Commentary by Frank Schroth

This week there are two important meetings that are going to occur on the same night. On Thursday the Board of Selectmen will be in session for the first time since voting in executive session not to renew Town Administrator Kevin Mearn’s contract; that same night the Planning Board will be meeting to resume hearings on the Hendries development. The schedule precludes any member of the public who wants to attend, watch, or speak at both from doing so. And that shouldn’t be.

Granted in this case the start times are off set. The PB starts at 6:30pm and the BoS starts at 8:00pm.But anyone who attends a planning board meeting knows that an 8:00pm end time is not typically in the cards.

The Selectmen present may speak on the reasons for not renewing Mr. Mearn’s contract. There may also be people in attendence who wish to speak on the issue during the Citizens Speak portion of the meeting.

Meanwhile downstairs it is likely that the Hendries developemtn which has been under review for as long as anyone can remember might reach a vote – perhaps on the special permit, perhaps only on the granting of a bonus. One could dash up and down the stairs; but it is a little hot for that.

Granted it is rare that two meetings that have significant issues take place at the same time. However, it has happened before. Given that there are ~20 work days in a month and these boards meet 2x a month there is ample opportunity to avoid scheduling conflicts.

The boards can and should work harder to ensure that any member of the public that wants to attend a meeting and speak has the opportunity to do so.