5.D. PRSR 07-12-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MMA s Governing Sktlls Prodect ~. r(yaknamvt'r t as the , Effecuve Governance Project, has offered elected mumdpaCtals"akill bwlding programs sinceita in- ception in 1991. There aze three standard ptogiainst "Working Together", "Group Dynamics", and "Engaging the Public Conawctively". Councils of boards may wo-k with the MMA to design a progtari that meets its specific needs. For further information, contact Steve Gove at the MMA at'1$00-452.8786. ,.., - kF,n° Great Meetings:. How [o Faulrtate IrkeA Pro", by Pam Plumb and Dee Kelsey.. Available from Hanson Park Press P 0.--Box 8889, Portland, Maine 04101. Cost 329, plus tax and handling. Avadable j'tine I, 1997 to per sin atte ante at the execu- tive sess n. violation of this con- fidentiali requirement shall be deeme o b malfeasance of office and all subjec he offending coun- t' or to sanction b the council as set orth in the city cha r. Posting of Minutes. In Gorham, a copy of the record of the council deci- sions taken at a forma] meeting shall be posted by the town clerk within three working days at one or more places withit: the Town of Gorham. Such minutes shall constitute the offi- cial record of the actions on al] ordi• nances, resolutions, orders and votes taken by the council. Councilor Comments. In Bath, councilors are limited to five minutes in their comments on any one motion before the council. They may also speak for five minutes on any amend- ment to a motion. No councilor may speak more than twice on any given motion or amendment. This rule may be waived by a majority vote of the council present, and such motions maybe made by the councilor wishing the additional time. Public Comment. Because public participation is encouraged during their council meetings, it is not sur- prising that both Bath and Gorham devote a considerable space in [heir council rules to procedures govern- ing that participation. Among other things, Bath allows public comment at the beginning of every council meeting to items that are not on the agenda; it also allows for comment, following [he introduc- tion and discussion by the council of agenda items. All individuals address- ing the council are asked to limit their comments to five minutes or less. and no individual may address the council more than twice on any agenda item. In Gorham, the five minute limit may be extended by the chair. Procedure aside, each set of rules makes one strong statement as to what it expects of the public's behav- ior. In Bath, "No public comment shall be allowed which has the effect of embarrassing or attacking the char- acter of any individual or councilor, and this rule shall be liberally con- strued and strictly enforced." [n Gorham, "Persons present at Council meetings are requested not to applaud or otherwise express ap- proval or disapproval of any state- ments made or actions taken at such meetings." "The Chair shall not allow comments of a personal or deroga- torynature, as they relate to the appli- cant, Councilor or other speakers. Reconsideration. In Gorham, when a vote is passed, a member who voted in the majority, or in [he nega- tive on a tie vote may ask fora recon- sideration at that meeting or at the next regular meeting but not later. Once [he reconsideration is made, it cannot be reconsidered again. In re- gards to petitions, a petition once presented to and acted upon by the town council shall not again be re- ceived for presentation in the same or substantially the same form fora pe- riod of one year. A member of the town council, voting with [he majority on the original petition, shall be privi- leged to reintroduce such a petition. mt FULL-SERVICE ENGINEERING FOR IV(UNIGIPALITIES AND INDUSTRIES y9 !vtglR $T0.EET . TOP$HgM~ 4tiINE 04086. TEI,: ($O7) !2J-a721 . Fwx: (207) 729-8414 i ~ JAMES W. SEWALL COMPANY 11- Building on solid experience since 1880. .Aerial Photography . GPS Surveys . Photogrammetry . Orthophotography . AM/FM/GIS Services .Forestry Services . Software Development .Real Estate Appraisal . Cadastral Mapping .Engineering Services 147 Ccntcr Strect • Post ORcc Box 433 • Old Town, Mainc 04468 Tclcphonc 800/648-4202 • 207/827-4456 • Tclc(ax ?07/327-J641 • Email infoQajws.com MAINE TOWNSMAN Mt{y, 1997 19