Keene council directs staff to draft policy limiting council members’ roles on city boards

Keene City Council on Feb. 20 reviewed a multi‑part proposal about elected officials and committee membership and directed staff to prepare a written policy for future council consideration. The discussion covered three topics: councilmembers serving on city boards; members of the public serving on multiple boards; and whether close relatives (spouses, parents, children) should be allowed to serve on the same board or on boards if a family member is a councilmember.

City Attorney Andy Messer reviewed the legal framework: some boards (economic development Type A and B) may include councilmembers under state statute, while planning and zoning and board of adjustment are typically treated as quasi‑judicial or officer positions and create a dual‑office‑holding concern for councilmembers. Messer said council may adopt rules more restrictive than state statute if it chooses.

After extended discussion—including concerns from council members who said council membership on boards could undermine advisory boards’ independence—the council reached direction to staff on the draft language. The mayor broke a tie in favor of the following policy directions:

- Councilmembers should not serve as voting members on appointed city boards (staff to draft implementing language); - Members of the public should be limited to serving on one board at a time (current dual appointees permitted to finish existing terms); - Members of appointed boards should not be a close relative (spouse/parent/child) of a councilmember or of another board member; staff to clarify definitions and any phase‑in language.

Councilmembers asked staff to return a formal draft ordinance or policy for review and formal adoption at a later meeting; the council also directed staff to include transitional language that allows current members to complete terms where needed.