Burkett Lyburn was appointed under Resolution 27-10 to serve as vice mayor by the Town Council on a split 4-3 vote, with council members Shane Buzby, Gary Seeber and Steve Kennedy casting the nay votes.  As noted by Seeber, two years ago the council departed from years of tradition by re-appointing former council member Trish King to continue to serve as vice mayor based on a recommendation by Mayor Fred Rummage.  Traditionally, the role of vice mayor has been filled by the newest elected councilperson who had the most votes in an election.   

According to remarks made by Rummage, two years ago he approached Lyburn with his intention to move to appoint King to continue as vice mayor.  Lyburn was elected two years ago with the most votes and was expected to serve as vice mayor.  According to Rummage, Lyburn agreed to “step aside” and allow King to remain as vice mayor.  His nomination of Lyburn was predicated on the fact that Lyburn had been bumped two years ago.
Although the three dissenting members spoke of their confidence in Lyburn, their concern was a return to tradition.  Buzby had received the most votes in the May 2010 election and, according to tradition, should have been appointed vice mayor.  Rummage requested Andrea Erard, town attorney, to prepare a resolution stating that the member with the highest vote shall fill the vice mayor position.
By unanimous vote, council passed Resolution 29-10, Establishment of Members of Town Council Committees and Setting the Meeting Dates and Times.  The Public Works council committee was broken into two separate committees, Water and Sewer, which will be chaired by Seeber, and Roads, Streets, Parks and Public Property, which will be chaired by Karen Payne.  Sparkey Ridgely will chair the Budget committee; Buzby will chair the Public Safety committee; and Kennedy will chair the Economic Development committee.  Committee meetings will be held the fourth Thursday of each month, but will begin at 5:30 p.m. instead of 4:30 p.m.  
Also by unanimous vote, council passed Resolution 30-10, Adoption of the By-Laws and Rules of Procedure for 2010-2011.  Also passed was Resolution 31-10, Water Conservation Request, which requests all users of town water to voluntarily undertake water conservation measures and specifies that sprinklers only be used from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Erard presented an overview of Freedom of Information Act noting that “all of your documents relating to town business are public documents” and putting council members on notice that “it’s not the e-mail account that governs the law, it’s the content of the e-mail.”  Erard further noted that text messages are also subject to FOIA regulations.  
During citizen input, Tommy Edwards, representing the Tourism Advisory Board noted that 390 people had visited the tourism information building in June, which is an increase over last year.  Edwards also represents the Fraternal Order of Eagles and noted that the annual cancer benefit will be held July 17.
Sherry Hutchins spoke of her concern about restaurant dumpster odors on Monroe Bay Avenue.
Jay Jarvis of the newly formed Youth Advisory Council noted that a calendar of activities for youth would be available in August.

Kathy Flanagan