Selectmen Talk About Board Chairmanship

The town selectmen talked about the board's leadership structure during a working session on policies and procedures.

Selectman Bob Cohen raised the possibility of members rotating into the position of board chairman.

"Lately, the chairmanship has become a bit of a political football," he said. "Any time there's a measure of disagreement, the issue of removing the chair comes up."

Cohen suggested that no one board member be able to hold the chairmanship for one year consecutively.

"This idea depoliticizes the position of chairman and gives more people a shot at a leadership role," he said.

Selectman Joseph Botaish disagreed.

"If you've got someone doing an outstanding job, why take it away from them?" he said.

Cohen said the position is currently a ceremonial one.

"The chairman is not the leader of the board, but runs the meeting," he said. "If someone's good, they get two shots in three years."

"I just think what's gone on hasn't been healthy," he added. "In my opinion, not changing just guarantees the same thing will happen again."

Board Chairman Stephen Langley said it was something the board could try.

Selectman Gail Pratt, however, said she felt the board should allowed to choose its chairman.