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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Sept 25, 2007 10:51:27 GMT -5
I posted a story from Holmdel whereby an ordinance stated that all open committee positions must e made public in someway. www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070925/NEWS01/709250336/1004/NEWS01I do not think we have that ordinance, and I would like to propose one further thing to that: All committee members must be Residents or property owners in the borough of Freehold (not owners of a business in Freehold, or employed in the boro). After all, all officers of the borough, zoning and planning board must be residents; board of ed must be residents. I am sure many others, why not this one? Considering that outside rabble rousers sued us, why invite them into this group? |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Sept 25, 2007 10:58:53 GMT -5
I posted a story from Holmdel whereby an ordinance stated that all open committee positions must e made public in someway. www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070925/NEWS01/709250336/1004/NEWS01I do not think we have that ordinance, and I would like to propose one further thing to that: All committee members must be Residents or property owners in the borough of Freehold (not owners of a business in Freehold, or employed in the boro). After all, all officers of the borough, zoning and planning board must be residents; board of ed must be residents. I am sure many others, why not this one? Considering that outside rabble rousers sued us, why invite them into this group? Hummm so if there was a highly qualified committee member from out of the municipality, with time to volunteer would you allow this person to sit on the committee without a voting right? |
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Sept 25, 2007 11:04:53 GMT -5
highly qualified in human relations? do you want one "expert" to run a whole committee? I am sure that they can arrange speakers to given them information when they need it.
So yes, for the human relations committee (which is about being a liaison between residents and council), I would say that.
Do you know that the rec commission requires residency? So Parcels is out as a coach.
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Sept 25, 2007 11:12:13 GMT -5
I will personally request and review this Holmdel ordinance. If I believe that there is some merit in it, I may place this item on a future workshop agenda.
However, I strongly disagree and wold not support anything with an absolute residency requirement for ALL of our committees. By doing this we would be greatly handicapping our efforts, in a very small town, which may need to include specialzed talent on several of its committees.
We need to look at every situation on a case-by-case basis and craft our ordinances, accordingly. Not every Borough "outsider" is a "rabble rouser" and, most often, we do need to encourage those with opposing views to participate. This is why we keep our committees at odd numbers. So that the voting majority drives policy recommendations and other suggested outcomes.
Marc
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Post by admin on Sept 25, 2007 11:45:22 GMT -5
I think this is a great idea for our town to explore. I would urge caution in requiring residency for committee members. Sometimes the professional expertise is very important. The Historic Preservation committee is a very good example. There are talented people donating their time to us. We should not take that for granted.
Same thing with the new CIC. Although we did draw in some very good people from inside our town, we have a couple from outside who are very, very valuable to us. That entire committee is professionals.
Beyond that, I think the town should look for creative measures to advertise and draw in our own residents first where ever there is an opening. We should exist every measure to find our own residents with talent before we look outside the boro. I think some good aggressive advertising when a spot opens up would prove that we do have many good talented people in the borough.
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Sept 25, 2007 12:33:38 GMT -5
I had Clare advertise in the Transcript for Historic Preservation Commission members back in the Spring. We received a total of three calls. Only one lived in Freehold Borough and she never followed through. Of the other two, a woman from Howell (owns and is rehabbign two old houses in the Borough) dropped out of consideration for appointent for personal reasons.
It's not so easy to find volunteers, especially in a town of our size. Very few people get turned away from opportunities, because so few seem to be interested.
This is why I salute the volunteers we do have. Some have served for YEARS (eg: Sheryl Mott, Lillie Hendry, Barbara Oliver, Roger Kane, Augie Daesener, Peanut Holloway, Lynn Reich etc.).
Marc
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Sept 25, 2007 12:43:12 GMT -5
This would never happen (one member running the whole committee). And, guest speakers are great for topical information (as we learned with the Rental Committee), but "continuity" would be lost on committees with ongoing specialized needs.
The HPC really misses the expertise that Ed Carroll and Ken Kalmis offered us. We'll get by with our new members, which also include some non-residents, but the learning curve may take somewhat longer and the commission's level of professional expertise may fall short of what it was. That's unfortunate.
Marc
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Post by cheryl on Sept 25, 2007 14:02:02 GMT -5
Are any of the new HPAC appointments residents of the town? |
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Sept 25, 2007 14:26:24 GMT -5
Rob Sive, Deborah Loring, Carl Steinberg (lifetime resident, former Councilman and town businessman), Anthony DiFlumeri
Barbara Wagner does not live in town, but has been a realtor in the American Hotel Building for EONS. She's a Borough thinking person. Interesting aside, she's older than me, but we were neighbors since the 1950's on Taulors Mills Rd in Manalapan. She's a good addition to the committee - she loves Freehold.
