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Worthington authorizes Select Board to designate member as paid web/media coordinator
Summary
Town meeting approved an article allowing the Select Board to designate a member to serve as a paid webmaster under G.L. c.268A §21A. Discussion focused on scope (web vs. AV), stipend size ($2,000 previously paid), and whether the role should be renamed to cover both web and audiovisual duties.
Voters approved Article 26, which authorizes the Select Board pursuant to G.L. c.268A §21A to designate one of its members to serve as the town webmaster (the Select Board may then appoint and the appointed member would file the required disclosure/recusal paperwork). The article passed by voice vote.
Select Board members and residents discussed the history and scope of the work: Charlie and others described roughly eight to ten hours per week of website and meeting support that had previously been provided unpaid, and one year earlier a $2,000 stipend was paid. Several residents expressed concern that the budget line in Article 7 already listed a $2,000 webmaster item and asked what happens if Article 26 (designation) and Article 7 (appropriation) do not align. The Select Board said the $2,000 item in the budget remains available for website maintenance regardless of appointment outcome and that the board would follow up at its next meeting to clarify scope, title (suggested alternatives included 'web and media coordinator'), and whether audiovisual duties are included.
Some residents urged the town to broaden the role or contract the AV work separately if needed, noting that contracting out AV could cost substantially more. The Select Board said it would consider both appointing a board member and hiring externally as necessary and would clarify duties so future incumbents understand whether AV work is part of the stipended role.
The motion passed unanimously.
