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Vacant commission seat prompts questions about mayoral appointment process
Summary
Commissioners discussed an open seat after Dan Gilbert stepped down and raised concerns that the mayor conducts private interviews before forwarding candidates to council; members asked staff to clarify the written process and said they want commissioners to have input on future appointments.
The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed a vacant seat at its May 28 meeting after Commissioner Dan Gilbert resigned. Commissioners said the current appointment process — in which the mayor reviews applications, conducts a private interview and then sends a recommendation to the town council — effectively limits commission input.
Commissioners asked the mayor’s office to provide the written appointment procedure and requested that town staff or Joe, who manages the commission’s budget and communications, come to a meeting to clarify how candidates are selected. One commissioner said the commission should have a role in weighing candidates because the position represents the commission’s voice to the town.
Town staff indicated the mayor has typically reviewed application materials and interviewed candidates before forwarding a recommendation to council. Commissioners agreed to follow up at a future meeting and invited the mayor or a town representative to explain the process and consider whether the commission should have a formal role in final selection.
No formal change to the appointment process was made at the meeting; commissioners said they will pursue a clearer written process and ask Joe or the mayor to address the commission at the next meeting.