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Post by cheryl on Sept 25, 2007 14:33:53 GMT -5
Rob Sive, Deborah Loring, Carl Steinberg (lifetime resident, former Councilman and town businessman), Anthony DiFlumeri Barbara Wagner does not live in town, but has been a realtor in the American Hotel Building for EONS. She's a Borough thinking person. Interesting aside, she's older than me, but we were neighbors since the 1950's on Taulors Mills Rd in Manalapan. She's a good addition to the committee - she loves Freehold. Thanks for your clarification. Barbara and I were both on the exploratory version of the committee for several years and it's good to know she's back on board. |
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Sept 27, 2007 8:05:01 GMT -5
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Jan 21, 2008 13:57:44 GMT -5
Ah....see, Libyan...when you put up links to old threads...new questions arise!!! Well...does anyone know what happened with this Holmdel ordinance that Marc put on the November workshop agenda? There seemed to be some interest in this topic back then...was it carried through? or did it simply get forgotten?? |
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Jan 21, 2008 15:10:03 GMT -5
This would never happen (one member running the whole committee). And, guest speakers are great for topical information (as we learned with the Rental Committee), but "continuity" would be lost on committees with ongoing specialized needs. The HPC really misses the expertise that Ed Carroll and Ken Kalmis offered us. We'll get by with our new members, which also include some non-residents, but the learning curve may take somewhat longer and the commission's level of professional expertise may fall short of what it was. That's unfortunate. Marc |
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Jan 21, 2008 15:11:04 GMT -5
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Mar 28, 2008 13:20:57 GMT -5
hmmm... could've sworn that when I bumped this a few months ago that Marc had responded to it.... then he erased it???
interesting. He answered that the matter was on one of these workshops (feb or march?)... I guess not.
Please feel free to correct my memory...
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Mar 28, 2008 15:28:37 GMT -5
THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE (link no longer active)
Holmdel mayor's pick for board "null and void" Asbury Park Press (New Jersey) September 25, 2007 Tuesday
Copyright 2007 Asbury Park Press
All Rights Reserved
Asbury Park Press (New Jersey)
September 25, 2007 Tuesday
SECTION: MONMOUTH
LENGTH: 413 words
HEADLINE: Holmdel mayor's pick for board "null and void"
BYLINE: SAMETTA M. THOMPSON
BODY:
KEYPORT BUREAU
Days after Mayor Serena DiMaso named her 2007 running mate for Township Committee Gerald Allocco as an alternate member of the Planning Board, the appointment was rescinded because it did not comply with the township Civic Responsibility Act.
Committeeman Larry Fink told DiMaso during a meeting Thursday that because the position was not advertised by the municipal clerk on the bulletin board in town hall and the township Web site and not announced in a news release to local newspapers, Allocco's appointment should be declared "null and void." Fink called for the position to be properly posted to give all residents an equal chance to show interest.
DiMaso said Township Clerk Maureen Doloughty said she made an error and apologized for not following the ordinance.
"Ms. Doloughty works hard for us," DiMaso said. "It's just something that fell through the crack. Right now we are doing what the ordinance says."
The issue arose at the Sept. 6 committee meeting when DiMaso announced she was appointing Allocco, a mechanic for Monmouth County. During that meeting, Fink questioned the move, saying that the first time he'd heard about the vacancy existing was when he received the agenda for the meeting.
According to the civic responsibility ordinance, a vacancy must be posted in three different places, and it cannot be filled for 30 days from the initial posting. It was posted on the Web site Sept. 11.
The measure was adopted in 2005 when Fink served as mayor.
"The whole idea is to foster open government and to encourage citizens to participate," said Fink.
At the meeting Thursday, Fink requested that the ordinance be amended to require the clerk to inform all committee members when there is an opening for appointed positions.
"I think it's only right for all of us to know when vacancies occur since we are all peers," said Fink, the only Democrat on the committee.
DiMaso said she originally was informed of the vacancy by telephone but failed to tell her colleagues. She rejected Fink's idea of changing the ordinance because, she said, it is a waste of time and taxpayer money. Instead, DiMaso said, a policy will be put into place that says the clerk will send out an e-mail to all committee members when there is a vacancy in an appointive position.
The vacancy is the unexpired term of Victor Giamanco, who resigned as an alternate member of the planning board in July; the term expires at the end of the year.
Allocco declined to comment on the matter.
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Mar 28, 2008 15:29:07 GMT -5
THE HOLMDEL ORDINANCE
2-66 CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY ACT.
