By Anita Schwerner

At their Sept. 4 meeting the select board members agreed to include on their Sept.18th agenda the discussion of Public Comment as a standing agenda item.

Setting reasonable expectations for participation such as a time limit and the need to be recognized by the chair will help maintain decorum and address the concerns of select board members.

Allowing public comment will show an openness to feedback from the community. Residents will know that there is a designated time for them to speak about issues of concern or importance to them. It is important for our elected representatives to listen to public comment to further transparency and an informed electorate.

We can look at the agendas of our neighboring towns for examples of the guidelines they include. Here are some examples:

Great Barrington has “Citizen Speak Time: Citizen Speak Time is an opportunity for the Selectboard to listen to town residents, property owners and business owners. Topics of particular concern or importance may be placed on a future agenda for discussion. This time is reserved for town residents, property owners and business owners only unless otherwise permitted by the chair and speakers are limited to 3 minutes each.”

West Stockbridge also has Citizen Speak Time: This is an opportunity for the Select Board to listen to residents. Topics of particular concern or importance may be placed on a future agenda for discussion. This time is reserved for town residents only unless otherwise permitted by the chair, and speakers are limited to 3 minutes each.

Lee’s agenda includes Public Comment as the first item after Minutes.

At the top of Lenox’s agenda is “Citizen’s Open Forum (Lenox residents are welcome to address the board for up to two minutes)”.

Sheffield has Public Comments at the end of the agenda stating: “a 3 minute time limit ONLY items within the Board’s jurisdiction

Egremont has “Citizen’s Times: (Attendees can introduce topics for a future agenda)”.