Chenette pushes to change commission meeting times

At the first York County Commission meeting of the year, commissioners voted to shift the meeting times from 4:30PM to 5PM, but only for 6 months. At that time, assessing whether the new time works for staff and the public. 

Chenette pushed for the change and originally had a motion changing the meetings to 6PM citing the need to increase accessibility, something Chenette advocated for during his campaign this past year. 
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“We have an opportunity to make our meetings the most accessible among all county commissioners,” said Chenette. “We can make it easier for working Mainers to participate in these proceedings and make their voices heard.”

Watch video of the debate over the meeting time below:

Commissioners Dutremble, Clark, and Andrews had concerns around county staff making the meetings. Commissioner Clark voted against any change while Commissioners Dutremble, Andrews, Chenette and Donna Ring ultimately supported a compromise change of 5PM. 

For reference, the Cumberland County Commission holds evening meetings at 5:30PM while most other commissions have daytime meetings. 

“While I’m disappointed we couldn’t get a later meeting time that would ultimately work better for most working Mainers, I’ll take a little progress over none at all,” says Chenette. “It’s clear we need constituents to further engage commissioners around the importance of having a meeting schedule that is better suited for increasing public engagement.”

Commission meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of the month at the new 5PM time, at the county administrative building at 149 Jordan Springs Rd in Alfred. 

Email these commissioners to let them know the public deserves evening meetings:
rdutremble@yorkcountymaine.gov
rlandrews@yorkcountymaine.gov
rxclark@yorkcountymaine.gov