AUBURN — A group charged with reshaping the way Androscoggin County works is asking for the public’s advice. Issues such as whether the county needs a professional administrator or how many elected commissioners there ought to be are expected to be raised as the new Charter Commission begins its work.
First, the commission wants to hear what people think about county government and how it might be changed.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the law library of the Androscoggin County Building in Auburn.
“It’s really meant to be a listening session,” Chairman Richard Gross said. “It’s going to be pretty open.”
Since the commission began meeting last month, members have been gathering information. Commissioners dusted off a charter that was crafted in the early 1990s but defeated by voters. They have also looked at several other Maine county charters.
By late April, the group plans to meet with the heads of county departments and unions.
Before all that happens, the commission wants to hear what the public — including town and city leaders in the county’s 14 communities — has to say about county government.
Letters were sent to leaders in every town, requesting feedback.
“Over the years, what problems have you encountered in working with county government?” the letter asked. “”Do you have recommendations to improve the structure and function of Androscoggin County government?”
Gross said he expects plenty of suggestions.
Each of the Charter Commission’s nine members hope to become expert on a different county issue. For instance, one is looking at the issue of an administrator. Another is looking at how many county commissioners there ought to be.
Chip Morrison, who is also serving as the secretary for the charter group, said he has been charged with looking at whether a recall provision is needed and how it might be worded.
So far, the commission has spent three meetings getting itself settled, bringing on help to record its meetings and collect needed research. The officers include Gross, Morrison and Richard Grandmaison, who was named vice chairman.
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