Puslinch councillors are generally in favour of hosting “town hall meetings,” but they are unsure the township office is the best venue.
“It’s not really that different from what we do as delegations [there],” said councillor Susan Fielding.
On March 16, councillor Wayne Stokley presented a proposal for the meetings, which he suggested as a good way to improve communication with residents.
He noted in his report to council that the first meeting could be held in the council chamber prior to a regular meeting of council, but Fielding said the atmosphere should be more “comfortable” for residents wanting to speak at town hall meetings.
Mayor Dennis Lever agreed and suggested moving those meetings to the community centre.
“If we have to go out of our way to make it comfortable for them, then that’s what we’ll do,” Lever said.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt said he is not opposed to the idea of the meetings, but they should have specific topics identified beforehand so it is not a wide open discussion.
Stokley told council the facilitator will “make or break” the town hall meetings. That individual, he said, should be independent of council, knowledgeable on issues in the township, known and trusted by residents and able to communicate criteria and properly conduct the meeting.
