GilfordGrok

...the taking of the BudComm notes was the last thing that I would have thought would have topped the "to-do" list of a Selectman....especially making it more difficult (Citizen).  Junk cars (Sun) - maybe.  So what will be the next thing?

I've seen Doug at a loss for words only once - this makes twice ("I see no good reason behind this, other than, I don't even know").  Frankly, I studied the report twice - I just don't get it.  She certainly threw Connie and Gus a curve out of no where too.  I bet the stunned look on their faces would have been quite the sight.

Now, the swipe at the blog ("I'm sure some of them take it for their blog anyway.") - sure, I take notes, and will take better notes this year (I hope) but mine are for my purposes only and not to be the official notes.  I'll admit it - I have biases and my notes may well show that.  Whether or not Alice likes this blog (doubtful) or another website (maybe) is immaterial.  What exists, does, and no amount of wishing will make it go away any time soon.  OTHER things might force that issue, but not that.  And setting up live streaming or MP3 recording - hey, that's a part of the normal political life nowadays.

The thing that I thought was strange was her insistence on the fact that the RSAs do not require that the Town provide a transcriptionist or secretary.  True enough.  Yet, if one has to be brought in, there will be an expense in some fashion to the town.  While Sandy may be a payroll expense, I thought that it can be standard practice for "comp time"?  And even if not, either the expense is a payroll or a 1099 one - take your pick.  So while the meeting may get video or audio recorded, an official note taker should still be present. There WILL be a cost to the town (as Dick Hickok has made plain).

I will echo Doug here - c'mon Alice, who are those that are complaining about Sandy's note taking?  I may take my own, but that in no way means that I am dissatisfied with the product that Sandy churns out.  Nor have I EVER heard anywone on the Budget Committee say even the slightest negative thing about the notes.

Or is that statement mere political posturing (yes, I do say, at times, what others will only think)? For by making that statement, Alice has painted ALL of the BudComm with a negative brush in this regard, for who can tell who has said what?

Frankly, I think the whole idea is nuts. 

Oops - just one - before he was elected to the Board.  From his Best Practices document (on which I commented):

More official information about the budget committee proceedings should be available online - including voting records for each member, summaries of department budgets and committee recommendations, and a balanced presentation of any issues that are disputed. Meeting minutes are not enough - as they are lengthy and unfocused.

Now, to be trite, his campaign was all about "tone" and civility.  Guess it could be said he threw a bomb to start this kerfuffle...