MERRIMACK CHARTER
COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
November 15, 2005
Commission
members present: Chairman Tom Mahon, Vice Chairman Heather Anderson (arrived at
7:35 PM), Secretary Fran L’Heureux, Peter Batula, Robert Kelley, Finlay
Rothhaus, Tim Tenhave, and Lon Woods
Excused:
David Yakuboff
Chairman
Mahon convened the meeting of the Charter Commission at 7:05 pm in the Conference
Room of the Town Hall.
Announcements
Tom Mahon noted that Attorney Krans is leaving private practice, but will
continue to advise the Charter Commission until its work is finished.
Andrew Silvia, 28 Merrymeeting Drive, questioned whether Adobe and HTML
files might be available. He noted
that the proposed Charter to date is an overall good first step.
There were no reports at this time.
Tom Mahon noted there is a query into the attorney regarding sections
10-5 and 10-11.
A motion was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Finlay Rothhaus to move
the following language to the draft charter:
Article X
General Provisions
10.1 Agreements with Other
Municipalities
The Council is authorized, as
provided by New Hampshire State Law, to enter into agreements and regional
compacts with neighboring cities and towns, state agencies, or private
nonprofit corporations for the purpose of resolving their common problems for
the mutual advantage and benefits of the Town and its neighboring cities and
towns.
10.2 Authentication of Charter:
Copies to be Kept on File
A. Authentication of Charter
Upon adoption, the official
Charter, duly authenticated by affixing the signatures of all members of the
Charter Commission and the Board of Selectmen, the Town Clerk and affixing the
Town Seal, shall be filed with the Town Clerk and remain in the Town Clerk’s
office as the official Charter of the Town of Merrimack. At its first meeting, the Town Council
shall affirm the validity of the Town Charter.
B. Amendments
All amendments to this Charter
shall be authenticated by the Town Council and be filed with and remain a part
of the official Charter.
C. Maintenance
The Town Clerk shall be
responsible for the proper maintenance of the Charter. Copies of the Charter shall be
available to the public, and the Town Clerk may charge a fee to defray printing
costs.
10.3 Charter Amendments
Amendments to this Charter may be
initiated pursuant to the provisions of New Hampshire State Law.
10.4 Indemnification of Town
Officers, Board Members, and Employees
All Town officers and members of
Town agencies shall be deemed to be public or municipal officers or
officials. The Town shall
indemnify any such officer or member for expenses or damages incurred in the
defense or settlement of a claim against the officer or members which arose
while acting in good faith within the scope of official duties or employment,
but only to the extent and subject to the limitations imposed by New Hampshire
State Law.
10.6 Municipal Budget Law Repealed
By adoption of this Charter, the
voters and the Town of Merrimack expressly repeal and rescind the previous
adoption of the provisions of the Municipal Budget Act.
10.7 Public Records and Meetings
All records of the Town and all
meetings of the Council, boards, committees, commissions, authorities or other
municipal bodies shall be open to the public, and their minutes and other
records shall be available to the public in accordance with the provisions of
New Hampshire State Law.
10.8 Reorganization Plans
A. Council Initiated
Except for those agencies
established by this Charter or as otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire State
Law, the Council may reorganize, consolidate, or abolish any existing Town
agency in whole or in part or establish new Town agencies and prescribe the
function of any Town agencies provided that such action shall not eliminate the
statutory duties of Town officials.
Such reorganization plans shall be accompanied by explanatory messages
when proposed.
B. Manager Initiated
The Manager may prepare and submit
to the Council for its approval proposed reorganization plans which may,
subject to applicable law and this Charter, reorganize, consolidate or abolish
any town agency in whole or in part, or establish new Town agencies as are
deemed necessary or expedient.
Such reorganization plans shall be accompanied by explanatory messages
when submitted.
10.9 Severability
The sections of this Charter and
the parts hereof are separable. If
any portion or section of this Charter, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance, shall be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction,
the remainder of the Charter shall not be affected thereby. If a clause, portion of or section of
this Charter is so held invalid, then the applicable provisions of New
Hampshire State Law, if any shall govern.