2-66.1 Intent and Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to foster the openness of government and provide citizens with information concerning the various appointed municipal positions which exist within the Township of Holmdel. The section further provides for a procedure whereby a citizen can indicate his/her desire to serve in a particular appointed position. Finally, the section provides for a notification process so that those citizens who have indicated a desire to hold a position will be notified when that position is under consideration for appointment and will ultimately be notified as to the action that was taken. (Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
2-66.2 Definitions.
The following terms as used in this section shall have the meaning set forth below unless the context within which the term is used clearly provides for a different meaning:
Appointing authority shall mean the official or body which by virtue of statutory law or by ordinance or resolution is given the authority to appoint a person to hold a particular appointed municipal position.
Appointed municipal position shall mean any appointed position within the Township government which is created either by statutory law or by ordinance or resolution. Examples of such positions are Municipal Historian, member of any board, commission, agency, council or committee of the municipality.
(Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
2-66.3 Registry of Appointed Municipal Positions.
The Municipal Clerk or designee shall cause a register of appointed municipal positions to be prepared and maintained. Such register shall be made available on the Township's website and at Town Hall and shall set forth at least the following:
a. Title of each appointed municipal position.
b. Brief description of the position's powers and duties.
c. Any special credentials or qualifications required to hold the position.
d. The length of the term for the position.
e. The name of the person currently holding the position, the expiration date of his or her term, and the number of vacant seats on the board or commission.
f. The dates/times and frequency of any meetings which the holder of the position must attend.
(Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
2-66.4 Vacancies.
The Municipal Clerk or designee shall maintain a current updated listing of all existing vacancies for each appointed municipal position within the municipality. Such list shall be made available at the Municipal Clerk or designee's office and shall, in addition, be posted on a bulletin board maintained for public announcements in Town Hall. Further a press release shall be prepared by the Municipal Clerk and forwarded to the local papers and the vacancy shall be posted on the Township web site. (Ord. No. 2005-15 § I; Ord. No. 2006-09 § I)
2-66.5 Filling Vacancies.
Unless essential for the proper functioning and/or carrying on of business of the local agency upon which the vacancy has occurred, a vacancy shall not be filled for a period of thirty (30) days from its posting in order to allow interested persons time to submit applications as provided in subsection 2-66.6 below. (Ord. No. 2005-15 § I; Ord. No. 2006-09 § I)
2-66.6 Applications.
The Municipal Clerk or designee shall maintain an application form to be completed by any person interested in serving in an appointed municipal position. Such application shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:
a. Name
b. Address
c. Telephone number
d. E-mail address
e. Appointed municipal position sought
f. Qualifications/experience for position
g. Signature
(Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
2-66.7 Filing Applications.
Any person interested in serving in an appointed municipal position may file an application for such position with the Municipal Clerk or designee. Such application(s) may be filed at any time, whether or not the appointed municipal position sought is vacant. A person may withdraw his or her application at any time. (Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
2-66.8 Maintaining Applications.
The Municipal Clerk or designee shall maintain all filed applications in a file or binder, segregated for each board or commission. Applications shall be considered void after two (2) years unless renewed by the applicant. (Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
2-66.9 Filling Voluntary Municipal Positions.
Prior to filling any appointed municipal position, the appropriate appointing authority shall review each application filed for that position. Each person having submitted an application for an appointed municipal position under consideration to be filled shall be notified of said vacancy. The appointing authority shall conduct such review, investigation and/or interviews, as the appointing authority deems necessary or advisable, in its discretion. After a decision is reached to fill a vacant appointed municipal position, all those who had submitted an application for that position shall be notified of the appointing decision. (Ord. No. 2005-15 § I)
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Mar 28, 2008 15:29:58 GMT -5
Now, read the above (especially the immediate past three posts) and tell me... Is there anything wrong with an open government?
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Post by novillero on Mar 28, 2008 15:36:19 GMT -5
Are you aware of similar provisions in other towns? anyone?
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Mar 28, 2008 15:44:22 GMT -5
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Post by novillero on Mar 28, 2008 15:54:49 GMT -5
there is nothing new under the sun, only that which has been forgotten. Oh boy, perhaps I should have asked the Delphic Oracle instead of a Libyan Sibyl in order to get a more straight forward answer... Back to business... I like the ordinance in that it keeps the applications for 2 years as valid applications. That's a good touch. In case someone doesn't see the next opening, their application is already on file. |
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Post by admin on Mar 28, 2008 22:24:33 GMT -5
Now, read the above (especially the immediate past three posts) and tell me... Is there anything wrong with an open government? Open government is very important and I believe we should be pushing for more of it in this town. I have not posted on it, but the treads about the budget are another good topic. Unfortunately for me, that one raises a lot of questions and no real answers. I like that because it means I have some learning to do. On a related note, but not specific to the topic, the CIC is currently working on a number of initiatives to increase communications and information dissemination to our town residents. These initiatives could wind up aiding the very things you have brought up, LS. Just remember, government is slooowwww. I will reach out to Marc and find out where these issues are. |
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Mar 31, 2008 8:30:56 GMT -5
LS -
Some workshops ago the council agreed to accept, into its operational practices, the essence of Holmdel's ordinance regarding the announcement of appointment vacancies. However, it was decided that an actual ordinance was not needed to accomplish this. Much of what Holmdel was doing was underway here, already. Unfortunately, the local media didn't pick up on this item.
