Oxford commissioners repeal and replace meeting procedures resolution

OXFORD — After a workshop last week and additional discussion at a town meeting Tuesday, the Commissioners of Oxford have come to an agreement on how to amend the wording of a recently passed resolution establishing town meeting procedures.

The original resolution, passed Sept. 24, establishes general rules and procedures regarding public participation at town meetings, including when and for how long public commenters can speak. When Commission President Norm Bell introduced the resolution in early September, he said it was developed as a result of “disruptive behavior” at a previous town meeting in August.

At the town meeting on Sept. 24, some residents expressed concerns with the resolution’s limitations on public comment, as well as the way in which the resolution was passed.

On Tuesday, the commissioners unanimously voted to repeal and replace the current resolution with one that adjusts the wording regarding public comment. Specifically, it states that commissioners shall invite public questions and comments before a vote is taken on a resolution or an ordinance.

Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan said the commissioners also would have the discretion to open up other agenda items for public comment. She said that because ordinances already require public hearings, this resolution would essentially add the requirement of holding public comment before voting on resolutions.

One of the main discussions during a workshop Oct. 2 was whether the resolution should say that commissioners “may” invite public comment on agenda items or “shall” invite public comment on agenda items. The former would give commissioners discretion on which items should be opened up for public comment.

Toward the end of the workshop, the commissioners agreed to use “shall” instead of “may” in a new draft resolution, which they could vote on following discussion at the town meeting Tuesday.

The vote to repeal and replace the resolution on Tuesday garnered applause from residents in the audience.

Before the commissioners came to a decision, they heard from residents. The majority of residents who spoke shared that they think “shall” should be used.

Resident Jane McCarthy said she didn’t think the commissioners had the right to use the word “may” in the resolution.

“We are the people,” she said. “We are the taxpayers in this town.”