By Adam Swift
Council President Jim Letterie is asking his fellow council members to put more focus on attendance.
“We’ve talked several times over the past few months about certain council rules and attendance and subcommittee meetings and such,” he said at last week’s council meeting. “I’ve asked the council clerk … to get me some information since the beginning of the calendar year. This is the third time we have talked about this, and this is not in any way an insult to any individual councilor, it is not an insult to me as council president if someone cannot attend a meeting.
“To me, it is a disservice to the constituents they serve, and one of the items we were talking about as we talk about people pulling papers is to have a job description, so to speak.”
Letterie said that job description should include some of the council rules and expectations, as well as the number of meetings involved for councilors.
“We have had eight meetings of the council since Jan. 1, and we’ve had three meetings with full attendance,” said Letterie. “We had a spring forum that was set out in the charter … so we can have members of the public learn more about town government and what services are being offered by department heads.”
During the regular meeting prior to the spring forum, Letterie said seven of the nine councilors attended, with only four staying for the following forum.
“I want the councilors to understand the department heads appreciate us listening, the elected members of the town,” said Letterie.
Letterie also discussed attendance and minutes of the council’s subcommittee meetings, noting that of 13 subcommittee meetings held this year, only two have their minutes available online so far.
“I know everyone of these councilors now and in the past, and hopefully in the future, love this town and care about this town and are all trying to do the right thing,” said Letterie. “I just believe we owe the citizens everything we have to give. No councilor is doing this for the money, but they have put in, I’m hoping to see, more effort.”