Council Again Will Print Limited Number of Full Agenda Copies

Manchester's  again will offer a limited number of full paper agenda copies at its meetings, almost a year after the document went mostly online.

Agendas always have been available at meetings, though resolutions on the consent agenda were not included in paper packets. Along with the entire draft agenda, those resolutions have been available online for residents to view on the township's website beginning the Friday before a Monday regular meeting . 

The council will provide 15 paper copies of the entire agenda at meetings, said Deputy Clerk Jodi Pellicano at the March 26 regular meeting. 

"[Clerk Sam Skibo] and I suggested that we do 15 full copies in order to save paper," Pellicano said. "The first 15 lucky takers get the whole agenda, printed double-sided."

The change was prompted after resident Fred Lund complained at the March 12 meeting that the public at the meeting was not shown the contract fees the township was about to approve for its Summer Fest concert series. As consent agenda items, those resolutions were not included in the printed packet. They were, however, available in the online agenda or by contacting the clerk's office. 

All of the full agendas were taken by the public at the council's March 26 meeting. Numerous abridged agendas were available. 

Ordinances on second reading that are to be voted on by the council always have been included in the paper packets available at meetings. 

The township decided to cease printing the full agendas last April because it was a guessing game for the clerk's office to know how many to print. 

Printing copies also meant a substantial amount of paper was used by the township. Pellicano estimated that at least one-half of a ream of paper — over 250 sheets — was used each meeting. Printing agendas on both sides of the paper should result in a reduction of sheets required. 

Residents who are unable to access the online version of the agenda are always welcome to visit or call the clerk's office to obtain a copy, Skibo has said.