The central focus of the meeting was the review of the Home Rule Charter, with council members deliberating on the best methods for public engagement and input. They emphasized the importance of framing questions in a neutral manner to solicit unbiased feedback from the community. The council recognized the necessity of iterative questioning, starting with broad inquiries about the council’s effectiveness before narrowing down to specific charter sections, particularly Article Two, which includes issues such as council size and term limits.

To enhance the charter review process, there was a strong sentiment among council members for hiring a consultant. This would aid in crafting meaningful questions and conducting effective public outreach. The proposed budget for consulting services was a point of contention, with amounts ranging between $20,000 to $32,500 discussed. The council aimed to ensure the budget covered consulting, outreach materials, and other related expenses, such as child care and refreshments for public forums.

Another topic was the structure of public forums. Council members discussed the current requirement that half of the forum time be allocated for public comments, which sometimes results in prolonged periods of inactivity. They proposed a more flexible approach to foster dynamic interactions between councilors and the public, allowing the councilors to respond and pose questions during discussions. This change aims to create a more engaging and informative dialogue with the community.

The meeting also addressed the legal language on the town’s website, with concerns about the clarity and accuracy of information related to the charter commission and amendment processes. There was a consensus on the need to update the website to ensure it is informative and reflects the correct legal procedures for charter changes. Members noted that the current language might mislead the public about the roles and powers of the council and the charter review committee.

The timing and process of town elections were also discussed, with suggestions to explore amending the town charter to allow voters to approve the budget directly, rather than through the Town Council. This could potentially align the town’s election processes with the budget cycle, providing voters a more direct role in fiscal decision-making.

In addition, the council considered the inclusion of past councilors’ insights into the review process, acknowledging the value of their experiential knowledge. There was agreement on the importance of identifying priority sections of the charter for public outreach, with a focus on understanding community experiences under the current governance structure.

Throughout the discussions, the council underscored the need for thoughtful preparation in community outreach efforts, recognizing that the process must be inclusive and reflective of the community’s diverse perspectives. The council expressed a desire to balance the urgency of conducting outreach with the need for a thorough understanding of the charter and the community’s concerns.