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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Civil Authority - 06/11/2020BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority Held a Special Meeting on Thursday, 11 June 2020, at 6 p.m., via remote participation: MEMBERS PRESENT: C. Shaw, Chair; D. Kinville, City Clerk, P. Taylor, H. Riehle, M. Mahoney, P. Mahoney,T. Barritt, S. Hutchins, J. Abate, Sen. M. Sirotkin, B. Gross, A. Gross, L. Vera, M. Emery, J. Abate, M. St. Germain, K. Nugent ALSON PRESENT: D. Young, Superintendent of Schools; E. Fitzgerald, School Board Chair; M. Weiner, S. Savage, K. Murphy. T. Hart, B. Minier, J. Patrissi 1. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the Agenda. 2. Comments & Questions from the public, not related to the Agenda: No comments or questions where received. 3. Minutes of 12 and 29 February, 7 March 2020, and 22 April 2020: It was noted that the ballot total item that read 2.700 should read 2,700. It was also noted that on p. 3, paragraph, the comment was made by Mr. Shaw, not Mr. Hutchins. Mr. Barritt moved to approve the Minutes of 4 June 2020 as amended. Mr. Hutchins seconded. There were no dissenters 4. Discussion of next school budget revote election process and discussion of election day polls: Mr. Shaw noted the proposed vote date is July 23rd. Superintendent Young said the school district obviously wants a passed budget to support education. They also want the highest number of voters to be able to vote without fear of the virus. The Superintendent noted that Essex got a significant increase (from 900 to over 4000 voters) with a mail-in only option. Milton also got a number above any prior school budget vote with a mail-in only option. Both of those towns passed their budgets, one of which was more than South Burlington’s proposed budget, one of which was less, and both of those towns have decreasing enrollments. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 PAGE 2 Supt. Young noted there would be time between the Board’s approval of a budget figure and the vote date to allow for 5 advisory meetings. He also suggested that qualified volunteers from the school district could help supplement city staff for stuffing envelopes, etc. Ms. Fitzgerald echoed the Superintendent’s comments. She noted there is a School Board meeting on Wednesday, and they would hope to present any option that the Board of Civil Authority would support. Mr. Shaw said it was his understanding that there would need to be a warned item by July 1st. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that information has just been released about the differences between the upcoming August and November elections with regard to health and election safety. There had been thought of combining the school vote with the August State Primary, but that is very close to the opening of school, and teachers who have been RIF’d would not have much notification time. Supt. Young said they would like a date as soon as possible, and feel that July 23rd would meet their needs. The hope is to keep that date, have a mail-in only vote, and have more advisory meetings to explain the budget. Ms. Vera said she is still not clear as to who is paying for the cost of the July 23rd vote. Who would pay for an all mail-in vote? She encouraged the School Board to send a postcard mailing to voters to make it clear what the vote is for and all the options voters have for voting. She felt the public was not well-educated enough at the May vote. Mr. Shaw said that the City Clerk has told him that the school district will pay 100% of the cost of the vote. Mr. M. Mahoney questioned whether the City Clerk’s staff would be open to having volunteers assist with their work. Ms. Kinville said there is no permission from the bargaining association for anyone other than paid staff to provide services. Mr. Mahoney felt there would be a huge negative public reaction if the school district pays for an all mail-in vote. Mr. Gross noted that a number of local businesses have closed and more are doubtful about being able to reopen or continue. He felt there shouldn’t be increased spending when there is a reduction in revenue. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 PAGE 3 Ms. Emery said she called the Secretary of State’s office about one aspect of this. And was told that the BCA can appoint any officials it chooses to participate in elections. She noted that with the November election on the horizon, the City Clerk’s office will have a monumental task, and no options should be discounted. She felt that that the 30% turnout in May for such an important vote was less than adequate. A lot of people had commented that the election “passed them by.” She also noted that there is no evidence of voter fraud with mail-in ballots, and the cost would be about $1.00 per resident. Mr. Taylor said he was concerned with safety of election officials and felt everything possible should be done to decrease the need to vote in person. He said Essex had a 500% increase in voters with mail-in ballots. He also noted that voters would still be allowed to go to the polls on election day. He supported mail-in ballots and said the BCA is here to be sure the public gets to vote. He also noted that Milton eliminated inside voting in favor of outside voting. Ms. Nugent said she also supports an all mail-in vote. Ms. Vera said she has heard that people don’t want to spend money on another vote. She questioned whether there would be an option with an all mail-in vote for people who prefer to vote in person. She also noted people might want to bring ballots to the polls instead of mailing them. Mr. Shaw suggested they could have one or more of the polls open to accommodate those voters who preferred to vote in person. Sen. Sirotkin was concerned with asking voters to vote twice within 3 weeks. There is already a process for the August vote. Costs will be reduced significantly if there is only one vote in August. He said he couldn’t think of anything more appropriate than consolidating the 2 elections. Ms. Milot said there were no issues with the May vote. She felt it was a waste of money to pay for a mail-in only option in July and that it was irresponsible when people are out of work. She said that what was done for the May election worked, and that they shouldn’t waste $40,000. Ms. Kinville stressed that people might feel that an all mail-in vote is “the new norm” as this is only an option during this pandemic in 2020. She also noted that in Essex there were thousands