In fact, a tweaking of our current system is already taking place. In addition to having the vacancy information available in Borough Hall, committee vacancies will be announced on the modified Borough web site the CIC committee is soon to roll out. This IS the 21st century and the Net is available to all.
Lately, we've also been informing the News Transcript what we need help trying to fill volunteer slots and they have published the info (Historic Preservation, etc).
This week or next week, they (The Transcript) will also be including (within a related article) a call for additional volunteers for the new Neighborhood Pride Committee. My personal email address is to be included in that article for that purpose.
Thanks for the original recommendation, LS.
Marc
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Post by novillero on Mar 31, 2008 9:41:28 GMT -5
LS - Some workshops ago the council agreed to accept, into its operational practices, the essence of Holmdel's ordinance regarding the announcement of appointment vacancies. However, it was decided that an actual ordinance was not needed to accomplish this. Much of what Holmdel was doing was underway here, already. Unfortunately, the local media didn't pick up on this item. ... Marc What is the difference between "operational practices" and an ordinance? What practical effect? Sorry, if things need to be dumbed down for me. |
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Mar 31, 2008 10:30:29 GMT -5
Novillero -
In other words, standard operating procedure (in practice). People wanting to volunteer will know what is available through Borough Hall, over the web and via other sources.
Marc
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Mar 31, 2008 10:34:45 GMT -5
LS - Some workshops ago the council agreed to accept, into its operational practices, the essence of Holmdel's ordinance regarding the announcement of appointment vacancies. However, it was decided that an actual ordinance was not needed to accomplish this. Much of what Holmdel was doing was underway here, already. Unfortunately, the local media didn't pick up on this item. In fact, a tweaking of our current system is already taking place. In addition to having the vacancy information available in Borough Hall, committee vacancies will be announced on the modified Borough web site the CIC committee is soon to roll out. This IS the 21st century and the Net is available to all. Lately, we've also been informing the News Transcript what we need help trying to fill volunteer slots and they have published the info (Historic Preservation, etc). This week or next week, they (The Transcript) will also be including (within a related article) a call for additional volunteers for the new Neighborhood Pride Committee. My personal email address is to be included in that article for that purpose. Thanks for the original recommendation, LS. Marc I would venture to guess that an operating procedure is non-binding and an ordinance is. Thererefore, the council can pick and choose what they want to advertise... The other point, that I didn't seem to bring up when I re-newed this thread, was the residency requirement. I still feel that this is a good requirement for almost every committee - save those where you might incorporate business owners or non-resident property owners. If the CIC and council are posting positions online as well as in the newspapers, and keeping applications on file, I think this is a great step forward ---- in addition to making it a binding ordinance. In addition, I also an advocate of open government and posting meetings notices, agends and minutes online on the site that CIC is working on. This would be a most welcome addition. |
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Post by lisas84 on Mar 31, 2008 11:58:21 GMT -5
Libyan Sybil: Excellent suggestions. Thank you very much. As the secretary of the CIC, who works closely with Brian, I can vow that we will both move your suggestions forward.
Please feel free to venture any further ideas about the website re-engineering. Our goal is to make it very responsive and fully encompassing.
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Post by admin on Mar 31, 2008 12:33:00 GMT -5
Libyan Sybil: Excellent suggestions. Thank you very much. As the secretary of the CIC, who works closely with Brian, I can vow that we will both move your suggestions forward. Please feel free to venture any further ideas about the website re-engineering. Our goal is to make it very responsive and fully encompassing. Lisa, we will have to continue this discussion on the CIC board found on this site. We do have some really nice projects in the works for our town. it would be good to update the readers. |
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apple
Novice
Just Eat the Apple
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Post by apple on Apr 1, 2008 10:37:12 GMT -5
Maybe it is better to have a standard operating procedure than an ordinance. If you had an ordinance, perhaps the ordinance would prohibit the person from quitting before their term was up. Great idea wlisa54, how would you propose this can be accomplished? |
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Post by admin on Apr 1, 2008 11:14:05 GMT -5
I think the Boro GOP could put that in their platform as they are the ones who sign up for a committee and then quit. OUCH!!! I didn't see that zinger coming!  |
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