Thurmont -- At the town's first workshop, the Board of Commissioners discussed the future of its meetings.In hopes of being able to move swiftly through legislative items, the mayor and board has implemented a biweekly workshop and meeting schedule.
The first and third Monday of the month will be a town workshop, while the second and fourth Mondays will remain public meetings. A fifth Monday in the month may be a day off, or used for a meeting if the board sees fit.
The difference stands in the elimination of public comments during workshops.
Mayor Martin Burns suggested allowing public comment at the end of the workshop, giving residents a chance to remark to the board without a response from the commissioners.
"I don't have a problem allowing public (comment) at the very end," Commissioner Wayne Hooper said. "If they've made the effort to come down here," he said they should be able to speak.
Commissioner Glenn Muth agreed.
If public comment is allowed, Commissioner Ron Terpko said workshops would be no different from a town meeting.
"At what point do we ever get to discuss and talk about issues amongst ourselves?" he said. "We're not changing anything."
Commissioner Bob Lookingbill said if there is a pressing issue residents want to speak with the board about, they can e-mail or call the commissioners.
Without public comment at the end of a workshop, Terpko said people will have more time to digest what the board has said.
Town OKs cell phones during meetings
Cell phone use during town meetings and workshops, an issue that arose during Thurmont 's campaign, has been approved.
Nothing has changed in the town's codes regarding cell phones, but the Board of Commissioners verbally agreed to allow communication to any of the commissioners at any point.
"If people are out there and they're not allowed to communicate with us, but we have our PDAs here and get e-mails from our residents, is that acceptable to us when the public is not allowed to comment?" Burns asked.
Lookingbill said he doesn't have a problem leaving a cell phone on during a meeting.
"There are things going on, more than my family needs to get in touch with me. To shut it off for a number of hours is not always a good idea," he said.
"I will not shut (my cell phone) off because of the fact that my job is 24/7," Terpko said.
He suggested that if someone texts a commissioner or the mayor, he can read it into the public record during the meeting.
Lookingbill agreed with the idea.
During the meeting, Terpko received an electronic message from a resident suggesting people give their names and addresses if texting or e-mailing a comment to the board.
"We are going to allow any types of electronic communication to the BoC during meetings," Burns said.
Film crew closes North Carroll Overpass for two days
A film crew shooting a public service announcement in town about railroad safety will close North Carroll Overpass train crossing Thursday and Friday. The town wants to make residents aware of any inconvenience.
|