10.10 Specific Provisions To Prevail
To the extent that any specific
provision contained in this Charter conflicts with any provision expressed in
general terms, the specific provision shall prevail.
The motion
passed 6-0-1.
7.3 Budget Hearings
Tom Mahon
noted that such hearings need to be posted 14 clear days before the date of the
hearing. A copy of the budget
needs to be in the Town Manager’s or Town Clerk’s office. The Commission decided that a
copy of the budget should be in the Town Manager’s office.
A motion
was made by Finlay Rothhaus and seconded by Robert Kelley to adopt the
following language:
7.3 Budget Hearings
The Council shall hold in convenient places as many public
hearings on the budget as it deems necessary, but at least one public hearing on
the budget shall be scheduled at least 20 days before the first session of the
Budgetary Town Meeting at such time and place, convenient to the public, as the
Council shall direct. Notice of
such public hearing and Budgetary Town Meeting, together with a copy of the
budget as submitted, shall be posted in two public places. A copy of the budget shall be available
to the public at the office of the Town Manager during regular business
hours. In addition, notice of such
public hearing and Budgetary Town Meeting shall be published in a newspaper of
general circulation in the Town, and posted on the town web site, at least one
week prior to said hearing.
The motion
passed 7-0-0.
Proposed
Municipal Property Tax Levy Cap
Fran
L’Heureux noted this will only affect the town side of the tax bill, but it is
a good idea and it will help.
A motion
was made by Fran L’Heureux and seconded by Tim Tenhave to adopt the following
language:
The Town Council is
prohibited from adopting a budget, which will result in a percentage increase
in the municipal property tax levy that exceeds the percentage increase in the
annual Consumer Price Index (CPI=U/Boston) for the preceding calendar
year. This limitation may be
overridden by a ballot vote in conjunction with the annual election.
Tim Tenhave
questioned whether this would make a difference. Mrs. L’Heureux noted she thinks it will. It would protect the taxpayers in the
future.
Peter
Batula questioned whether the cap would create an incentive to meet the
cap.
(Heather
Anderson arrived at this time.)
Finlay
Rothhaus noted he has mixed emotions on a tax cap. He noted that the Official Ballot precludes the need for a
tax cap.
Tom Mahon
noted that places where a tax cap is in effect are usually cities where all
appropriations are in the hands of the governing/legislative body. He questioned whether a simple majority
would be needed to override the tax cap.
Mrs.
L’Heureux noted that changes could be made.
Mr. Mahon
noted that this tax cap might have an impact on the town’s bond rating.
Mr. Batula
questioned whether this might have an impact in emergency situations. Mr. Mahon noted that this might be the
case. He also noted that the
history of the town’s portion of the tax rate is very stable.
Heather
Anderson noted that in the proposed Charter the Town Council cannot adopt a
budget.
Mr. Batula
noted that the concept is a good one, but there is a Deliberative Session to
override the suggested budget of the Town Council. He questioned whether a double check is needed.
Tim Tenhave
noted a concern that the Deliberative Session has been scrapped with the
addition of a quorum requirement.
He questioned whether there would be higher budgets if there were
greater revenues. Ms. Anderson
noted that if there were a significant budget increase there would be no
problem obtaining the quorum numbers for the Deliberative Session.
Mr. Mahon
noted this cap would decrease participation at the Deliberative Session. He noted this cap is a two edged sword;
it could make people lazy, and infrastructure could deteriorate.
Lon Woods
noted that some increases in costs are not foreseen.
The motion
failed 1-7-0.
7.4 Final Adoption of Budget
Lon Woods
questioned whether the Charter needs to be referenced in paragraph P.
Tim Tenhave
noted that no money is attached to emergency meetings for ordinances.
Heather
Anderson questioned whether there is a reason for the RSA citations in this
section. Tom Mahon noted that,
hopefully, the process is clear.
He has no problem with language simplification. Finlay Rothhaus noted that keeping the
RSA citations helps with clarity and precision. Mr. Mahon noted that any change in state law might provide
for more flexibility. The charter
still has the separability provision.
Peter Batula noted that if state law is changed, the changes will show.
