New Council Rule Could Make Public Service More Difficult

It's customary for a motion to appoint an individual to a town board or commission to be approved. Along with accepting resignations, the practice is routine during each month's town council meeting.

However, the assumption that those willing to volunteer their time to serve the community will automatically be allowed to do socould be in jeopardy.

The town council's agenda for a regular meeting on Tues., Sept. 6 includes an item, "requested" by Deputy Mayor Al Simon, "to discuss and consider a possible clarifying amendment to section 20 of the Town Council Rules of Order," which deals directly with appointments to boards and commissions.

Section 20 of the Town Council Rules of Order currently reads:

All appointments made by the Council shall be by vote of not less than five members of the Council, except as specified otherwise in the Town Charter. With the exception of the appointment of Council Committees as set forth in Sections 23 through 26 of these rules, whenever the Mayor shall, at any meeting, submit an appointment to be made with the advice and consent of the Council, consideration of such appointment shall be deferred until the next meeting.

Simon's motion to make clarifications to the council rules comes one month after council .

At the August meeting, Simon, a democrat, requested that Lennon's appointment be pushed back to a later date to allow for discussion and review.

Simon's hesitation to approve Lennon's appointment, based on what he viewed as her "history of on-line comments which seemed, in my opinion, to question the validity of majority rule," was echoed by Councilor Bill Herzfeld and supported by votes of all democrats on the council, which defeated republican's four votes.

Simon's intention was to allow time for discussion of Lennon's appointment, he said at the meeting.

Republicans declined to allow for additional time and proceeded with the appointment, which was shot down by democrats — an event unprecedented during a council meeting.

"We've been having nominations like this as long as I've been on this council This is the first time one has been questioned," said Councilor Donald Jepsen at the time.

"We (Republican Council members) don't have the votes to pass this motion, but it would be unfortunate if this door is opened. Trust me, there are nominations that will come forth from [the Democratic] side that I will question in the future."

The town council will meet Tues., Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers.