Council discusses civility rules, phones, texting and staff direction

Council members reviewed specific code-of-conduct provisions and reached consensus around several points while leaving room for staff to produce precise language. Members agreed harassment and offensive language belong in the code of conduct rather than in meeting procedure, and they signaled support for a general civility standard rather than listing every prohibited word. Regarding mobile devices, members agreed phones should be silent during meetings and urged discretion for quick factual lookups, but warned that private side conversations or texting about a deliberative subject could violate open-meeting principles unless publicly disclosed.

The council also emphasized that individual council members should not give directions to staff on behalf of the public body without express council authority; questions about department work are acceptable and may go to the relevant staff contact or the town manager depending on the subject. On media interactions and letters of support, members agreed a council member or mayor may sign as an individual but should avoid representing the town’s official position unless the council has first endorsed that stance.