A motion
was made by Fran L’Heureux and seconded by Finlay Rothhaus to reconsider the
vote for the quorum of 400 at the Deliberative Session. The motion passed 5-3-0.
A motion
was made by Fran L’Heureux and seconded by Finlay Rothhaus to move a quorum at
the Deliberative Session of 250 voters.
Ms.
Anderson noted she is willing to listen to arguments in favor of this move, but
is not in favor of it at this time.
Mr.
Rothhaus noted that if a lower quorum is required a larger percentage could be
required for passage. Mr. Mahon
noted that this is probably not legal.
He noted that most action taken at the Deliberative Session is done
through a simple majority.
Mr. Batula
noted the Commission has discussed this issue before. The Commission is ready to return to the Deliberative
Session with a quorum that is attainable, but challenging. Ms. Anderson noted she agrees with Mr.
Batula. The Commission decided
that it does not want special interest groups pushing decisions in their
favor. The people need to
participate. There is no argument
to change the already adopted quorum.
Mr. Woods
noted he has no inclination to lower the quorum number. He noted the people need to have
confidence in the Charter. He noted
he cannot support any quorum lower than 400 voters.
The motion
failed 1-6-1.
Ms.
Anderson questioned the use of specific RSAs rather than the phrase “New
Hampshire State Law”. Mr. Rothhaus
noted it might be wise to leave of specific RSAs and just put in New Hampshire
State Law. Mr. Tenhave noted that
these are very specific laws and there may be trouble if the wording is
changed. Robert Kelley noted he
likes the specific quotes. Mr.
Mahon noted he struggled with this.
He noted it is easier to cite the RSA reference than to dig through the
law books to find the reference.
Mr. Woods note it is best to leave the references in to provide
precision.
A motion
was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Finlay Rothhaus to adopt the
following language:
A. Notwithstanding
RSA 39:3-d, RSA 40:4-e, the Town of Merrimack shall utilize the official ballot
for voting on all budgetary issues before the voters.
The
motion passed 8-0-0.
A
motion was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Fran L’Heureux to adopt the
following language:
B. The warrant for
any annual budgetary meeting shall prescribe the place, day and hour for each
of 2 separate session of the meeting, and notice shall be given in accordance
with RSA 39:5.
The
motion passed 8-0-0.
A
motion was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the
following language:
C. The first session
of the annual budgetary meeting, which shall be for the transaction of all
business other than voting by official ballot shall be held between the second
Tuesday of March and the Saturday following the second Tuesday in March, at a
time prescribed by the Town Council.
A quorum of 400 registered voters must be present to conduct any
business, including amending any warrant article and the Operating Budget.
The
motion passed 6-2-0.
A
motion was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Robert Kelley to adopt the
following language:
D. The first session
of the meeting, government by the provisions of RSA 40:4, 40:4a, 40:4b, 40:4f,
and 40:6-10, shall consist of explanation, discussion, and debate of each
warrant article. Warrant articles
may be amended, subject to the following limitations:
1)
Warrant articles whose
wording is prescribed by law shall not be amended.
2)
Warrant articles that
are amended shall be placed on the official ballot for a final vote on the main
motion, as amended.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Fran L’Heureux and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
E. All budgetary
warrant articles shall be placed on the official ballot for a final vote.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Peter Batula and seconded by Tim Tenhave to adopt the following
language:
F. The second session
of the annual meeting, to elect officers of the Town by official ballot, to
vote on questions required by law to be inserted on said official ballot, and
to vote on all budgetary warrant articles from the first session on official
ballot, shall be held on the second Tuesday in April.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Robert Kelley and seconded by Fran L’Heureux to adopt the following
language:
G. The Town Clerk
shall prepare an official ballot, which may be separate from the official
ballot used to elect officers, for all warrant articles. Wording shall be substantively the same
as the main motion, as it was made or amended at the first session, with only
such minor textual changes as may be required to cast the motion in the form of
a question to voters.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
H. “Operating Budget”
as used in this section means a statement of recommended appropriations and
anticipated revenues submitted to the budgetary town meeting as an attachment
to, and as part of the warrant for, an annual or special meeting, exclusive of
“special warrant articles”, as defined in RSA 32:2, V.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Fran L’Heureux and seconded by Robert Kelley to adopt the following
language:
I. If no operating budget
article is adopted, the Town either shall be deemed to have approved a “Default
Budget”, defined as the same appropriations as contained in the operating
budget authorized for the previous year, reduced and increased, as the case may
be, by debt service, contracts, and other obligations previously incurred or
mandated by law, or the Town Council may hold a special meeting to take up the
issue of a revised operating budget only; provided that RSA 31:5 shall not
apply to such a special meeting.
