New Processes for Annual Meeting

The Dunn's Corners Fire District (DCFD) Operating Committee (OC) would like to advise electors of three important processes leading up to the 2008 DCFD Annual Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, July 16.

1. Terms will expire for two of the four OC At-Large Members. Any eligible elector of the District can nominate any eligible elector of the District (including him or herself) for the position. The Charter requires that nominations must be received by the Nominating Committee at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting -- for this year that means that all nominations must be received no later than Monday, June 16. Nominations can be submitted to the Nominating Committee either via email ( nominatingcommittee@dunnscornersfire.com ) or via the U. S. Postal Service:

DCFD Nominating Committee
1 Langworthy Road
Westerly, RI 02891

Each nomination must include the name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the nomination and the name, address and telephone number of the nominee (can be the same person). The Nominating Committee will contact the submitter to confirm receipt and will contact the nominee to confirm willingness to serve.

Nominees may optionally forward a Statement of Qualifications to the Nominating Committee (same addresses as above). Each Statement of Qualification will be posted to the Fire Department website (www.dunnscornersfire.com) for voter review prior to the election. Campaign speeches, either by candidates or submitters, will not be entertained at the Annual Meeting. Any campaigning must be done outside of the Annual Meeting.

2. Terms of office for the following appointed positions will expire at the Annual Meeting: Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Assessor/Collector, Nominating Committee. Any eligible elector of the District can recommend any person (not necessarily an eligible elector of the District), including him or herself, for any of these positions. These recommendations will be handled similarly to the elected positions described above, i.e., they must also be received by Monday, June 16, they may be submitted via email or U. S. Postal Service, and the Nominating Committee will contact submitter and nominee. The Operating Committee may request interviews with selected individuals before making their appointments.

3. If any eligible elector of the District wants to make a proposal at the Annual Meeting that will "require the appropriation of money," the Charter requires that that elector must first submit the proposal to the OC. Any such proposal must be presented to the OC no later than our last meeting prior to the Annual Meeting (scheduled for Monday, July 7). However, the earlier these proposals are submitted, the more effectively the OC can review them for inclusion in the 2008-2009 budget.

If anyone has any questions about any of these processes, they are encouraged to contact the District Moderator, John Merkel, either by calling 322-0577 (option #5) or by emailing districtmoderator@dunnscornersfire.com .