Resident urges ordinance to bar multiple family members serving on the same town boards

Bruce Sedgwick appealed to the Planning Board and recounted a request he presented to the Select Board: to create a town ordinance that would limit service to one registered voter per household on any Jefferson town board or committee.

"Create a new town ordinance to limit the number of people on existing, as well as any future created, Jefferson town boards and committees (including sub-committees) to one registered voter from any Jefferson family household," Sedgwick said, summarizing his request. He also attended the May 4 Select Board meeting, where the Select Board voted to have the Planning Board write such an ordinance.

Chair Bill Farren said he researched Maine municipalities and did not find an existing municipal ordinance with that scope; he noted state law (Title 30-A §2691) limits only spouse participation on the Appeals Board. The board discussed scope and clarified the proposed ordinance would apply to members of the same household serving on the same board or committee, and that voter registration status of household members is irrelevant to eligibility.

The Planning Board outlined the process the ordinance would follow: drafting by the Planning Board, attorney review, redrafting if necessary, Select Board review, an open town meeting for public Q&A, and a town-wide vote. The board did not set a target town vote date; timing will depend on Planning Board priorities and the Select Board’s guidance.

Next steps: Planning Board to draft ordinance language, obtain attorney review, and seek direction from the Select Board about placing the ordinance on a warrant for town vote.