Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 09/07/2022

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LEGISLATION & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE es
MINUTES—SPECIAL MEETING | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 as
Members present: Richard Muckle, Tom Dembek, Tim Fioravanti, Susan Driscoll 2
Members absent: Dave Welch ee
1, 2.,3. With quorum established, meeting called to order by Chair Muckle at 5:30 p.m.
4. Public comment: Helen Kwasniewski of Quaker Hill reiterated committee assignment concerns cited in her
May 9 letter that was discussed by the RTM on June 6. She suggested that the Committee on Committee should
do better research before appointing individuals to determine whether they are qualified to make decisions in
a committee's focus area; consider RTM member Radin’s request for resumes with appointment
recommendations; and confirm that appointed members would be serving the people of Waterford rather than
a political party. She also expressed concern that there are too few volunteers to spread around and many
committees struggle to make a quorum.
5. Consideration of previous minutes: Motion by Fioravanti, second by Muckle, to accept the minutes of the L&A
Committee meeting of August 15, 2022, as presented. Voice vote: Unanimous.
6.
Consideration of how RTM considers recommendations for committee assignments (RTC 06/06/22): Before
committee deliberations began, Driscoll clarified that the RTM’s Committee on Committees handles only
selection of RTM members to the body's standing committees and that, while knowledge of a particular topic is
considered, the ordinances specify that every member serve on at least one committee and sets the minimum
number of seats. Discussion ensued concerning RTM appointments of citizens (i.e, not elected officials) to
serve on various town boards, commissions, special committees and task forces. Topics included the tradition
of recommendations submitted by the two major parties’ town committees; previous terms when “nominees”
would attend the RTM meeting when appointments were on the agenda and make themselves available for
questions; the misconception that seats are “reserved” as D or R based on the previous members’ affiliation;
the difficulty of finding individuals willing and able to commit the time to serve—and from that pool, the
challenge to find someone with a specific skill set/expertise for certain openings; and the value of bringing new
people into the mix who are interested in learning‘about town issues and responsibilities and who may not be
experts in an area but would be active, inquisitive participants. Members agreed that having a resume or
background information about an individual seeking—or recommended for—appointment would enable
members to make more informed decisions.
Consensus to have Driscoll draft, for members’ review at the next meeting, committee report language framing
requirement that résumé/background information be provided with all recommendations submitted for RTM
appointments of private citizens to boards, commissions, and special committees/task forces.
7. Adjournment: Brief discussion on tentatively scheduling next meeting during the last week in Sept./first week
in October, pending confirmation of all members’ availability.
Motion by Fioravanti, second by Muckle, to adjourn at 6:05 p.m. Voice vote: Unanimous.
Submitted by
Susan Driscoll (L&A)