Chair announces departure; committee plans January review of intake role and succession

During administrative business, the chair (Speaker 1) told the committee she has purchased a new property and is preparing to leave the committee. She asked members to think about who might take her seat and who could serve as the next chair. The chair said she would be available through January and offered to assist with transitions.

Speaker 4 urged the committee to prioritize finding someone committed to the intake role and described steps she has taken to simplify intake processing, including moving applications online and minimizing paperwork for the town clerk. Speaker 4 recommended Katherine as a potential chair and described the intake role’s heavy recordkeeping and need for compassion in working with recipients.

Speaker 2 suggested waiting for Hester to join a future discussion of proposed intake revisions because Hester participated in earlier drafting. The committee agreed to place a thorough review of the intake role on the January agenda; the chair proposed holding the January meeting in person, potentially longer than usual, to allow an in-person transfer of institutional knowledge.

Members also discussed limited applicant numbers this month and how to maintain continuity when members rotate off the committee. Speaker 7 recommended coordinating with the town archivist and town liaison to ensure records transfer and long-term retention.

The committee concluded with logistics for the January 14 meeting and then adjourned to an executive session to discuss confidential assistance requests.