RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 26, 2010, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Freeport trustees begin the three-minute era
New time rules in effect for public comment.
Village trustees officially began to limit public comment from audience members attending the board meetings to three minutes, a measure approved earlier this summer.
Village Attorney Howard Colton reviewed the rules at Monday’s trustees meeting, which are intended to reduce the lengthy duration of the meetings. Speakers have up to three uninterrupted minutes to express their opinions, followed by a response from the mayor or a trustee. The speaker may then ask a follow up question. A digital timer with large red numbers counts off the seconds during each speaker’s time at the podium.
Reviews were mixed, as some speakers welcomed the change, while others felt it was a violation of the First Amendment guaranteeing free speech. Scott Sullivan urged trustees to “reconsider the three-minute rule.” He said he considered the new policy a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech and the time limit “could be seen as a sign of mistrust.” But Patrick Morrison lauded the new time limit.
Mayor Andrew Hardwick explained that the new policy was implemented because “some people go on and on” when going up to speak. He noted that “this is a working government” and that citizens may contact village officials any time during business hours to discuss issues they may have.
Steve Malone, a former deputy village attorney, asked about the status of the reimbursement funds from the state for the mayor’s trips in 2009 to China and Germany, to which Mayor Hardwick replied he was still “waiting to hear from the state” about the travel funding.
John Poulos complained about recent lawsuits filed against the village, calling them “frivolous” and also complained about past actions by the former director of public works in dealing with snow removal on his street. Mark Davella said the police lieutenant who recently filed a discrimination suit against the village should be subject to various disciplinary actions, including suspension without pay.
Annette Dennis commented on the community’s warm response at the recent funeral of Komari Franklin, the teenager killed in an auto accident on Babylon Turnpike, and also called for action by village officials to have traffic lights installed on the dangerous thoroughfare. She urged that stop signs and yield signs be installed to help prevent future accidents.
Mayor Hardwick said efforts are underway to make the road safer with traffic control devices, and that discussions are taking place with county officials to take action. (Babylon Turnpike is a county road). Mr. Colton told The Leader that county Executive Ed Mangano has been very supportive in the effort to improve safety on the road.
Former trustee and Fire Department official Don Mauersberger questioned why signs at the entrances to the village noting the sister-city relationship with Walldorf, Germany, had been removed. Mayor Hardwick said the signs were “in horrible condition” and that new signs, which also noted other more recently developed sister city relationships, would be installed.
Jacqueline Blount-Troy cited a litany of issues regarding the quality of life in Freeport now as opposed to her memories of growing up in the 1970s. She expressed concerns about overcrowding, safety in the parks and at the train station. “I worry now about safety,” Ms. Blount-Troy said. “When does all of this stop?”
Two speakers, retired Police Officer Julian Pearse, a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, and Jane Dugan, praised the improvements in the village by Mayor Hardwick, and his working with residents and businesses along the Nautical Mile to promote various events. As might be expected by regular meeting-goers, the first resident to experience the sound of the buzzer, indicating he ran out of time, was Alan Jay, who presented a report by Citizens Against Government Waste that was critical of United Nations fiscal practices, particularly in regard to “wasteful spending” in Haiti.
Under the regular business agenda, trustees acted on the following:
- Authorized the Community Development Agency to apply for a grant of up to $500,000 to conduct a “generic environmental impact statement” for the village’s master plan.
- Approved a New York state grant agreement for $10,000 for the purchase of portable radios and accessories.
- Approved agreements with Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation for a digger derrick truck for use by the Electric Department during hurricane season and with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for installing solar panels on the Fire Department headquarters roof.
- Authorized advertising for bids for sewer repairs on Hampton Place and East First Street.
- Approved sidewalk repairs totaling $1,739 at addresses on Bedell Street and Forest Avenue.
