Government

Salisbury resigns from Charter Commission, urges members to prioritize citizen participation, attention to survey results

January 3, 2022

Dear Charter Commission Members and New Gloucester Voters:

The purpose of this letter is to resign my position as an elected member of the New Gloucester Charter Commission.  I apologize to those who voted for me to serve.  I am unable to participate in the Charter Commission meetings because of: (1) my extended absence from our residence, (2) the Commission not enabling Charter Commission members or citizen participation through zoom and (3) fortunately at this moment not because of Omicron or covid.

I want to let New Gloucester registered voters know that I will be supportive of the final draft of the charter that is submitted for the vote of the community.  Alexander Pope, a eighteenth century poet, stated many years ago “For forms of government let fools contest. Whate’er is best administered is best”.

It appears the Charter Commission directions are to codify in the proposed charter how the Town is currently governing and administering services to the community.  I recognize that my local government experience as an elected official, profession training as a municipal manager, business executive and observations of how local government works best are very different than most others serving on the Charter Commission. 

For those who have observed or have attended Charter Commission meetings I have emphasized the need to keep to a very minimum references to provisions of State statutes.  The final charter document should be a comprehensive document that does not require its citizens to continually refer to state statutes to understand how the Town of New Gloucester is governed and operates.  For example, reading the charter a citizen should know a charter amendment can be placed on the ballot on a written petition signed by registered voters equal to at least 20% of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election and not by statutory reference.   I trust legal counsel for the Commission will make every effort to draft the charter in a manner that minimizes references to state statutes.

Citizen participation in New Gloucester town affairs is an area where I urge Commission members to set aside personal bias and give more credence to the citizen voter survey that was conducted.  The Commission recognized that a large majority (71%) that reflected a desire to continue town meeting in some modified form.  However, the Charter Commission’s preliminary vote disregarded the citizen view that 5% of the registered voters should be required for a valid town meeting.   A large majority (64%) also supported the minimum voter attendance requirement.  The perspective such a provision would discourage voter attendance at town meeting is without evidence.

Thanking Commission members for their time and commitments to drafting a town charter.

Sincerely,
John Salisbury
417 B Sabbathday Road, New Gloucester, Maine 04260