News

Council to present charter changes
By Elizabeth Prata

Gray--The Council was caught by surprise last June, when they learned that the School District had suddenly changed their scheduled graduation date and that it coincided with Town meeting, held in June. The SAD was bumped from its reserved venue, and by the time the issue was resolved they took the only date that they could, which was at the same time as the Town's Annual meeting.

There were many people who wanted to attend both, people who devote time to participate in the last direct piece of democracy that is available- voting yes or no to the municipal budget at Town meeting. They also wanted to support their sons and daughters and nieces and nephews at graduation, a deeply emotional and important community event.

The June Town meeting is regulated by the Town Charter, Gray's governing document. Changing the town meeting date cannot be done unless the charter is change, and the charter cannot be changed unless the voters say so. The Council cannot change the Charter, only voters at referendum.

Shall the Town Meeting be changed?

To that end, the Council had issued a survey to the voters, asking if they want their Town meeting changed and if so, to when? The problem with having a Town meeting too early in the year is that the fiscal year is not nearly enough completed to develop strong revenue projections. Also, if the Town meeting is too early, weather conditions affect attendance.

The survey, which only had 15 respondents, indicated a preference for March, which the Council did not agree with, but the indications were also suggesting sticking with a Saturday, which the Council confirmed.
The voters will be deciding this June whether to have their Town meeting on the first Saturday in May.

Shall the FinCom have citizen members?

Also proposed for a charter change is that the Finance Committee be allowed to include citizen members. The Charter regulates that there be a Finance Committee, but the language regulating its membership allows only Councilors to be on it. The Council would like to see an opportunity for citizen participation on that committee, as there is on all other Town Committees. Vice-Chair Upham wanted criteria put into place to ensure quality candidates. He said that though the Finance Committee (FinCom) has been likened to the School District's Budget Advisory Committee, that the FinCom really acts as auditors and financial trackers of the Town's money handling.

Under public Comment, ex-chair Pam Wilkinson said that the Council should put into place a clear package for the citizens when they go to vote, and that this change to the charter, should it be enacted, should be followed by a change to the Council Rules, which also delineates the FinCom membership. She said that it should also have a written, clear charge as to its duties.

Chair Foster agreed, saying that though "The previous Council seemed to survive without the FinCom roles being outlined, the current Council will implement one." Council voted 5-0 to place the question on a November ballot.

Sandy McDonald is new SAD Board member

In other business, The Council chose Sandy McDonald as a replacement appointee to the SAD 15 board of Directors, replacing Heather Skilling after Ms. Skilling resigned. The position represents Gray constituents. Her term will be until the June elections. The Council thanked Will Burrow, who had also applied for the appointed position, and said that they were thrilled to have two great candidates from which to choose. Ms. McDonald has been active in school affairs and has served on the Budget Advisory Committee. She begins immediately.

Fire Department to party

The Council also formally resolved that the upcoming Celebration to honor the 125th anniversary of the Fire Department was exempt from the Mass Gathering Ordinance. Fire Chief Barton and Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz assured the Council that there would be no financial obligation ton the town to pay for any part of the Celebration, budgeted to cost $50,000, except for fuel to drive the apparatus in the parade and normal personnel on duty.