Board signs letter to list Tinmouth Community Fund with Benevity; correspondence sparks debate over a 'declaration of inclusion'

The Select Board discussed correspondence and a request to have the Tinmouth Community Fund listed on Benevity (a corporate donation-matching platform). Chair (Speaker 4) said he drafted language stating the community fund is "under the umbrella of the Town of Tinmouth" and asked board members to sign. The board agreed to sign the letter to help the community fund access matching donations, and the Chair said the town treasurer handles deposits and check-writing for the fund's separate accounts.

During the correspondence agenda item, the board also reviewed a letter from Peter Sanzoni. Discussion turned to whether the Select Board should adopt civic statements such as a prior 'declaration of inclusion.' A meeting participant (Speaker 6) said the earlier declaration was "highly offensive" and argued it was inappropriate for the governmental body to make political statements; other members said community groups are free to pursue such measures independently. "It was a bad precedent," the participant said, adding that town government should avoid activism, while other members said citizens may take their own actions if desired.

Board members agreed to consider the correspondence for a future agenda if warranted and did not take a formal vote on adopting any new municipal declaration during this meeting.