Minutes 11-10-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Thom Freeman said he has not heard any complaints, but he has noted suggestions in meeting minutes, from other board members on advisory boards, that appointees should be more experienced. Chair McKee asked if there are any concerns about the applications with extended questions. Thom Freeman said people fill them out, and he has seen that sometimes answers can be incomplete. Commissioner Rich asked if the boards with additional questions could be identified. Thom Freeman, said Economic Development, Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), ABC Board, Board of Adjustment, Equalization and Review (E&R), and the Planning Board. Commissioner Price said sometimes a vacancy needs filling and there is no recommendation from a board, but other times there is a recommendation and the BOCC ignores it. She said she wonders what kind of message this sends, and if recommendations can be ignored, why ask for them in the first place. Commissioner Rich asked if recommendations are sought. Commissioner Jacobs said there is a difference between not following a recommendation and ignoring one. He said with some boards more information is needed on the applications, as some applicants apply to multiple boards at one time that seemingly have little connection. He said perhaps, with some boards, applicants should only be able to apply to that one board. Commissioner Jacobs said restricting applicants to one board had been considered for those boards that handle monetary issues. He said this issue was never resolved. Commissioner Pelissier said she and Commissioner Rich talked about having a committee conduct interviews of applicants for certain boards, but this came up and the Board did not want to do it. She said perhaps there could be committees of two to three to review applications, and interview applicants of certain boards. Commissioner Pelissier said if staff sees that a person did not complete an application, which has more extensive questions, to send it back to the applicant. Commissioner Pelissier said the Board should consider adding extra questions for the Board of Adjustment application. Commissioner Price said there is no consistency within the boards; some boards recruit for particular positions, but most boards choose whatever process they want, such as the Chair/Vice Chair reviewing applications. Commissioner Jacobs asked if Commissioner Price could define consistency. Commissioner Price said consistency in who does the vetting for the applicant recommendations. Commissioner Jacobs said he does not have a problem with that. He said when he was on the OWASA board years ago he was interviewed by two commissioners. Commissioner Jacobs said it should be noted that Commissioner Dorosin advocated for not vetting anyone. Commissioner Jacobs said he does not agree with Commissioner Dorosin for the statutory boards, quasi-judicial boards or those with fiduciary responsibilities. Commissioner Jacobs said when he looks at who is applying, he looks at the various demographics of the board: gender, race, geographic variety, etc. He said he does not make his decisions solely on this, but he does looks at the balance. He said the Board should not put someone on a board based on demographic profile. Commissioner Rich said she agreed that some boards need to be vetted, but she does not want it to be more difficult for residents to apply.