Opinion

Draft town charter does not reflect community values or input

| Laura Fralich |

I am writing to voice my thoughts and concerns on the proposed New Gloucester Town Charter. I have been disappointed by the Charter Commission’s overall lack of responsiveness to public opinion as well as in the values that the charter seems to be promoting throughout the draft. Time and time again, the charter prioritizes exclusion, limitation of public engagement, and entrenchment of the status quo.

Town Meeting. The majority of survey responders said that they supported a minimum attendance for town meetings due to the small fraction of the population that attends. Many said that they support a town meeting that holds non-binding votes. Town meeting has many community benefits, but it is not an inclusive process for most residents. Due to work, childcare, health, or other reasons, many residents are not able to attend and there is no alternative way for them to participate, such as an absentee ballot.

Term Limits. The majority of residents support term limits; however, the new charter is actually less restricting than what voters have approved in the past. The Charter Commission is proposing a limit of three three-year terms with a one-year break before running again. One year off after nine years, followed by another nine years, does not constitute a term limit. Being able to serve 18 out of 19 years is not upholding the spirit of term limits that voters overwhelmingly supported at the polls in order to cultivate new leadership and ideas in the town. 

Family membership on boards and committees. There should be a limit to one immediate family member on boards and committees. This would allow fresh perspectives, new ideas, and diverse membership on committees. It leaves room for new residents to get involved and learn how our town government works. 

Board and Committee Membership Requirements. It should not be a requirement to be a registered voter- this is not our current policy and unnecessarily and unjustly restricts non-citizens, youth, and non-town members from contributing their valuable skills, knowledge, and experience. We should be working to be a more inclusive, welcoming town, not less. We should be inviting diverse perspectives, youth voices, and knowledgeable, experienced experts onto our boards and committees. Boards and committees are appointed by the select board members, get their charge from the select board and major decisions and funding need to be approved by the select board. Select board members do need to be citizens and registered voters; committee and board members cannot make any binding, legal or funding decision without their approval. 

In regards to non-citizens serving on boards and committees, I think there is a misconception about what it takes to become a citizen. The process to become a citizen is a long, tedious, and bureaucratic process that takes years. In order to even start the process, you need to be a legal permanent resident for at least five years, be able to prove your good moral standing, pass a civics and history test that most native-born Americans could not pass, pass a reading, writing and oral English test and pay a fee of hundreds of dollars. The median length of time it takes from being a lawful permanent resident to becoming a citizen is seven years, though for many it could take much longer, even decades, and some are never able. The pandemic has created even longer wait times and backlogs. This does not mean that these people waiting are here illegally or are not as committed to their community and neighbors as anyone else. They also have extensive, diverse, applicable experience that can add incredible value to many boards and committees. 

Not to mention the young voices that are being excluded by this policy. Youth membership on committees and dedicated youth councils are common for many municipal governments, including many of our neighboring towns and cities. If we are interested in cultivating a new generation of leaders, keeping youth in our community, and including young energetic voices in our town government, then we should not exclude eager, motivated young people. We would not exclude willing, committed neighbors from volunteering at the Community Fair or stacking books at the library, and we should not exclude them from serving in other volunteer roles. 

Number of members on select board. The commission should also expand the number of select board members from five to seven. This would disperse the immense amount of work that is required to be a select board member. It would also allow more diverse perspectives on the select board which would provide a richer, more robust discussion on important issues. A seven-member board would give a larger avenue for young, diverse, eager community members to get involved in municipal government. 

Overall, our town charter should reflect our values as a community and a town. I believe we are a welcoming, inclusive, and family-friendly community. It is a town that I grew up in and decided to move back to because I love it so much. We should be cultivating a sense of dedication, commitment, and leadership among our youth as well as creating avenues for our new community members to get involved. The charter as it is currently written does the opposite of this; it restricts involvement, cements the status quo, and discourages new voices. 

Laura Fralich
New Gloucester

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this opinion piece are solely those of the author. Publication does not reflect endorsement by the NGXchange or its volunteers. NGX welcomes diverse viewpoints and invites your submissions. Learn more here.