By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Reducing the number of meetings during the winter was discussed, but the Naples Select Board opted to keep two meetings a month on the calendar.

The reason for reducing the board meetings from two to one a month was not weather related. Essentially, the change would free up time for the select board members to attend budget committee meetings.

On Monday, Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers introduced the topic of holding one meeting a month during budget season. He offered up some options: The board could go to one meeting a month, and add a meeting if something important came up or the board could keep both meetings on the calendar and cancel one if an agenda is deemed too light.

Chairman Ted Shane explained why the concept of decreasing monthly meetings came up.

“What has happened in the months of February and March, the agenda is smaller,” he said. “It gives us more time to attend budget meetings. If we continue with two meetings a month, those of us going to two to three budget meetings a month, we will be here a few times a week,” he said. 

Somebody commented that the Naples Budget Committee meets every single week once the budget process begins.

Town Manager Rogers said that the schedule was staggered. The budget committee meets two weeks in a row, takes a week off, then holds two weekly meetings in a row and takes a week-long break, he said.

For the select board members who are meeting twice a month and who also serve on the budget committee, once during the course of the month that person would attend two meetings a week at Naples town hall, he said.

According to the town website’s calendar, the budget committee meets on Wednesdays, starting at 6 p.m. Thus far, the budget committee has convened on Jan. 17, and again this Wednesday.

Selectman Kevin Rogers commented on the topic of budget committee meetings. He joined the select board meeting via Zoom.

“If we had one meeting a month, the select board can pay attention to the budget. If we have that one meeting a month, we can have a discussion and ask questions, and get updated on changes and the progress the budget,” he said.

“Our agenda is down to a skeleton right now. How do we incorporate what is going on with the budget meetings,” he said.

 Select Board member Colin Brackett came up with a potential solution.

“Let’s schedule two, and if one is light, let’s cancel it. It is easier to cancel a meeting than it is to add one,” Brackett said.

Shane spoke. “If we go to first meeting and decide not to have second, we have to give proper notification,” he said.

Town Manager Rogers said that legally the town must give a notice of three working days to cancel a meeting.

Selectman Rogers liked Brackett’s idea. “Keep meetings as scheduled. Get together and think about it by Wednesday, and cancel the following Monday if nothing’s going on,” he said.

After some discussion, it was agreed upon that a draft of the agenda would be provided to select board by Tuesday; and on that evening, the board would decide whether to hold or postpone the second meeting of the month.