“Plan E” 1996 Charter Open Town Meeting/ Representative Town Meeting/ Council/ Council/ RTM/ Item (Council/ (RTM/ Selectboard/Manager Selectboard/Manager Manager Mayor Mayor (?) Manager/Weak Mayor) Council/Manager) Legislative Branch OTM RTM Council Council Council RTM RTM “Council” (Selectboard Executive Branch Selectboard/Manager Selectboard/Manager Manager Mayor Manager Mayor function)/Manager Mayor Function n/a n/a n/a Executive Weak/ceremonial Weak/ceremonial Executive Executive (Selectboard Council Function n/a n/a Legislative Legislative Legislative n/a function) n/a or Manager Function Part of Executive Part of Executive Executive Executive Part of Executive n/a Part of Executive (e.g., CAO) Town Meeting Legislative Legislative n/a n/a n/a Legislative Legislative Function Selectboard n/a (function taken by Part of Executive Part of Executive n/a n/a n/a n/a Function “Council”) Budget presentation Selectboard Selectboard Manager Mayor Manager “Council” Mayor Final budget vote OTM RTM Council Council Council RTM RTM Form of Government # OTM/ RTM/ Council/ Council/ “Plan E” (Council/ 1996 Charter (RTM/ RTM/ Challenges Selectboard/Manager Selectboard/Manager Manager Mayor Manager/Weak Mayor) Council/Manager) Mayor (?) 1 There is uncertainty about how much +/- executive authority the Select Board Discussion has. 2 There is inconsistency in how much +/- agency the Town Manager has. Discussion 3 There is sometimes inadequate +/- communication among town Discussion departments, and also between town government and the public. 4 The town lacks an ability for a chief +/- executive to represent the town in high Discussion level meetings. 5 The select board does not represent +/- the diversity of our town. Discussion 6 Because Town Meeting meets only +/- twice a year, the town makes decisions Discussion slowly and is not nimble. 7 Responsible town mtg participation +/- requires more preparation than some Discussion members are able to do. 8 Town meeting does not represent the +/- diversity of our population. Discussion 9 Unfilled seats. +/- Discussion 10 People do not hear about and do not +/- attend meetings seeking their input. Discussion 11 Sometimes meetings seeking public +/- input are not scheduled early enough Discussion in the decision-making process. 12 People want to participate but often +/- don’t have the required time, and don’t Discussion know how to participate. Form of Government # OTM/ RTM/ Council/ Council/ “Plan E” (Council/ 1996 Charter (RTM/ RTM/ Challenges Selectboard/Manager Selectboard/Manager Manager Mayor Manager/Weak Mayor) Council/Manager) Mayor (?) 131 IncreasinglyThere is uncertainty hostility about and polarized how much +/- positionsexecutive undermineauthority the robust Select and Board sincere Discussion participation.has. 14 Zoning +/- Discussion 15 Planning +/- Discussion 16 Other +/- Discussion 17 Other +/- Discussion 18 Other +/- Discussion Values and Principles 1 Maintain and improve citizen participation and involvement (including policy-making and voting) 2 Support a clear voice for Amherst (including relationship with UMass and colleges) 3 Foster representativeness (reflective of demographics and reflective of representation of interests) 4 Create effective, deliberative, and efficient structures, roles, and processes (including within gov & relationship with residents) 5 Prioritize accountability and transparency 6 Foster a culture of tolerance and respect Form of Government # OTM/ RTM/ Council/ Council/ “Plan E” (Council/ 1996 Charter (RTM/ RTM/ Challenges Selectboard/Manager Selectboard/Manager Manager Mayor Manager/Weak Mayor) Council/Manager) Mayor (?) 71 SupportThere is uncertaintythe ability to about address how much Amherst’sexecutive authority problems the and Select craft aBoard future directionhas. 8 Avoid big-money politics Challenges Identified by Commissioners via Collins Center Survey 1 Planning/zoning/ development/housing 2 University/college-related challenges 3 Politics 4 Leadership and management 5 Taxes 6 Government services and functions 7 Demographics-related.