Policy committee cancels meetings, awaits selectmen

PARIS — The Policy and Procedures Committee has apparently stopped meeting until the board discusses its responsibility.

At Tuesday's board meeting, selectmen voted to again table a discussion of the P&PC's charge until it could meet with Committee Chairman Jack Richardson, who was unable to attend the meeting.

Last month Richardson sent a letter to selectmen requesting they discuss and decide upon a charge to the committee, or, if they believed the committee was no longer necessary, disband it.

At the meeting Tuesday, Interim Town Manager Liz Knox told the board the P&PC had cancelled its October meeting and was not currently active. She said members were unsure how to proceed because the board had not given the committee a clear charge at its last meeting. 

Committee Member Anne Stanley confirmed the P&PC had cancelled its meeting.

"We're taking a little break," she said.

Elliot said he was discouraged the committee had decided to go on hiatus.

He questioned why, all of a sudden, the committee could no longer function until the board took action, noting it still has the charge it was given in 2008.

According to minutes from a April 23, 2008 committee meeting, the purpose of the committee is "to review and update existing policies, procedures, ordinances as needed and draft new as recommended by Selectmen."

Elliot said the board should wait to meet with Richardson before deciding on a charge. He said if selectmen made changes Richardson didn't like, the issue would have to be discussed again anyway.

"Personally, I have no problem waiting two weeks, if you choose not to meet in the meantime, that's your choice as a committee," Elliot said.

"The charge exists as it's always existed and has not been an issue until recently."

Selectman Robert Wessels disagreed the board should table the matter, suggesting the board create a charge and move forward.

Vice Chair Bob Kirchherr said he personally thought the P&PC had done good work.

"The Policy and Procedures Committee is a valuable committee ... I would hate to not have them."

The board voted 3-1 to table the issue, with Wessels voting against the motion. Selectman Ryan Lorrain was absent.