year terms for regulatory committees, followed by a break, and a limit of one regulatory committee per person at a time. They also discussed the need for clearer guidelines on committee membership and the appointment process.
• Next Steps: The committee agreed to categorize committees (regulatory, advisory, Town Manager appointed) for clarity on the town website. They also planned to gather feedback from department heads and potentially invite committee chairs to future meetings for more in-depth discussions.

Highlights

• The meeting demonstrated a proactive approach to streamlining and improving the efficiency of town committees.
• The discussion regarding the Airport Commission highlighted interest in transparency and accountability.
• The proposal for term limits and committee membership restrictions aims to foster fresh perspectives and prevent stagnation.
• The collaborative and deliberative nature of the meeting showcased effective local governance.