Charter Change Passes at Rockland Town Meeting
Residents approve fire station project and ladder truck, creating possibility for special election
ROCKLAND - May 6 - The Rockland charter change passes with 144 votes in favor and 80 against at the annual town meeting Monday night, marking a significant step toward government reform in the community.
Assistant Town Administrator Courtney Bjorgaard reports the charter change "represents a commitment, really, to a more functional government that is accountable to the needs of today and also creates a responsive path for us to move forward with for town."
The meeting drew 386 residents, which officials describe as an impressive turnout compared to recent years.
"I think our town works best when we have the residents participating, and I was thrilled with the turnout last night. I haven't seen it that full in a number of years," says Select Board member Michael O'Loughlin.
The charter change still requires additional steps before implementation. Bjorgaard explains there will be "a whole year-long bylaw review process where we will go through and make sure that everything is matching up and in compliance and according to state law." The changes will ultimately need legislative approval before final adoption.
Select Board member Steven O'Donnell acknowledges the charter review process required significant effort.
"I want to thank the prior chair, Karen Ripley, and current chair Rich Penney for the charter review committee, both members past and present. It was a tremendous amount of work to put that together," O'Donnell says.
The fire station project and fire department ladder truck also pass at town meeting, with the fire station project receiving 283 votes in favor and 65 against.
This creates a complicated situation for town officials, as these items previously failed at the April election. The Select Board now has the ability to call for a special election to resolve the conflicting results.
"With the election results and the town meeting at odds, it's important to reconsider giving residents another opportunity to weigh in on the projects," Bjorgaard says.
If the Select Board decides to hold a special election, it must occur before September 15, with ballot question language submitted to the town clerk 35 days in advance.
Select Board member John Ellard expresses concern about the process, suggesting changes to avoid similar situations in the future.
"With the fire station or any kind of debt exclusions we have going forward, to try to avoid this kind of best two out of three kind of a situation, because I think that confuses people," Ellard says.
He recommends holding special town meetings earlier in the year for debt exclusion items, followed by the regular ballot vote in April.
O'Loughlin suggests revising town bylaws to change the timing of elections and town meetings.
"I'd love to see them switch that and put the town meeting ahead of the election going forward so that we don't have to do the special town meeting in January, but we can have the town meeting leading up to it and then the ballot, and that's the final voice," he says.
The Select Board plans to discuss the potential special election at a future meeting when all members, including Chair Tiffanie Needham who was absent due to illness, can participate.
Other business addressed at the meeting includes:
- The board receives an update on required improvements at 167 Union Street, known as "the Banner." The fire alarm system installation is nearly complete, with final inspection scheduled for this week. Electrical permits have been pulled, with work expected to begin later this week. The establishment remains under a suspension.
- The board approves appointments to the Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee, which will work simultaneously with the Housing Production Plan. The town has secured $55,000 in town funds and $50,000 in grants for these plans, which typically cost about $100,000 each when done separately.
- The Recreation Department receives approval for a one-day liquor license for an adult egg hunt scheduled for May 10, with a rain date of May 16.
- Officials announce May is Mental Health Awareness Month, with events planned throughout the month. Information is available on the town website and various department Facebook pages.
- The Friends of the Library will hold a book and bake sale on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Kiwanis Club plans a fishing derby at Reeds Pond on June 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Select Board members express appreciation for the community's engagement at town meeting.
"I really like the diversity we saw at town meeting last night. Saw a lot of young families, we saw union members come out, and we saw a lot from Leisure Woods, too," says Acting Chair Lori Childs. "It was the true essence of democracy."