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Selectmen table appointment to Board of Ethics amid process questions
Summary
A motion to appoint Renee Blanchett to the Board of Ethics was tabled after selectmen asked personnel to revisit procedures for unaffiliated applicants; the board will discuss the appointment process at its personnel subcommittee before returning the matter to the full board.
The Board of Selectmen on March 10 tabled a motion to appoint Renee Blanchett as a regular member of the Board of Ethics (term to 01/01/2029) and directed personnel to revisit the town’s process for unaffiliated applicants to boards and commissions.
Background: the town recently established a pathway for unaffiliated voters to be considered for boards and commissions rather than routing all appointments through the Democratic or Republican town committees. Staff said the town clerk’s office forwards unaffiliated applications to the town manager’s office; the town manager then forwards nominations for unaffiliated seats. Some residents and selectmen said the process lacked clarity and that a fuller review was warranted so the appointing authority understands how applicants were evaluated.
Selectmen agreed to send the appointment back to the personnel subcommittee for review; a motion to table the appointment passed by voice vote. Board members said personnel will review whether both candidates (two applicants were cited) should be interviewed by the subcommittee, whether deadlines and “open until filled” practices need refining, and how party nominating committees and unaffiliated applicants should be coordinated.
No appointment was made at the March 10 meeting; the matter will return to the full board after the personnel subcommittee completes its review.
