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

Home Browse Search

• remember, we are all from one community and are working together • no speeches • demonstrate respect • no interruptions • end en time • no inflammatory or patroniz- ing remarks • everyone participates • disagree, but do not be dis- agreeable • stay constructive • no characterizations as "good guy" and "bad guy" • no blaming • go into the budget season with empathy for each other's particular roles • stay on subject It is not surprising that the Windham Town Council has also de- veloped its own set of similar but not identical ground rules, adding: "no rush to judgment of each other's opinions". PROCEDURAL GROUND RULES Yrocedura: ground rules often take their lead from municipal char- ters which give councils the authority to develop their own working rules, and in some cases could be said to be reader friendly, accessible, and cus- tomized versions of Robert's Rules of Order. The following examples are drawn from the working rules of the Bath (pop. 9,957) and the Corham (pop.12,542) town councils. Bath's rules fill three pages; Gorham's are eight pages due to the fact that the rules spell out the duties of the nu- merous council committees. In most cases, the wording of the rules as they appear in this article has been modi- fied for editorial purposes. Examples of procedural ground rules: Agenda Items. In Bath, all agenda items, under normal circum- stances, are to be submitted to the town clerk's office six days prior to any regular or special meeting. If not done so, the council chair may present the matter to the council with a majority vote of councilors present required for it to be included on the agenda. Special Meetings. In Gorham, special meetings of the council may be called by the chair; in the absence of or refusal by the chair, the meeting may be called by three members of the town council. Notice of such meetings must be served in person or delivered to the residence of each member at least 24 hours before the time for holding such a meeting, un- less all members sign a waiver of the required notice. Such a notice mailed to each council member and post- marked in Gorham at least two mail delivery days preceding the date of the special meeting shall meet the re- quirement For delivery of to the councilors' residence. The notice shall set forth the matters to be acted upon, and nothing else may be voted upon at the meeting. Executive Sessions. I ath, all m 'ons for executive sions shall state a `nature" o matters to be dealt w . No to other than that referred t in t motion shall be dis- cussed dun executive session. All,,~ ~,"t^p, matters di u ed during executive~f~~ sessions all be h din strictest confi- dence y councilor nd shall not be disc ssed with, or divu d to any per- s other than a Fellow c ncilor or u~Tr~r~aoa~~ The most Durable, Long Lasting Method of Pipe Rehabilitation Without Costly Digging Restore old, broken pipe with new PVC fold and form. Maintain structural integrity and full flow PIPE SF with a minimum of installation time. Preserve your municipal budget while ~ P~ A`~°m you restore your sewer pipes. Cafl/write for lining color brochure. w EPS 1 Eastern Pipe Service, Inc. 268 Columbia Circle, Merrimack, NH 03054 Call Colect (603) 424-4600 box 3571, Ponlan4 ME O410I Call Collect (207 772-9076 I$ Mr{y, 199T MAINE TOWNSMAN