This meeting focused on reviewing the purpose, composition, functionality, and effectiveness of the town's standing committees. The committee discussed recommendations regarding eliminating some committees, term limits, conflict of interest disclosures, and the town website's organization.

Key Points

• Committee Recommendations: The committee initially voted to eliminate several committees (Town Library Committee, Water Quality Committee, Roads Committee, Jane Eshbaugh Community Service Award Committee, and Cable TV Advisory Board). They also favored of term limits (such as two consecutive three-year terms) subject to further discussion, and limiting the number of regulatory committees a member can serve on to one.
• Airport Commission: A significant discussion surrounded the Airport Commission's authority, which requires a ballot initiative to change.
• Term Limits: Concerns were raised about the impact of term limits on regulatory boards, particularly regarding ongoing projects and the loss of institutional knowledge. The committee ultimately decided to leave the term limit recommendation as is, and to revisit the issue .
• Conflict of Interest: The committee reviewed and proposed additions to the conflict of interest statement for committee applicants, including a stronger emphasis on disclosure and consequences for undisclosed conflicts. They also discussed the need for improved training and readily available resources on conflict of interest.
• Town Website Organization: The committee agreed that the town website needs to better organize information on committees, boards, and commissions, including clear links to relevant resources like state ethics guidelines and training materials.
• Committee Effectiveness: A major point of discussion was how to assess the effectiveness of each committee. The committee decided to survey liaisons to gather information on committee functionality, vacancies, and policy impact.
• Staff Support and Training: The lack of staff support for some committees, particularly the Human Services Committee, was highlighted as a significant issue impacting their effectiveness. The committee discussed the need for improved training for committee members and chairs, potentially through videos or a revised handbook.