If no operating budget article is adopted the estimated revenues shall
nevertheless be deemed to have been approved.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Fran L’Heureux to adopt the
following language:
J. The wording of the
article on the operating budget shall be as follows:
“Shall the Town raise and appropriate as an operating
budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles, the amounts
set forth on the budget posted with the warrant, for the purposes set forth
therein, totaling $______? Should
this article be defeated, the operating budget shall be $______, which is the
same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the
Town meeting, or by law or the Town Council may hold one special meeting, to
take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.”
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Peter Batula and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
K. Voting at the
second session shall conform to the procedures for the nonpartisan ballot
system as set forth in RSA 669:19-29, including all requirements pertaining to
absentee voting, polling places, and polling hours.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Lon Woods to adopt the following language:
L. Approval of all
warrant articles shall be by simple majority except for questions which require
a 3/5 or 2/3 vote by New Hampshire State Law, this Charter, Contract, or
written agreement.
It was
determined that this language is not necessary and the motion was withdrawn.
A motion
was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Fran L’Heureux to adopt the
following language:
M. Votes taken at the
second session shall be subject to recount under RSA 669:30-33 and RSA 40:4-c.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Robert Kelley and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
N. Votes taken at the
second session shall not be reconsidered except by warrant article at a
subsequent annual or special meeting.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion was
made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Tim Tenhave to adopt the following
language:
O. The warrant for
any special meeting shall prescribe the date, place and hour for both a first
and second session. The second
session shall be warned by a date not fewer than 28 days nor more than 60 days
following the first session. The
first and second sessions shall confirm to the provision of this subdivision
pertaining to the first and second sessions of annual meetings. Special meetings shall be subject to RSA
31:5 and 39:3 provided that no more than one special meeting may be held to
raise and appropriate money in any one calendar or fiscal year, whichever
applies, and further provided that any special meeting held pursuant to this
section shall not be subject to RSA 31:5 and shall not be counted toward the
number of special meetings which may be held in a given calendar or fiscal
year.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Fran L’Heureux to adopt the following
language:
P. The Council may
make emergency expenditures in accordance with the provisions of the New
Hampshire Municipal Budget Law, (RSA 32) as the same may be amended from time
to time.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
A motion
was made by Robert Kelley and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
L. Approval of all
warrant articles shall be as provided in New Hampshire State Law.
The motion
passed 8-0-0.
Heather
Anderson noted that in the past the town website has not been designated as a
venue for posting of notices.
(Fran
L’Heureux left at this time.)
A motion
was made by Finlay Rothhaus and seconded by Lon Woods to reconsider the
language in section 7.3. The
motion passed 7-0-0.
A motion
was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
7.3 Budget Hearings
The Council shall hold in convenient places as many public
hearings on the budget as it deems necessary, but at least one public hearing
on the budget shall be scheduled at least 20 days before the first session of
the Budgetary Town Meeting at such time and place, convenient to the public, as
the Council shall direct. Notice
of such public hearing and Budgetary Town Meeting, together with a copy of the
budge as submitted, shall be posted in two public places. A copy of the budget shall be available
to the public at the office of the Town Manager during regular business
hours. In addition, notice of such
public hearing and Budgetary Town Meeting shall be published in a newspaper of
general circulation in the Town, and at least 2 other venues as the Town
Council may designate, at least one week prior to said hearing.
An
amendment was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Heather Anderson to add the
words “at least” after the word “in” and before the word “two”. The amendment passed 7-0-0.
The main
motion passed 7-0-0.
7.5 Borrowing Procedure
Tom Mahon
noted this is taken directly from RSA 33.
It is a 2-step process.
