Westport COA debates town bylaw requiring treasurer; elects chair and vice chair

At today’s Council on Aging advisory-board meeting members debated whether the town bylaw’s language — specifically the use of "shall" — legally requires the board to maintain a treasurer. A member who researched the town bylaws said the wording compels a treasurer appointment; other members said the advisory board’s historic practice and guidance from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) differ.

"The way it actually reads... 'shall' — so you have to put someone in that position," a commissioner with the commission on disabilities said when presenting the bylaw text. The chair responded that the COA had been operating with a paid staff member and MCOA guidance and proposed postponing any action that would eliminate or alter officer positions until the proper procedure is followed.

Board members agreed to postpone action on the treasurer position until it can be properly posted and processed; the chair said the treasurer role will be listed on the next meeting agenda. The board proceeded to take a vote on the three listed officer positions (chair, vice chair and secretary) to ensure continuity. A motion to nominate Eileen Moncrief as chair and Tony Tedesco as vice chair was moved and seconded, and members voted to approve the slate for the positions that were properly posted.

Members repeatedly emphasized the distinction between an advisory board and a supervisory or fiduciary board, noting that the COA has advisory duties and limited authority over staff or town expenditures. The select-board representative reminded the group that items not properly posted (for example, adding the treasurer to the agenda) cannot be acted on until the posting requirement is met.

The board directed staff to research the bylaw process and to post the treasurer position for action at the next meeting so the board can follow the town's procedures if it elects to eliminate or modify officer duties.