Town of Hartsville
What's left unsaid here is that these and the earlier rules were required by the behavior of wind-turbine opponents:
The Hartsville town board amended several of its rules of decorum for meetings at its meeting Wednesday night.Councilman George Prior said the changes were to be implemented to facilitate less disruptive town meetings.
“Often times questions and comments are disruptive and deter from the purpose of a board meeting, which is to conduct the business and affairs of the town,” he said. “These changes, if approved, are not to be construed as a means of muzzling the public.
“The rules are a sincere effort on behalf of the town to focus on the town's business and affairs in a time-efficient manner,” Prior added.
The changes include allowing the town board to determine whether public comment will be allowed and will include such a time frame on the agenda, and noting board members are not required to respond to public questions and comments.
A final change - allowing public comment on matters discussed by the board that are not on the agenda - was spurred by Councilwoman Mattie Parini. She was concerned residents would be prevented from commenting on or questioning board members about items raised that weren't listed on the agenda.