Thursday, October 14, 2010

Talbot appointed to BOE

My 2009 Council opponent, Peter Talbot, was appointed to fill the Board of Education vacancy created by Peter Massey's resignation. I congratulate Peter Talbot on his appointment and thank Peter Massey for his service.

I prefer seeing Mr. Talbot on the BOE, at least moreso than on the Council. If he were on the Council he'd need to recuse himself from voting on the budget of the Town Manager's office. And that's a budget that needs as many votes as possible to reduce the unnecessary spending there.

Btw, when I first heard of Peter Massey's resignation I incorrectly believed that the BOE would appoint a member. But based on a discussion with David Schrumm and Jimmy Sima, I now understand that the 1996 Charter revision included a change in the body that appoints BOE members. Previously, the BOE appointed its own. Now the Council fills all elected vacancies, including the BOE.

Tim White

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"If he were on the Council he'd need to recuse himself from voting on the budget of the Town Manager's office."

Why is it that Mr. Talbot's sister makes huge overtime pay in the TM's office?

Anonymous said...

It's NOT his sister. She is the wife of his cousin. And full time employees who work over forty (40) hours get overtime - it's the law!

Tim White said...

full time employees who work over forty (40) hours get overtime - it's the law!

Agreed. But that raises a previous question regarding the employment status of certain positions in town hall.

Should certain "non-exempt" positions be changed to "exempt" positions?

- Non-exempt does receive overtime.

- Exempt does not receive overtime.

I hope this Council revisits that issue as it is a relevant question for several positions in Town Hall and does relate directly to spending.

And then there's another issue regarding the real value of some of the overtime incurred just this year. As I said in March, some of the OT is little more than unnecessary, wasteful spending.

Tim White said...

For budget hawks who want to reduce unnecessary spending on OT, Anne Giddings is your champion.

Anonymous said...

If the council appoints a replacement, do they vote on it? I don't recall a vote, just an announcement.

Anonymous said...

The council voted on the appointment of Peter Talbot to the BOE at the Oct. 12 regular meeting.

Like any appointment to a vacancy to a board, commission or elective position the names are presented to council by the respective D & R town committees and placed in nomination by the R and D member of the TC's Ordinance Review subcommittee. The entire TC then votes, usually without discussion or debate.

In the case of Peter Talbot and with the pending replacement for Tim White they will have to run for "election" in the next local, which is Novemebr 2011 if they desire ti continue to serve in the position.

Tim Slocum

Anonymous said...

The council voted on the appointment of Peter Talbot. The council votes on all appointments to boards and commissions including vacancies in elective positions.

The names come forth from the Republican and Democrat Town committees and are placed in nomination by the D & R members of the Councils Ordinance Review subcommittee for vote of the full Council. The nominees are voted in without much disccussion or debate.

In the case of Peter Talbot and the pending replacement for Tim White these appointees must run for "election" in the next local election, which is Nov. 2011.

Tim Slocum