10/23/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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*APPROVED* (10-30-2023) 2 *Monday, October 23, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* Questions: Don Myers: If you were a Town resident, would you have run and felt differently about the appointment. Collette Williams: Liked the appointment process even if she could have run in Dennis where she resided at the time. She now resides in Brewster where she is appointed as the Town Clerk. Collette Williams: An elected Town Clerk can take Mon- Thursday off, there's nothing the Town Manager can do. Don Myers — Does that happen often? Collette Williams: No Carol Sherman — How long worked? Collette Williams: 20 years as a Clerk, 10 years in the office. Greg McKelvey: Is the job the same whether it is appointed or elected? Collette Williams: — yes Greg McKelvey: Resources? Training? Collette Williams: Secretary of the Commonwealth Galvin's Office, Town Clerk's Association Greg McKelvey: Cost? Collette Williams: Town pays generally, but scholarships are available Greg McKelvey: State handbook for Clerk's? Collette Williams: No Greg McKelvey: Training effective? Collette Williams: Yes Greg McKelvey: Can you call the state if questions? Collette Williams: Yes, but Secretary of State Galvin is nervous because there are so many new Town Clerks. Clerks help each other. Greg McKelvey: What's the real difference? Collette Williams: In my opinion, I went before a Select Board interviews etc, Election no opportunity to be interviewed. Pros and Cons both ways, I like being appointed due to accountability. Cathy Lewis: As an appointed Town Clerk are you part of a union? Collette Williams: no. Cathy Lewis: Interviewed by Town Manager? Collette Williams: Yes Cathy Lewis: Succession plan? Collette Williams; Only the two of us, the process would be done again. The Town Manager now handles it. Mary Waygan: Thanks for mentioning the resources available, people working in the field would call the Town Clerk's Association, can you get access if not currently working in a Town Clerk's office? Collette Williams: No John Miller: Not aware if any of the Committee members feel one way or the other, this meeting is just a fact gathering mode. Deb Kaye brought us a list of all of the things that a Town Clerk does and I was overwhelmed. How would the voter know if the person seeking the office is qualified, appointment argument, the vetting process would be in place. Rodney Collins: Thanks for being here. Greg McKelvey emphasized training and resources, my question, does anything substitute experience vs. training and resources. Collette Williams: Currently, 128 Town Clerks are new and they need to know retention schedules, Open Meeting Laws, etc. Training ahead of time is important. Rodney Collins: Let me rephrase, someone who isn't in the office, and is popular and another person who is working in the office and wants the job, then interviews focus on knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job?