MERRIMACK CHARTER COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

January 17, 2006

 

 

Commission members present: Chairman Tom Mahon, Vice Chairman Heather Anderson, Secretary Fran L’Heureux, Robert Kelley, Finlay Rothhaus, Tim Tenhave, Lon Woods, and David Yakuboff.  Excused:  Peter Batula.

 

Chairman Mahon convened the meeting of the Charter Commission at 7:10 pm in the Conference Room of the Town Hall.

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Public Comment

There were no members of the press or public present.

 

Reports

There were no reports from the Chair and Vice Chair.

 

Public Awareness Subcommittee Report

Tom Mahon reported on the meeting of the Subcommittee that was held on January 13, 2006.  The Subcommittee is proposing Five Key Points regarding the adoption of the Charter:

 

            Better Representation

            Clear, Defined Roles for Administrative and Elected Officials

            More Citizen Power Through Initiative and Referenda

            Keeps Spending and Taxes in Hands of the Voters

            Customized and Flexible for Merrimack

 

Heather Anderson asked for the entire Commission to consider ideas and suggestions for other talking points under each topic.  A general discussion among the members ensued.  And several ideas were presented regarding the five issues listed above.

 

Finlay Rothhaus felt that they were a good set of ideas.

 

Lon Woods opined that the Charter not only provided better representation with 5 members rather than 7, but the Charter also demands better opportunities to address the Council which then ties in with better representation.

 

Tim Tenhave offered that the public hearings and other means for input means that the public can be heard and voters can get up and speak for themselves.

Dave Yakuboff also weighed in on the larger governing board and feels that there are more “ears” and more expertise to bring to issues, like economic development, Town Center issues, and representation on Town committees.

 

The Commission moved on to review some of the ideas for a public awareness effort. The Subcommittee looked at the Fire Side Chat concept, a Tri-Fold handout, preparing a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) list, the concept of a call in program, and updating the Comparison Chart that was submitted with the Preliminary Report.

 

The Commission also discussed the Customized and Flexible aspect of the Charter.  The Charter allows the Town to mesh the Government style with the Town’s style and needs rather than relying on the “one size fits all” of state statutes.

 

Lon Woods requested that any presentation express some of the provisions of the Transition in Article 12 as a substantial portion of the way that we do business now does not change.

 

After further discussion, the Commission agreed that the 4th item should reflect control over “spending” rather than “taxes’ as a more appropriate way to make the point.  There was also a discussion of changing the third point to remove the word “power” and substitute a more meaningful and precise word.  One phrase suggested was “Enhanced Citizen Control Through Citizen Initiatives and Referenda”.

 

David Yakuboff will coordinate arranging for presentations to civic and social groups in the community such as the Rotary, Lions, Exchange, and Senior Citizens.  At least two members of the Commission will present at these groups when scheduled.  Other members are free to participate.

 

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of November 8, 2005:

Tim Tenhave moved to approve with amendments and a second was made by Heather Anderson.  The amendments included:

            p.4 correct the word information in Article 7

            p.11 third paragraph, change “not” to “no”

p.11 sixth paragraph should read “use”; change “not” to “no” and “stiffly” to “stifle”

p.12 Section 7-2, line 3 “n” to “no”

p.14 Change “RSA 49D” to “RSA 49-D”

The motion was adopted 8-0-0.

 

Minutes of November 15, 2005:

Tim Tenhave moved to approve with amendments and a second was made by Fran L’Heureux.  The amendments included:

            p.11 Definitions 9 Multiple Member Body as two or more persons

            p.11 Definitions 10 persons should replace person

            p.3 amend sentence to read “…tax cap.” and eliminate remainder of sentence

The motion was adopted 7-0-1 with Mr. Yakuboff abstaining.

Minutes of November 22, 2005:

Tim Tenhave moved to approve with amendments and a second was made by Lon Woods.  The amendments included:

            p.9 Article V change “was” to “has”

The motion was adopted 7-0-1 with Chairman Mahon abstaining.

 

Minutes of November 30, 2005:

Heather Anderson moved to approve with amendments and a second was made by Fran L’Heureux.  The amendments included:

            p.1 correct the Committee name by inserting “Hill” and “Ad Hoc”

The motion was adopted 8-0-0.

 

Minutes of December 6, 2005:

Heather Anderson moved to accept as printed with a second by Bob Kelley.  The motion was adopted 8-0-0.

 

Minutes of December 13, 2005:

Tim Tenhave moved to approve with amendments and a second was made by Fran L’Heureux.  The amendments included:

            p.1 Add Attorney Allan Krans to the listing of individuals present.

            p.2 Article VIII, change “RSA 39B” to “RSA 39:3”

p.2 Last paragraph, remove closed quotes after “words” and insert open quotes before “document”

The motion was adopted 8-0-0.

 

Questions from the Press / Public Comment

There were no members of the press or public present.

 

Comments from Commissioners

There were no comments from the Commissioners.

 

Lon Woods made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Fran L’Heureux, and passed 8-0-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted

Tom Mahon, Chairman