of ballots that were undeliverable. Public comment was then received as follows: BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 PAGE 4 S. Savage: What other towns did doesn’t matter. In person voting is very safe. People can drive up with ballots if they are concerned with going inside. Two of her company’s locations have already closed. This would also be more work for the City Clerk who is now alone in her office. K. Watkin: What is the actual cost? Some say $25,000; others said $40,000. Mr. Shaw said they are soliciting costs from mailing houses. The normal cost of a South Burlington election is $8,000-$10,000. Essex may have spent about $25,000. Ms. Kinville noted that this Essex figure is incomplete, and the cost is likely to be $30,000- $35,000. Mr. Patrissi: The School Board should take the initiative to inform voters to ask for absentee ballots and not spend $45,000 of taxpayer money. M. Weiner: The city is not in a position at this time to spend so much money on a one-issue vote. She asked out of which fund would the school district be spending the $45,000. They lost decisively in the last vote, and now they are talking about spending all this money on another vote. They are not listening to the public. There is time to educate the public on what they are voting on. It is easy to request a mail-in ballot. In a time of economic hardship, they shouldn’t spend that money. Ms. Murphy: Are there funds from other sources? Mr. Shaw said not for this election. The city would pay, and the school district would reimburse the city. Ms. Riehle was concerned as to whether the City Clerk could undertake a full mailing with most of her staff on furlough. She noted that the last election process went well though she understood some people were not aware of it. Ms. Emery read an email from T. Hart (who asked that it be read). He is concerned with the cost and noted that the school’s proposed budget was defeated twice by overwhelming votes. He felt the School Board has ignored the people and have insulted voters. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 PAGE 5 Ms. Kinville then explained her concerns with an all mail-in vote as follows: a. The ability of a mailing house to print out envelopes to come back to the city efficiently b. She can foresee a lot of work at the end of the process. c. The process can’t be controlled without her regular staff. d. It can take up to a week for mail to get delivered within the City limits. Ms. Fitzgerald asked whether the actual cost is known. Mr. Shaw said they have “feelers” out. He noted that Essex did use volunteers, but that would create an issue with furloughed staff. Ms. Kinville said she talked with the Essex Clerk. Ballots costs $7,500. They “stole” envelopes from other towns. Current costs are calculated at $30,000-$35,000. The total could be more. Mr. Shaw then asked for a rollcall vote of member preferences between an all mail-in vote and a process similar to the May vote with some modifications. The results were as follows: Ms. Abate: May 28th process Mr. Gross: May 28th process Ms. Gross: May 28th process Mr. Hutchins: May 28th process Mr. M. Mahoney: all mail-in with some polling places open Mr. P. Mahoney: May 28th process Ms. Milot: May 28th process Ms. Nugent: All mail-in Mr. Shaw: May 28th process Sen. Sirotkin: All mail-in Mr. St. Germain: May 28th process Mr. Taylor: All mail-in Ms. Vera: All mail-in Mr. Barritt: All mail-in Ms. Emery: All mail-in Ms. Riehle: May 28th process Ms. Kinville: May 28th process Mr. Shaw said that by a vote of 11 to 7, the Board has voted to use the May 28th process with some updates. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 PAGE 6 Ms. Kinville asked if she and Mr. Shaw could work on putting out a statement to that effect. Mr. Taylor asked if there will be an automatic mailing to those who requested absentee ballots the last time. Ms. Kinville said there will, anyone who requested a mailed ballot in either the last 2 elections will receive one again. Mr. Taylor asked what the cost would be for a “tear-off” request form to other voters to request an absentee ballot by a certain date. Ms. Kinville said .35 cents each plus the cost of design and printing of mailer. Mr. Shaw said that the school district should look into this as a direct mail campaign to promote the school vote. Ms. Kinville noted that the biggest concern from the May vote was that the screens used didn’t work. She questioned whether more substantial screening should be purchased. Mr. Shaw said that with major elections in August and November voting will be very intensive. Ms. Vera noted that the Credit Union has a simple plexiglass arrangement. Ms. Emery said she was concerned with a second “spike” and felt a drive-thru was preferable. Mr. Taylor felt the city should invest in something solid. Mr. Shaw added that if it’s solid and durable, it will get a lot of use in the next 4 months. Ms. Kinville said she heard people asking for 2 front desk people and someone outside to man the front door making sure that the face shield protocol is observed and handing out pens for voting. Members felt two people should be outside to open the door, take ballots, hand out pens if the drive thru option was available, otherwise 1 is sufficient. Ms. Kinville also noted that in May, districts 7-2 and 7-3 both voted at the Middle School and one checklist was used. In August, they will have to be separated because they will have different ballots due to the representative votes. She asked what members wanted for the July vote. Mr. St. Germain said 2 separate books. Mr. Barritt asked if ballots could just be a piece of paper for people to vote “yes” or “no.” Ms. Kinville said the issue with hand-counted ballots is a safety one. Ms. Vera felt hand-counting was not a good idea in a contentious time. Mr. Taylor said the tabulators are the standard way. Mr. Taylor said he would like to hear from the Health Commissioner regarding a recommendation for conducting an election. Members were polled as to whether they would prefer tabulators or a hand-counted ballot. 9 members favored tabulators, 2 hand-counted, 1 either way. The tabulators will be used. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 11 JUNE 2020 PAGE 7 5. Other Business: No other business was presented. As there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Taylor moved to adjourn. Ms. Vera seconded. The motion passed with all present voting in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. ______________________________ Clerk