WATERVILLE — Much of last week’s Waterville City Council meeting included discussion about transparency and how the city communicates with residents.
After a budget workshop and once the council convened, City Manager Nick Cloutier told officials that “if there’s any additional documentation beyond the budget book that we want to share with the public so there is full line of sight and transparency, we will publish it on the website.”
Cloutier also said the April 21 council meeting is expected to include discussion of the first of four quarterly reports on City Council goals. The goal-accountability system is new for the city this year.
During the open comment period, Councilor Scott Beale, D‑Ward 6, asked whether the city has a better way to handle resident‑city interactions.
“I’ve been getting a lot of emails from folks, and they have a lot to say, and they often can’t say it in the three minutes” offered to residents at council meetings, Beale said. “I had an argument — or a discussion — with (resident) Leo (St. Peter) just now, and he had more to say. And because of the nature of this organization, we have business to conduct, so we weren’t able to finish our discussion.”
Beale said officials in Thomaston hold meetings that allow residents to have extended conversations with local leaders, without strict time limits.
“The idea would be to collect, in writing, specific actionable things that folks want to get done … and then bring it back to the council,” Beale said.
Councilor Rebecca Green, D‑Ward 4, further explained the Thomaston model, saying it functions as a public forum but focuses on a specific topic.
Councilor Spencer Krigbaum, D‑Ward 5, compared it to the budget workshops the city already holds. He said he worries the format could draw an overwhelming number of people and opinions if residents and stakeholders were in the same space.
Green pointed out that only one resident was in the audience. “There used to be a bunch of folks who would come out, and there would be a discussion face to face, which I think is important,” she said.
Cloutier pointed to the strong turnout at the recent public hearing on the proposed Amazon fulfillment center as an example of effective public engagement. He reiterated the commitment he made at the end of that meeting — that “we are committed as a city to increase and improve that communication moving forward now that it is in the city’s hands” — and said updates are planned for the city’s website and social media.
“I am the newbie at this, so those of you who have more experience, I could use your guidance,” Beale said. “This might create more problems than it solves.”
Council Chair Brandon Gilley, D‑Ward 1, reiterated the importance of transparency while also questioning whether the suggested meeting model would be workable.
“I’m all for transparency. I’m all for ‘we work for our constituents, we work for the city of Waterville,’” Gilley said. “I’m not necessarily against the idea, but we all have full‑time jobs outside of this. I answer my phone, I respond to emails, I will, of course, talk to anyone.”
The council made no decision on adopting a different system for resident engagement.
Also during the public comment session, St. Peter responded to Beale’s observation.
“One thing I hear a lot — and it’s frustrating — is when we say, ‘We work for the citizens.’ I hate that. My wife and I don’t work for our kids; we work together with our kids to help them have a better life,” St. Peter said. “We elected you guys to work with us. I’m hoping you don’t work for me. I hope you work with me.”
He added, “Having a workshop after the budget is processed doesn’t really get people involved,” noting his frustration at being cut off after three minutes, despite being the only member of the public present at the meeting.
Hoping for more consistency in leadership with a new city manager in place, Waterville has been focusing on how to adapt to its growing population and keep up with residents’ needs.
