To the editor:
As a presenter at the last BOH meeting, I was more than a little disappointed that the important youth addiction theme of the meeting got sidetracked (as you reported) by an unrecognized, private sidebar discussion not on the agenda by all the board members.
Whatever happened to Robert’s Rules of Order (RRO); the chair’s use of the gavel to keep and maintain order; and the strict adherence to a published meeting agenda with time limits for each agenda item? There are several issues at play here. To paraphrase retired Navy SEAL Adm. McRaven: leaders, lead. I didn’t see that nor any of the above generally accepted meeting procedures followed or displayed at this meeting.
Some suggestions:
> Strict adherence to RRO protocols need to be maintained by the chair (leader).
> Rotate the chairs for each meeting.
> Name an agenda timekeeper for each meeting.
> Expand the BOH board to at least five members for wider town representation (The Town Meeting Warrant vote should make this happen).
> Prioritize important town health and wellness issues and allot appropriate time limits for discussion.
I would respectfully suggest that BOH members informally caucus to get their collective acts together before they present themselves as “April Fools” at next month’s BOH meeting.
R.A. Erbetta