The West Tisbury select board Wednesday learned that two members of the Up-Island Council on Aging board are apparently in violation of the council's bylaws. The bylaws say members can't serve more than two consecutive terms.
As plans to renovate the Howes House in West Tisbury remain on hold, the intermunicipal board which oversees senior-focused programming at the building has come under scrutiny.
At a meeting Wednesday, the West Tisbury select board reviewed the Up-Island Council on Aging bylaws, learning that there is a provision that disallows anyone from serving on the Council on Aging board for more than two consecutive terms.
At least two members are in violation of the rule.
West Tisbury select board member Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter has served on the Council on Aging board for 23 years and Nancy Cabot, also from West Tisbury, has served more than two consecutive terms.
“I truly don’t believe I’ve ever seen this before,” Mr. Manter said of the document at Wednesday’s meeting.
In addition to three representatives appointed by the West Tisbury select board, Aquinnah and Chilmark each appoint two members to the Council on Aging’s board, and Mr. Manter said some of them may also have violated the regulation.
The Council on Aging bylaws were not approved by town meeting, but are internal board regulations approved in 1994, said town administrator Jennifer Rand.
Still, select board member Cynthia Mitchell raised concerns.
“We need to bring the Up-Island Council on Aging…into compliance,” she said, also pointing out that several years’ worth of minutes for the board could not be located.
Mr. Manter vowed to call a meeting of the Council on Aging board, allowing them to consider what action to take.
“To me, the direction has to come from [the board],” he said.
West Tisbury resident Susan Wasserman offered to facilitate the board conversation, as an impartial individual. Ms. Wasserman also spoke of the potential of the discussion to reinvigorate talks on the council between the up-Island towns, which stalled after a lukewarm response to West Tisbury’s recent request for Chilmark and Aquinnah to contribute to funds for the Howes House renovation project.
“Isn’t this a great place to start collaborative discussion?” she said.
Comments
Isn’t 23 years long enough
KT Up IslandIsn’t 23 years long enough for any one person?
Providing that actual open
George Stein OBProviding that actual open elections are held on a regular basis I would endorse changing the charter. When no conversation is held for allowing nominations and balloting that is a serious transgression. I have a sibling who has done that with a volunteer group at my high school. President for life has killed recruitment since the pandemic. New blood is the vibrancy of any group.
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