Three new members of the Town Council, who won seats in the Nov. 4 election, took their places at this week’s council meeting, making the five-member council more than half newcomers.
Interim Town Clerk Monique Ward administered the oath of office to new councilors Sam Flinkstrom, Joel Martin and Paul Schumacher at the start of the meeting.
Flinkstrom and Schumacher were each elected to a three-year term on the council, while Joel Martin will be completing a two-year term following the departure of councilor Bill Cole earlier this year.
After the swearing-in of the new members, the council elected John James as council chair and Mallory Cook as vice chair.
“We have a different council set-up this year,” said James, noting the large turnover. “This is the first time since I’ve been here that we have three new councilors at once.”
Despite such a difference, however, James emphasized that one aspect of the council will remain the same.
“Once the council votes, we collectively support each other,” he said. “Any issue, any legislation that comes before us, we decide as a group, not in a singular fashion, and we do so in the best interests of the town.”
James further stressed the importance of transparency regarding council work and discussions.
“Council business is done in these chambers, on camera, in front of the town,” he stated.
Information on council initiatives is provided by the South Berwick Reporter, “which sends a respected local journalist to cover all of our meetings, the town manager or assistant town manager,” and the town website, James said.
Following James’ remarks, the council unanimously approved Cook’s proposal that agenda items for public comment, the town manager’s report, and councilors’ comments be scheduled earlier on their meeting agendas.
“The reason I am making this suggestion is simply because we often have people come to our meetings, and they are sitting and waiting for long periods of time to make their statements when they have other things going on,” Cook explained.
The council declined a suggestion by new member Flinkstrom that it adopt State policy on public comments in place of current South Berwick council rules that ban disparaging remarks against town staff or other citizens; prohibit addressing issues that are in litigation; or make reference to disputes between residents.
“If it is something that you can’t say to your mom, you can’t say it here,” James said.
In other business:
- The council approved a medical cannabis license renewal for Auraz Medical Cannabis at 373 Main St.
- Schumacher was approved as a board member for the Elizabeth Vaughan Fund LPL Financial Account. The Vaughan Fund dedicates monies for winter recreation in town.
- A training for new council members was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24.
- A public hearing regarding a draft consent agreement between the Town and Batham Properties, LLC was rescheduled to Tuesday, Nov. 25. The consent agreement is an effort to resolve a code violation.
- Resident Scott Landis of Academy Street expressed gratitude as a volunteer for the vote recount between candidates Brian Hussey and Joel Martin. “Volunteer efforts are a key, positive aspect of life in South Berwick,” he said.
- Resident Paul Steinhauer of Hill Drive thanked the previous Town Council for making “single stream recycling a reality” at the town’s transfer station.
