Also the chairman so surreptitiously gave himself the power to shut down other select board members and they approved it unanimously! Is this the kind of obsequious board we want?
This town is on a slippery slope, first we gave up town meeting so the voters get limited information on the issues they will be voting on. Now our only outlet for public comment is being severely curtailed. For you numbers people that is 50% as you will note in the following draft of the rules.
Note the red and struck through text which reflects the deleted/modified language.
Whether you realize it or not, this is an erosion of our right to speak out on issues. Make it be known you are not happy with this backdoor attempt to limit free speech in our town.
Vito
KILLINGTON SELECTBOARD RULES OF PROCEDURE
A. PURPOSE. The selectboard of the Town of Killington is
required by law to conduct its meetings in accordance with the
Vermont Open Meeting Law. 1 V.S.A. §§ 310-314. Meetings of the
selectboard of the Town of Killington must be open to the public at
all times, except as provided in 1 V.S.A. § 313. At such meetings,
the public must be afforded reasonable opportunity to give its
opinion on matters considered by the selectboard so long as order is
maintained. Such public comment is subject to the reasonable rules
established by the chair of the selectboard. 1 V.S.A. § 312(h).
B. APPLICATION. This policy setting forth rules of procedure
for selectboard meetings shall apply to all regular, special, and
emergency meetings of the Town of Killington selectboard.
C. PROCEDURES.
1. The chair of the selectboard, or in the chair’s absence, a
member selected by the board shall chair the meeting.
2. The chair shall rule on all questions of order or procedure and
shall enforce these rules as required by 1 V.S.A. § 312(h).
3. A majority of the members of the selectboard shall constitute a
quorum. If a quorum of the members of the selectboard is not present
at a meeting, the only action that may be considered by the
selectboard is a motion to recess or adjourn the meeting.
4. At the beginning of each selectboard meeting, there shall be 20 10
minutes afforded for open public comment. By majority vote, the
selectboard may increase the time for open public comment and may
adjust the agenda items and times accordingly.
5. Public comment on issues discussed by the selectboard, if not
offered during the open public comment period, may be offered during
the meeting with the permission of the chair. Such comment, if
permitted, shall be limited to 20 10 minutes, unless by majority
vote, the selectboard increases the time for public comment.
6. Each selectboard meeting shall have an agenda, with time allotted
for each item of business to be considered by the selectboard. Those
who wish to be added to the meeting agenda shall contact the town
manager or selectboard chair to request inclusion on the agenda. The
selectboard chair shall determine the final content of the agenda.
7. All business shall be conducted in the same order as it appears
on the agenda, except that by majority vote of the selectboard, the
order of items to be considered and/or the time allotted may be
modified.
8. Motions made by board members do not require a second. The chair
of the selectboard may make motions and may vote on all questions
before the board.
9. There is no limit to the number of times a selectboard member can
speak to a question. A member may speak or make a motion without
being recognized by the chair. Motions to close or limit debate
will not be entertained.
10. Any selectboard member may request a roll call vote.
11. Meetings may be recessed to a time and place certain.
12. These rules shall be made available at all meetings, and
procedures for public comment shall be reviewed at the beginning of
all meetings.
13. These rules may be amended by majority vote of the selectboard,
and must be readopted annually at the organizational meeting.
_______________________________________
J. Christopher Bianchi
_______________________________________
Bernard Rome
_______________________________________
Patty McGrath
KILLINGTON SELECTBOARD
1 comment:
Thanks for posting this, Vito. You are correct--it IS disturbing. When I listened to Chairman Chris Bianchi introduce this at the March 12 meeting, I thought this was what he was saying. I was so surprised that nobody questioned the idea, I thought I must have misunderstood. As it stands it is completely unacceptable. I suggest that we carry signs with us to all future Select Board meetings that say "Do Not Silence Us." When they cut someone short, we should all hold up the signs.
As far as Bianchi's successful effort to control the other Board members' ability to speak, I don't expect him to do that very often with this Board--unless Bernie Rome continues to express concerns with the Bill's Country Store plans. I will be very surprised to see him silence Patty McGrath. I think that Bianchi's real goal is was to have this rule in place for next year, when Bernie is gone and a new Board member is elected.
Post a Comment