Despite a staff report stating open forums for residents are not established or have been discontinued in other county municipalities, Puslinch councillor Wayne Stokley wants to proceed with his plan to start “town hall meetings” later this year.
“I see it as a positive thing that will allow us to better represent our residents,” Stokley said at the Feb. 2 meeting.
He first brought up the idea during the election campaign last year, and the rest of council has indicated an interest in the idea, with the possibility of starting the regular meetings this spring.
Deputy-clerk Heather Krouskie said in a report to council that no other county municipality currently offers such meetings, while other groups and elected officials have discontinued the practice because the meetings were “unproductive” or not well attended.
“Our residents are sufficiently accommodated in terms of having an opportunity to have their concerns heard either by staff or council,” Krouskie said in her report.
She noted residents can present issues directly to staff members or appear as a delegation at council meetings. She warned that if council does proceed with town hall meetings, any issues raised should be “discussed at a later date” so decisions are not made without providing proper public notice.
Councillor Susan Fielding agreed with that stipulation, suggesting the individual leading such discussions should not be a member of council. She was open to hosting meetings before or after council meetings, but suggested the township proceed “slow and steady at first” and be careful not to open itself up to problems.
Stokley agreed a facilitator would be necessary and councillors should just listen at the town hall meetings and discuss matters at a later date.
“It could be a starting point for … something that could be very productive,” he said.
Mayor Dennis Lever said he also liked the idea, although rules, topics, and time limits would need to be established before council proceeds.
Stokley said he would work on a plan for the proposed town hall meetings and come back to council at a later date.
