Minutes 05-14-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Donna Baker said the Attorney did not get feedback on what the Board would want to see in a revised application. Chair Jacobs said that if anyone would like to volunteer to help with the process and the form, to please step forward. Commissioner McKee and Donna Baker noted that the Board of Adjustments has been deferred, and the Planning Board also has openings. He suggested that these appointments be made with the idea that changes are to be made to the application process. Commissioner Rich asked if the idea was to change the form or to include an interview of the candidates. Donna Baker said the form was revised in the past couple of years. She said, for these five boards, the suggestion was to have a separate application or add a section to the existing application. Commissioner Rich said that an interview process would allow for specific questions that could change as years go on, to address current issues. She said she is not as interested in changing the application as she is in getting Board members involved in an interview process. Commissioner Pelissier said she had made the petition. She does not have an idea of specific questions, but she is happy to work with the clerk on this. She feels that the current applications don't give enough information to make a decision for these particular boards. Commissioner Gordon said that the basic application could be kept and a supplemental section could be added that is tailored to each specific board. She is also willing to work to get this going. She feels this could be a quick process and could potentially be worked into the appointment process for the Planning Board. She feels the Board should not adjourn and leave those boards hanging over the break. Commissioner Price asked if these positions are currently interviewed for, and Chair Jacobs said no. Commissioner Dorosin said he feels that the Board should re-visit the purpose of this item. He is hesitant to do anything to make it harder to get on these boards. He does not feel that residents should have to have experience. He feels that if the process is made more complicated, people will be turned off, and there will be a more homogeneous group of volunteers. He said there are already applications that have been waiting for a year; and if there are vacancies, and there are applicants, then the spots should be filled. He clarified with Donna Baker that the only current requirements are that applicants live in the County and pay taxes. Commissioner Dorosin reviewed the current appointment process and said he feels there is some tension with the boards as to how this works. He said there should be a spreadsheet of information on all the applicants along with the number of vacancies that need to be filled. Commissioner Pelissier said it sounds like Commissioner Dorosin is talking about advisory boards in-general, and she is talking about a few very specific boards. Each of these boards has a level of responsibility that advisory boards do not have. She said the vetting process is to ensure that the people can carry forth the responsibility. Commissioner Dorosin said he is talking about all of the boards. He asked what kind of additional information is needed, and what makes a candidate qualified to be on the OWASA Board. Commissioner Pelissier said there have been people who, according to other OWASA Board members, have not been able to carry out their duties, and this has been a problem. Commissioner Price asked for clarification on the responsibilities of the OWASA Board. Commissioner Pelissier said that OWASA sets policies and budgets and has a lot of the same responsibilities as the BOCC but only as it regards water and sewer.