Charter Revision Commission
Public Hearing
April 19, 2010
Commission Members Present: Commissioners David Balthazar, Melissa Engel, John Tuttle, Vice Chairperson Julie Ciucias, and Chairperson Terry Concannon,
Also Present: Town Manager, Jeffery O’Keefe, Town Attorney Jean D’Aquila and Town Clerk Sandi Wieleba
There were seven residents from the town in attendance.
Meeting Called to Order
Town Clerk Sandi Wieleba read the Call to Order for the Public Hearing of the Charter Revision Commission at 7:00 p.m.
Opening Remarks by the Chairperson
Chairperson Concannon reviewed each slide prepared by the Charter Revision Commission (see attached) and the proposed changes in each section of the Charter. The slide presentation was prepared using the Final Report of the Charter Revision Commission which will be presented to the Town Council at its meeting on April 27th.
Public Comment
Michael Vasquenza, member of the Board of Education, 40 Walnut Avenue, supported the proposed revisions to Section 6.3. Vacancies in Elective Offices and did not wish to have the Board of Education exempt from this amendment.
Don Coolican, member of the Board of Education, 18 West Street, supported the exemption for the Board of Education for Section 6.3. Vacancies in Elective Offices and referred to his comments made at the April 15th Charter Revision Commission Meeting.
Joanne Barmasse, member of the Board of Education, 6 Tiffany Court, indicated that she could see both sides of the issue as presented by her fellow board members. She supported filling the vacancies with the best person for the position. A question as to how an unaffiliated elector can run for an elected office. It was explained that a provision for unaffiliated electors was provided for in this amendment.
Barbara Moore, 7 Overlook Road, spoke in favor of the proposed changes to section 6.3. Vacancies in Elective Offices. She felt that vacancies in an office elected as a member of a political party should be handled by the same political party. She did not support the Board of Education being exempt from this proposed amendment to the Charter.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, stated that East Hampton had three parties and asked why each party did not have minority representation.
Joanne Barmasse, member of the Board of Education, 6 Tiffany Court, asked why the Board of Education had term limits while the Town Council did not. The Town Attorney will check both State Statute and the Town’s ordinances to see if there is a limit on how many terms you can run for Board of Education.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned until a Special meeting of April 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Town Hall in the Eaton Smith Meeting Room.
The meeting adjournment: Motion by Vice Chairperson Ciucias and seconded by Commissioner Balthazar to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Sandra M. Wieleba, Town Clerk
Approved by vote of Commission
April 21, 2010
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