Attendance has become an issue for some commissions. For Commission on Disability Chair Joseph Mulkern, removing a committee member has became a challenge.

During the citizen's participation portion of the Board of Selectmen meeting on Nov. 19, Mulkern brought up the issue. The member would be removed due to missing meetings.

According to Mulkern, the committee has had a tough time holding meetings as they are often left without a quorum.

"This would have been on tonight's agenda,  and we could [have acted] on it," Holmes said.

Selectmen Chair Peter Teitelbaum suggested that the board inform all committee Chairs of the process.

"What I would suggest  is a letter from the board to all the committee chairmen," explaining the process for removing members.

Mulkern noted that the member he is referring to has indicated they are willing to resign, however he's had issues getting a face to face meeting with the person to secure a letter of resignation.

Selectman Steve Holmes said that there is a policy in place which allows the removal of members from certain committees if they miss more than three meetings in a row. The board would send a letter to the committee member, who would then have a chance to respond.

"That person has the right to respond, and we would have a public hearing here," to decide whether or not to reinstatement the person Holmes explained.

Holmes noted that a number of committee Chairs have appeared before the board expressing concern about a lack of a quorum negatively impacting the committee's ability to hold meetings, and encouraged people to contact the board and get on the agenda for future discussions.

Mulkern will meet with Town Attorney Richard Bowen and Judy Whiteside, who serves as the liaison to the Commission on Disability, to discuss how to proceed.