Increasing the Select Board to 5 Members

There is a petition warrant article asking the townspeople to increase the number of selectmen from 3 to 5. At the Public Hearing on this issue, both Jeanettee stewart and Glen Dion were in favor of keeping the number at 3. They said that it is easier to conduct business with a 3-member board and that in their experience more is accomplished. There is, however, no evidence to support or refute these claim. The previous 5 member board had some contentious sessions, but former Selectman Sandra disputed the claim that more can be accomplished with 3 members. How boards function and how much they accomplish is influenced by a number of factors including how well the people on the board work together and the amount of work that actually needs to get done.

People in favor of a 5-member Select Board raised several concerns. The first was that they wanted broader representation. If there are 3 selectmen and one is absent, important decisions can be made by just two people. This was the case when Dennis Potter resigned and the board had to appoint a new selectman. There was no formal public selection process. Dan Golden put Glen Dion's name forward in a motion. The motion was seconded by Jeanette Stewart. There was a very brief discussion about Glen's qualifications, none of the other candidates were discussed, and the two voted in favor of Glen.
Several people mentioned that it is that it is difficult for a 3-member Select Board to fulfill its functions and meet its obligations with only three members. The selectmen are required by law to be ex officio members of the Budget Committee and the Planning Board. In the past, selectmen have acted as liasson to the Electric Department, the Water and Sewer Department, and other town committees and boards. They have also represented the town at public functions. This year, however, the selectmen have not been able to attend Electric Department and Water and Sewer Department Meetings, the Table Top exercise (an Emergency Services exercise), the Charrette meetings, the opening of the River Street Bridge, the 4th of July Parade, or Christmas night.

Glen Dion's response to these comments was that the Selectmen do not have to attend every meeting and every function. Jeanette Stewart said that the board sends the town administrator and the administrator reports back to the board. Whether you decide to support the 5-member may be determined by what your philosophy is concerning the involvement of the Select Board in town meetings and activities.

Perhaps the most import issue was raised by Fran Newton. She said that the town is facing very serious financial problems and that we need the ideas and leadership of more people to deal effectively with these issues. We will need to develop a long term perspective in dealing with our finances, and we need to bring sustainable business to the town if we are to maintain our quality of life and meet our financial obligations.