HOWELL – Township officials discussed the idea of modifying how they do business during a recent Council meeting. The change was designed to bring about more transparency for residents.
Deputy Mayor Evelyn O’Donnell proposed a change to how the meetings would be formatted and told The Howell Times, “in the recent past a member of the public reached out to me and was wondering if the Council would consider holding our meetings under a past format. It was with the intention that perhaps more information would be shared publicly, as the Council discussed topics. It was his opinion that the previous format was more helpful to the public.”
O’Donnell added, “I assured the gentleman I would discuss it openly with the entire Council. Presently, the Council has two monthly meetings. Each meeting Council discusses items and then votes. The format used in the past was two monthly meetings as well.”
“The first meeting was used to go over each item listed and ask questions of professionals. Any sharing between Council also took place. No formal voting was held. The second monthly meeting was used to formally vote on the agenda that had been previously examined by Council,” the deputy mayor added.
Only two meetings would take place monthly regardless of which format would be used. The Council was asked to think about this option and return to discussion at a later date.
“I find that sometimes the public might ask me to share an idea with Council and they prefer not to speak publicly. Certainly, I understand that some folks shy away from a microphone. I hope that Council will discuss the option again in the near future,” O’Donnell said.
During the meeting O’Donnell recommended the township council give some thought to the idea of modifying the meeting format. “It occurred to me that there might be an opportunity to vet things that might be pertinent not only to the council but the public as well at the workshop meeting.”
The deputy mayor said that the proposed format might allow for more flexibility regarding issues that were time sensitive or if a state issue came up at the workshop meeting. She said it would help “for more transparency and more information to flow” adding that agendas would also become longer.
While O’Donnell advocated for the governing body to try the change in format, that if it was found not to be beneficial, then it could simply return to its current format.
Typically, at a workshop meeting no action is taken and measures are earmarked for action at the regular action meeting.
Councilwoman Pamela Richmond was in favor of O’Donnell’s proposal. Richmond said that such a format might help familiarize the council with issues that need to be voted on during the regular meeting.
“It would be nice for us all to be together. This would be a good way for us to dig in and get the information done so when we do come to our action meeting, we are familiar with the information,” Richmond added.
[adrotate banner="278"]Richmond said, “it helps me prepare for any questions I might have. It helps us all be on the same page as to the information we’re putting out on the agenda.”
“I’d like to think about it,” Mayor Theresa Berger said. After the discussion, she said that she didn’t normally attend the workshop meetings and added that “if this change would cause less public input I would not be in favor of it.”
Councilman Thomas Russo said this week he needed further clarification about what the deputy mayor was proposing.
During the public comment period of the meeting, Freehold resident Barbara Dixel, a frequent visitor to the meetings of the Mayor and Council, offered her opinion on the idea of modifying the meeting schedule. She said “workshop meetings are a waste of time.”
“I think you are better off with your regular meetings the way they are. You get the work done you vote on it and it’s over with. I really think the other way is a waste of time,” Dixel added.
No other members of the public commented on the proposed format change and the topic is expected to be revisited at a future meeting of the mayor and council.
