SPECIAL CALL MEETING
Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the special call meeting to
order at 1 p.m. on
Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Harry S. Holman, J. Grady Martin, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Assistant Chief, B. N. Newcomb and Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert.
Roll was called.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
Mayor Clarke stated that the purpose of the call meeting was as stated in the notice, to fill the vacancy due to the death of Mr. Hardy and to discuss possible Charter changes.
DEATH OF COUNCILMEMBER HARDY
Mayor Clarke said he would like to first acknowledge the
very sudden and unexpected death of Wilbur Hardy since our November
meeting. It will be necessary to fill his unexpired term which will run
until
POSSIBLE CHANGES IN CHARTER
Mayor Clarke stated that the other matter on the agenda was
possible changes in our Charter and turned the discussion over to Mr. Outten and Mr. Dean. Mr. Outten
stated that the position of Treasurer is currently an elected position and must
be elected by the electors of the town and serves a term of four years.
Mr. Outten stated that there has been some question
on whether this is best for the town. Most small towns have a
treasurer that is elected by Council. The reason for the call meeting is
that if Council elects to change the Charter a request has to be sent to our legislator
asking for legislature to amend our Charter. The deadline is
Mr. Dean stated that this matter was discussed during the personnel and finance committee meetings last year while working on the budget. Mr. Martin stated that he was in the meeting and felt the job of treasurer was very important and felt the position should not be an elected one. He said with all the audit changes going on, continuity was very important. He felt we need someone to hold the job year after year instead of the possibility of change every four years.
Mr. Outten reported that Lawrenceville was in the vast minority of having an elected treasurer and lack of continuity was something to avoid if possible.
Mayor Clarke also pointed out that the position of treasurer and that of clerk is filled by the same person, one being appointed and one being elected could also cause a problem and felt the change was needed.
Mr. Pecht stated that with all the internal changes with the audit and the increased job responsibility, continuity was important and he felt the change was needed.
MOTION TO REQUEST CHANGE
A motion was made by Mrs. Sanderson request our legislator to introduce legislature to amend our Charter to state the Treasurer be elected by Council. This was seconded by Mr. Martin.
After a discussion, it was stated that the term would be for 2 years the same as clerk, sergeant and deputy sergeant and may or may not live in the town limits.
The motion was approved by the following roll call vote: voting aye, Bland, Brockwell, Holman, Martin, Pecht and Sanderson.
ADJOURNMENT
As this concluded the matters stated in the notice, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.
Keith W. Clarke, MAYOR
Alice B. Talbert, Clerk ATTEST