A motion
was made by Lon Woods and duly seconded to adopt the following language:
A. Subject to the
applicable provisions of New Hampshire State Law and the rules and regulations
provided by ordinance in the Administrative Code, the Council may authorize by
resolution the borrowing of money for any purpose within the scope of the
powers vested in the Town and the issuance of bonds of the Town or other
evidence of indebtedness therefore and may pledge the full faith, credit and
resources of the Town for payment of the obligation created thereby; provided
that no notes or bonds shall be issued by the Council in excess of $100,000 per
issue except by a vote of four (4) Councilors, and a vote at a regular or
special Town Meeting called by the Council. Notification and posting of such bond issues in excess of $100.000
shall be in the same manner as if it were a bond issue of a town pursuant to
RSA 33, with voting by ballot at a regular or special meeting. There must be an existing
appropriation, so that the borrowing does not incur expenditures in excess of
the authorized voted appropriation.
The
motion passed 7-0-0.
A
motion was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Finlay Rothhaus to adopt the
following language:
B. Borrowing for a
term exceeding one (1) year shall be authorized by the Council only after a
duly advertised public hearing.
C. The Council may
borrow in anticipation of taxes.
The
motion passed 7-0-0.
7.9 Capital
Improvements Plan
Tom
Mahon noted this is a part of the budget process. The Planning Board deals this with in the fall. This does not supplant nor is there any
intent to supplant anything that is currently done by the Planning Board.
A
motion was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the
following language:
A. The Town Manager,
after consultation with the Planning Board, shall prepare and submit to the
Town Council a capital improvements plan at least one month prior to the final
date for submission of the budget.
The capital improvements program shall include:
(1)
A clear summary of its
contents.
(2)
A list of all capital
improvements including major replacements which are proposed to be undertaken
during the next 6 fiscal year, including, but not limited to, equipment,
infrastructure and facilities, or property, with appropriate supporting
information as to the necessity for such improvements.
(3)
Cost estimates, methods
of financing and recommended time schedule for each improvement.
(4)
The estimate annual cost
of operating and maintaining the facilities to be constructed or acquired.
The motion
passed 7-0-0.
A motion
was made by Heather Anderson and seconded by Lon Woods to adopt the following
language:
B. The capital
improvements plan shall be based on a period of not less than 6 years and shall
be guided by the Master Plan for the Town.
C. The foregoing information may be revised and extended
each year with regard to capital improvements still pending or in process of
construction of acquisition.
The motion
passed 7-0-0.
A motion
was made by Robert Kelley and seconded by Tim Tenhave to delete section D. The motion passed 6-0-1.
A motion
was made by Tim Tenhave and seconded by Heather Anderson to adopt the following
language:
E. A summary of the
updated capital improvements plan with estimated costs shall be included in the
Town report and the current year costs of the capital improvements plan shall
be included in the Town budget.
The motion
passed 6-1-0.
A motion
was made and duly seconded to adopt the following language:
(F) The
Town Council shall publish in one or more newspapers of general circulation in
the Town a general summary of the capital improvements plan and a notice
stating: (1) the times and places where copies of the capital improvements plan
are available for inspection by the public; and (2) the date, time and place
not less than 2 weeks after such publication, when a public hearing on said
plan will be held by the Town Council.
(G) After the public hearing and on or before 60 days prior
to the start of the ensuing fiscal year, the Town Council shall by resolution
adopt the capital improvements plan with or without amendment, provided that
each amendment must be voted separately and that any increase in the capital
improvements plan as submitted must clearly identify the method of financing
proposed to accomplish the increase.
An
amendment was made and duly seconded to the main motion to delete (F) and the
first phrase of (G) from Section 7.9. The amendment passed. The main motion as
amended passed 7-0-0.
A motion
was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Robert Kelley to reconsider the vote on
section 3.8. The motion to
reconsider passed. A motion was made
and duly seconded to add the words “except the adoption of a Town Budget” at
the end of the first sentence in the first paragraph. The motion passed 6-0-1.
A motion
was made by Lon Woods and duly seconded to adopt the following language:
7. Majority
Vote. Unless otherwise expressly
provided and a voting quorum being present the words “majority vote” shall mean
a majority of those present.
