TOWN OF PITTSFORD
BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY
DRAFT
October 23, 2014
BCA Members Present: Charles “Butch” Shaw, Jane Cornell, Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Ed Keith, Matt Candon, Bill Drummond, Patty Carter, Terry Poor, David Trombley, Bonnie Stewart, Helen McKinlay and Brian Nolan.
Absent: Thomas Hooker, Peter Decker, Margaret “Peg” Flory, Joseph Gagnon, Ernie Clerihew.
Others Present: Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
1.) The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Charles “Butch” Shaw, Chairman.
2.) Accept Agenda: Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to accept the agenda as presented, with the addition of Candidates and Poll Watchers Guidelines as ‘4 A.)’. Motion passed unanimously 12 – 0.
3.) Public Comment: None presented at this time.
4.) Report with Additions to the Checklist: H. McKinlay presented the voter checklist. H. McKinlay explained some of the coding to the members and the reasoning for some of the changes. Motion by M. Candon and seconded by T. Pelkey to accept the voter checklist as presented as of October 23, 2014. Motion passed unanimously 12 – 0.
4 A.) C. Shaw circulated a document for Candidates and Poll Watchers. This document has been posted in Brandon and it gives the Town Clerk the authority to enforce the rules. One rule is for the candidates to park at the Historical Society.
M. Candon inquired if a voter were to wear a campaign button into the polling place, would they be required to remove prior to entry? H. McKinlay stated that yes, they would be required to remove the button. There was discussion that the State Statutes over rule the Local Rules. The Town Clerk also has the authority to move vehicles and remove buttons.
B. Stewart inquired if the button removal was for the general public or just the poll workers and if the parking for the school staff was behind the school. C. Shaw explained that the button removal was for all and the parking for the voters is in the front and the staff in the back of the school.
T. Poor inquired if the poll watchers had some form of visible identification as they stand behind the checklist checkers. C. Shaw stated that 1 from each major party is allowed,
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Poor to adopt the Candidates and Poll Watchers Guidelines as stated. M. Candon requested that C. Shaw review the buttons removal at the State level. Motion passed unanimously 12 – 0.
5.) BCA and Town Clerk must designate pairs of JP’s, assuring political balance in each pair, to deliver absentee ballots to ill or physically disabled voters: Bonnie Stewart and Hank Pelkey volunteered for this duty. The Board of Civil Authority unanimously agreed.
6.) Other Business that may come before the Board: C. Shaw expressed the importance to be present for the ballot counting. M. Candon requested that there be more tables available for the count.
T. Poor requested having more than 2 days notice for meetings. H. McKinlay explained that the original meeting date was October 30, however, there were circumstances that could not be avoided, which is why the meeting date was changed.
C. Shaw inquired if the members would like to receive notices electronically. Members were asked to forward e-mail addresses to the Town Clerk and notices will go out electronically and via US Post Office.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to adjourn at 6:23 PM. Motion passed unanimously 12 – 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard
Recording Secretary
Charles “Butch” Shaw
BCA Chairman