HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Civil Authority - 05/31/2017BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 31 MAY 2017
The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority held a mee ng on Wednesday, 31 May 2017, at 6:00 p.m., in
the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT: P. Taylor, Chair; D. Kinville, C. Shaw, A. Cli , T. Chi enden, M. Emery, P. Mahoney, A. Milot,
M. Sirotkin, P. Nowak, B. Nowak, T. Barri , H. Riehle, C. Bolton, P. Benner
1. Agenda Review: Addi ons, dele ons or changes in the order of Agenda items:
No changes were made to the agenda.
2. Emergency Procedures:
Mr. Taylor provided instruc ons on how to proceed in the event of an emergency.
3. Comments and Ques ons from the public not related to the Agenda:
No issues were raised.
4. Approve minutes of 30 March 2017:
Mr. Bolton moved to approve the Minutes of 30 March 2017 as wri en. Ms. Cli seconded. Mo on passed 10-
0.
5. Approve Presiding Officers & Elec on Officials for June 6th Elec on:
Ms. Riehle moved to approve Ms. Kinville, Ms. Bolton, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Shaw as presiding officers and the list
of Assistant Elec on Officials for the June 6th elec on. Mr. Barri seconded. Mo on passed 10-0.
Mr. Taylor noted that Tracy Harrington has moved out of South Burlington. Members agreed to send her a note
of thanks for her service.
6. Elec on Training Including Elec on Day Voter Registra on Review:
Ms. Kinville said there will be a registra on table covered by BCA members.
Ms. Kinville also noted that a lunch will be served at the schools, and elec on officials will be given a voucher
for a free lunch.
As in the April vote, ballots will be hand counted. The bins of voted ballots should not be opened un l the last
voter has finished vo ng. Ballots should then be sorted into “yes” and “no” piles. Ques onable ballots should
be set aside. Counters will then work in pairs to count and recount un l both agree. Both counters should sign
the tally sheet.
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If voters have received an absentee ballot and come to the polls to vote instead, they can fill out a “lost ballot”
for and vote as long as there is no indica on that the absentee ballot has been received.
People at the front table will be told that they should not leave un l the counts match the numbers of ballots
cast.
Ms. Kinville noted that 1220 absentee ballots have been sent out with 820 already received back. In the April
vote, 998 were sent out and 841 returned.
Ms. Kinville directed a en on to emergency evacua on procedures at polling loca ons. An evacua on plan
was distributed and reviewed. It was emphasized the #1 considera on is everyone’s safety. If it is not possible
to return to the building, another loca on will be provided (e.g., City Hall conference room).
Mr. Bolton expressed concern with the possibility of people bringing firearms into polling loca ons. He felt
officials should be prepared to deal with the poten al. Mr. Barri noted it is against the law to bring a firearm
into a school, and the Police should be no fied if a firearm is observed.
Mr. Shaw noted that at the November elec on, a Police car was in front of polling places. Ms. Kinville said this
could be construed as “forcing” people to vote for a budget.
Ms. Nowak suggested officials check to see that the people outside are being cordial. She felt this was a bigger
concern. She again stressed that if there is a concern, call 911.
Mr. Bolton moved to contract to have a Deputy Sheriff on the scene at each polling sta on for the mornings.
Mr. Chi enden seconded the mo on for discussion.
Mr. Benner said there is nothing wrong with an “elevated concern.” He noted there has never been much of an
issue. A student has already threatened violence against other students and teachers. He stressed that even if
a person is not threatening and a gun is observed, call 911. That person is already breaking the law. He also
stressed that elec on officials should not confront a person with a firearm. He also suggested that a Police
presence
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31 MAY 2017
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may actually make people feel less secure. Police will be in the area and can respond quickly to a 911 call.
Sen. Sirotkin asked if the BCA has the authority to hire Police officers. Ms. Kinville said they do, but there is no
money in the budget. Money could be requested from the City Manager.
Mr. Bolton and Mr. Chi enden withdrew their mo on.
Mr. Bolton then moved to express the BCA’s concerns to the City Manager and ask him to contact the Police
Chief and Superintendent of Schools for them to take what ac on they feel is appropriate. Mr. Barri
seconded. Mo on passed 14-1, with Mr. Benner vo ng against.
Mr. Bolton suggested prac cing emergency evacua on procedures every year.
7. Update on Legisla ve Session and Lack of “gap day”:
Ms. Kinville explained that the Legislature has passed new elec on laws. The only thing the Town Clerks have
an issue with is the lack of a “gap day.” More and more is being asked of clerks and there isn’t me to get it all
done the night before the elec on. The Legislature gave “small towns” the gap day but denied it to larger
communi es. Considera on is being given to closing the Clerk’s office the day before an elec on. This would
become part of the Clerk’s “normal business hours.”
Mr. Chi enden said he completely supports that, but he would like to see extended hours on Saturday. Ms.
Kinville said all she would need is the budget to do that.
Mr. Taylor noted that voters could s ll vote the day before the elec on by placing their ballots in a designated
slot.
Ms. Kinville said the concern is with the integrity of the elec on. She stressed that voters have 45 days in which
to cast absentee ballot.
Sen. Sirotkin said there is a movement toward greater access to vo ng. Concern was expressed regarding
providing the support needed for the Clerk’s office to be open the day before an elec on.
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8. Discussion on “Commi ee and Board Work Plans”:
Mr. Taylor advised that he and Mr. Benner a ended several mee ngs of commi ee City Chairs and Vice Chairs.
He directed a en on to a proposed work plan which includes goals, strategies to a ain those goals and a me-
frame in which to accomplish this.
Mr. Bolton noted that the number of volunteers is diminishing because there is so much more involvement
needed.
Mr. Taylor noted that the first goal being proposed is to increase the commitment of JPs in ac vi es of the BCA
and Board of Abatement. Ms. Kinville cited the problem of ge ng people to help with elec ons, a end
mee ngs, etc. Ms. Emery suggested holding a “swearing in” ceremony that would make it a “big thing” and to
include in the ceremony an outline of the du es of a JP.
Sen. Sirotkin suggested adding to the “legisla on” sec on having a Representa ve give input to the Board as to
what is coming up in the next legisla ve session. Members agreed to add to the list “arrange a yearly mee ng
with appropriate South Burlington Representa ves and Senators.
Sen. Sirotkin then moved to approve the “Commi ee and Board Work Plans” with addi ons made at this
mee ng. Ms. Emery seconded. Mo on passed 14-0.
9. Dra of Commi ee Member Skills:
Ms. Riehle said this informa on would be helpful for the Chairs on the 2 poli cal par es to have when they
recruit people to become JPs.
Ms. Emery suggested using the word “exper se” instead of “understanding” of real estate issues. She felt that
ideally one Board member should have that exper se.
Mr. Shaw suggested adding “the ability to be fair and impar al.”
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31 MAY 2017
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Ms. Riehle suggested adding “the ability to read and understand all the materials presented to you related to
Board func ons.”
Ms. Nowak suggested adding “one member should be able to read and understand financial statements from
an appellant.”
Sen. Sirotkin noted that because Board members are elected, there is no guarantee that you would get those
skills.
10. Other Business:
Mr. Bolton suggested that 2 Board members meet individually with new Board members. Mr. Taylor advised
that he and Ms. Kinville do meet individually with all new members and held 2 training sessions this past year
for new JP’s and the offer was extended to all S. Burlington JP’s.
Mr. Taylor said he will schedule a training session for this summer to bring everyone up to speed.
As there was no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Riehle moved to adjourn. Ms. Emery
seconded. Mo on passed unanimously, and the mee ng was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
_________________________________
Clerk