The motion
passed 7-0-0.
Tim Tenhave
noted there is no definition for “ordinance”. There is use of the word “measure” and “ordinance” in the
proposed Charter. Is the word
“measure” less restrictive than the word “ordinance”?
A motion
was made by Tim Tenhave and seconded by Heather Anderson to adopt the following
language:
Article XII
Definitions
Unless another meeting is clearly apparent from the manner
in which the word is used, the following words as used in this Charter shall
have the following meanings:
(1)
Charter. The word “charter” shall mean this
Charter and any amendments to it made through any of the methods provided under
RSA 49-B.
(2)
Council.
The word “council” shall mean the Town Council as promulgated in Article 3 of
this charter.
(3)
Days. The word “days” shall refer to calendar
days.
(4)
Deadline/Due
Date. When a “deadline” or “due
date” falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or other day or date when no
business is transacted due to a closure occasioned by a federal, state or
Council declaration, the Deadline or Due Date shall be the next regular
business day of the Town.
(5)
Emergency. The word “emergency” shall mean a
sudden, unexpected, unforeseen happening, occurrence or condition which
necessitates immediate action.
(6)
Initiative
Measure. The words “initiative
measure” shall mean a measure proposed by initiative procedures under this
Charter, but excluding:
a.
Matters relative to the
organization or operation of the Town Council;
b.
An
emergency measure passed in conformity with this Charter;
c.
The
Town budget;
d.
Tax
anticipation notes;
e.
Any
appropriation for the payment of the Town debts or obligations;
f.
Any
appropriation of funds necessary to implement a duly adopted collective
bargaining agreement;
g.
Any
proceeding, or part thereof, relating to the election, employment, appointment,
suspension, transfer, demotion, removal or discharge of any Town officer or
employee;
h.
Any
proceeding repealing or rescinding a measure, or a part thereof, which is
protested by referendum procedures.
(7)
Majority
Vote. Unless otherwise expressly
provided and a voting quorum being present the words “majority vote” shall mean
a majority of those present.
(8)
Measure. The word “measure” refers to a specific
act, or proposal. The specific act
or proposal may be a resolution, an ordinance, a referendum vote to be taken,
or other proposed action, depending on the matter to be acted on.
(9)
Multiple
Member Body. The words “multiple
member body” shall mean any body consisting of two or more persons, whether
elected, appointed, or otherwise constituted.
(10)
Number
and Gender. The singular number may be extended and applied to several persons
or things; words imparting the plural number may include the singular; words
imparting the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender; and words
imparting the feminine gender shall include the masculine gender.
(11)
Referendum
Measure. The words “referendum
measure” shall mean:
a.
a
measure protested by referendum procedures under this Charter, including a
specific item in the Town budget, but excluding items a through g listed in the
definition 6 initiative measures, or;
b.
any
proceeding of the Town Council providing for the submission or referral of a
matter to the voters at an election.
(12)
State Law. The words “state law” shall mean New
Hampshire State Law as embodies in the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) and
rules adopted under law.
(13)
Town. The word “Town” shall mean the “Town of
Merrimack”.
(14)
Agency. The words “Town Agency” shall mean any
board, commission, committee, department, or office of the Town government.
(15)
Voters. The word “voters” shall mean registered
voters of the Town of Merrimack.
The motion
passed 7-0-0.
A motion
was made by Lon Woods and seconded by Robert Kelley to accept the minutes of
October 25, 2005 as submitted. The
motion passed 7-0-0.
The
Commission decided to move the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, 2005
to Wednesday, November 30, 2005 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
The meeting
scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 2005 will be held at 6:00 PM.
Commission Member Comments/Remarks
Finlay
Rothhaus expressed his disappointment over the unsubstantiated remarks made by
Peter Batula at the last meeting of the Commission that there was a
solicitation of votes. Mr.
Rothhaus felt these were unfounded.
Adjournment
A
motion was made by Peter Batula and seconded by Lon Woods to adjourn the
meeting at 10:32 PM. The motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully
submitted,
Rita
Carlton, Recording Secretary