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selectboard minutes
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marilyn cook
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Mar 01, 2004 13:40 PST
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I have been the clerk for the Selectboard since June
2003, recording the minutes of the weekly meetings of
the Selectboard. In response to Mr. Ingalls’ posting,
I would like people to understand that Mr. Ingalls has
been attending meetings since January 26, 2004 and has
attended only four regular meetings and about fifteen
minutes of a fifth meeting.
Since Mr. Ingalls has only recently started to attend
meetings, I have been surprised to hear his public
accusations that the past year’s minutes do not
reflect the content of the meetings. In Topica, he
states, “…recent minutes more closely reflect business
conducted.” With his limited attendance, I would say
that he is qualified only to make a judgment about
recent minutes. His opinions before January 26 have
no basis.
When I take minutes, I try to document a brief
statement or summary of the topic discussed and any
decisions made. Although I try to keep up with the
conversations, I am thankful that there is a process
by which the draft minutes are reviewed and corrected
at subsequent meetings. This is an opportunity for
Selectboard members, employees and citizens to make
changes to the drafts. In all of the meetings (4-5)
that Mr. Ingalls has attended, he has yet to request
that a correction be made. The process that is in
place helps to assure me that the adopted minutes
reflect the content of the meetings.
I do not believe that minutes are used in the
malicious manner that is being accused. I have
attended most of the meetings since June, as the clerk
and as an interested citizen. I do not agree with Mr.
Ingalls’ point of view and believe that he is
‘twisting things around’ to make the Selectboard sound
deceitful. But I do agree that people should attend
the meetings. It is a way to be informed about how
your town is run and an opportunity to see how much
time and energy a group of volunteers give to their
community.
Marilyn Cook
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