Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board tables resolution on granting chair emergency authority, agrees to consult attorney
Summary
Board debated a proposed resolution authorizing the chair (or vice chair) to act in emergencies between meetings; members requested clearer limits (dollar caps, definitions of 'emergency') and the board agreed to seek attorney language before taking action.
The Select Board revisited a previously tabled resolution that would authorize the Select Board chair, and in the chair’s absence the vice chair, to take action in emergency situations between meetings. The motion—recommended by the town attorney—prompted questions about how "emergency" would be defined, whether spending authority should be capped, and how the town’s emergency management coordinator’s role intersects with the board’s authority.
One board member warned that broad language could allow future chairs to make significant spending decisions without timely oversight and asked for safeguards such as a monetary cap. Others gave examples of past incidents (e.g., equipment failure during storms) where interim authorization had proved useful to secure contractors quickly. The Chair suggested reaching back to the attorney for more precise language; the board consented to consult the attorney and tabled the item for future consideration.
The discussion emphasized distinguishing life‑safety and immediate infrastructure actions (where rapid decisions may be required) from discretionary spending that should wait for a full board vote. The board asked staff to return with recommended language from counsel that clarifies thresholds, limits, and reporting requirements before any adoption.
