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Springwater Town Supervisor Deborah Babbitt is making swift changes in how the town operates.
Joining Babbitt-Henry as new officials are council members Phil Viruso and Patricia Wilsea. Carolyn Tinney and Larry Gnau remained on the board.
The board’s first resolution retained the town’s bank, newspaper of record and several other aspects of the town, but notably changed the town council’s meeting schedule and the number of recognized committees.
The town council previously met on the first Monday, but will now meet twice monthly. The first meeting will be with town department heads on the second Monday each month.
“We will not be voting,” explained Babbitt-Henry. She further explained that the first meeting each month will not allow for citizen comments.
Most action will be taken at the board’s second monthly meeting.
“This will be more of the form you are used to,” with a couple of exceptions,” Babbitt-Henry said.
She said the floor will be opened for public comments up to five minutes at the end of each meeting. Community members who wish to speak longer are asked to schedule floor privilege on the agenda in advance of the meeting. Speakers and the town council will also have the benefit of microphones and speakers to be purchased at a cost less than $1,000.
The town council officially recognized the planning board, board of assessment review and board of appeals. Notably absent from the list was the parks and trails committee, whose recognition by the town has raised questions of liability for the town, since many of the group’s operations occur on private property or in other towns altogether. Babbitt-Henry emphasized she supports the efforts of the parks and trails group.
In other business, Town Clerk Claudia Gauer was granted a leave of absense because of her husband’s medical needs. Gauer agreed to forego pay while on leave. First Deputy Town Clerk Rita Culp will fill in with the assistance of Second Deputy Town Clerk Jade Perkins.
Springwater Town Supervisor Deborah Babbitt is making swift changes in how the town operates.
Joining Babbitt-Henry as new officials are council members Phil Viruso and Patricia Wilsea. Carolyn Tinney and Larry Gnau remained on the board.
The board’s first resolution retained the town’s bank, newspaper of record and several other aspects of the town, but notably changed the town council’s meeting schedule and the number of recognized committees.
The town council previously met on the first Monday, but will now meet twice monthly. The first meeting will be with town department heads on the second Monday each month.
“We will not be voting,” explained Babbitt-Henry. She further explained that the first meeting each month will not allow for citizen comments.
Most action will be taken at the board’s second monthly meeting.
“This will be more of the form you are used to,” with a couple of exceptions,” Babbitt-Henry said.
She said the floor will be opened for public comments up to five minutes at the end of each meeting. Community members who wish to speak longer are asked to schedule floor privilege on the agenda in advance of the meeting. Speakers and the town council will also have the benefit of microphones and speakers to be purchased at a cost less than $1,000.
The town council officially recognized the planning board, board of assessment review and board of appeals. Notably absent from the list was the parks and trails committee, whose recognition by the town has raised questions of liability for the town, since many of the group’s operations occur on private property or in other towns altogether. Babbitt-Henry emphasized she supports the efforts of the parks and trails group.
In other business, Town Clerk Claudia Gauer was granted a leave of absense because of her husband’s medical needs. Gauer agreed to forego pay while on leave. First Deputy Town Clerk Rita Culp will fill in with the assistance of Second Deputy Town Clerk Jade Perkins.
