COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ! (CAC)

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY OCTOBER 6 2008 

The meeting was called to order by chairman Toni Moran at 7:05 p.m.  Members present were Toni Moran, Aline Booth, Joyce Crepeau, Leila Fecho, Patrick McGlamery, Richard Pellegrine and Bill Powers.  Staff present was Jaime Russell. 

Town Council Committee on Committees

     Leigh Duffy and Gene Nesbitt from the Town Council were present to discuss difficulties in identifying interested citizens to serve on committees.  At present, there are about 250 slots on committees with about 100 vacancies. Some suggestions were

            1 - sign boards or postings listing vacancies at the Town Hall, the Library,  the Community Center, the schools. ( A table had been set up this year at the Know Your Town Fair with little response.)

            2 - informing political Town Committees,  officers    of committees with vacancies, and Town Staff.

            3 - using many of the above sources to notify interested citizens of vacancies.

Minutes

The minutes of the September 15 meeting were approved with minor typographical corrections and format.

There was no public present.

Mission Statement

A preliminary draft of a mission statement for the CAC was discussed with suggestions for the subcommittee to consider.  It will be discussed further at the next meeting.

Comparable Towns

Dick Pellegrine and Bill Powers noted that some Towns similar to ours do not have a formal policy on communications.  Dick spoke about Avon where some people are unhappy about not being able to find details about budget items and contracts.  Some other towns similar to ours (college towns) include New Britain, New Haven, Fairfield, Willimanric, New London, Middletown, etc.  Toni Moran will join the subcommittee.

New Business

Jaime Russell handed out copies of Town policies on procedures for committees such as ours.  State laws have been changed regarding posting of draft minutes on the Towns web site within 7 days.

He also reported that the Town has a volunteer who will be working with Charter Communications to tape meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Aline Booth, Secretary pro tem.