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Chair proposes 48-hour notice policy as members clash over public dissent
Summary
Chair Nick Ferris proposed requiring 48-hour advance notice for absences as the committee debated whether members may publicly oppose committee resolutions without conflict; members discussed meeting-time changes and Town Administrator follow-up.
Chair Nick Ferris raised a proposal to require 48 hours' advance notice for absences after repeated quorum problems, and he asked Town Administrator Mark Walter to develop options for a once-a-month meeting time that might improve attendance.
Ferris also addressed member conduct, warning that public statements opposing committee resolutions could create conflicts with committee membership. Kristin Locke responded, "we don’t lose our rights as citizens to be against something, just because we serve on a committee." Ferris replied that making public statements in opposition "puts you in conflict with your membership on the committee." Members discussed preserving individual rights while upholding committee integrity.
No formal conduct policy was adopted at the July 15 meeting; Ferris asked Walter to return with options for attendance scheduling and the committee signaled interest in a clearer attendance policy.
