Staff Writer

 Only two residents weighed in at a public hearing on charter commission recommendations that include increasing the size of the Old Orchard Beach Town Council.

The commission, which has been working for 18 months to update the charter, heard public comment at a June 1 hearing that drew three residents. Residents will vote in November on four questions related to the recommended changes.

The commission recommended increasing the town council from five to seven members and imposing term limits. The commission recommends six members serve three-year terms and one member serve a one-year term.

Councilors currently serve two-year staggered terms without term limits.

Commissioner John Bird said a larger council would provide better representation and more diversity. Expanding the council also allows for better turnover and could reduce voting factions, he said. A one-year term will allow people an opportunity to serve without committing to three years, he said.

Other recommended changes include removing references to the “OOB School Board” from the charter to comply with changes in state law. If approved by voters, the town clerk’s term would change from two to four years and the salary would be determined by averaging the salaries of the town’s top eight department heads.

Town Councilor Robin Dayton said she is concerned expanding the council might not work the way commissioners envisioned.

“I am a little concerned about the increase to seven only in that it’s still a small town,” she said.

Commissioner Ronald Regis said other towns of comparable size to Old Orchard Beach have seven-member councils or select boards, including Cape Elizabeth, Gorham, Kennebunk and Freeport.

Dusty Guarino, member of a past charter commission, said she opposes implementing term limits because it takes away voter choice.

“I don’t like taking away citizens’ options for elected officials. I don’t want to not be able to have someone who’s been doing a good job,” she said.

Bird said councilors who reach the term limit would be able to run again after taking a year off.

“It’s not a forever thing. It’s seven years and take a year off,” he said. “If you’re good, people will vote for you again.”

Dayton, who said she was speaking as a resident not on behalf of the council, questioned the language of several sections that pertain to the town manager’s responsibilities. She said she would like the section on work program allotments to have “a little more teeth to it.”

The section requires departments at the town manager’s request submit a work program for the year. Dayton said the information would not be available to the council if the town manager did not request it and should instead be required each year.

“Nothing happens if it’s not requested and that’s the problem I have,” she said.   

Dayton said she wants to ensure there is “an incredible amount of accountability and transparency.”

Commission Chairman Bill Gombar said changes to the town clerk position were proposed to provide more stability. The salary formula was developed to segregate the town clerk position from council influence, he said.

Copies of the charter commission’s preliminary report are available at town hall, various locations in town and at www.oobmaine.com.