Committee backs Narberth appointment policy with interview discretion and civil‑service caveats

The Narberth Finance Administration Committee on May 15 recommended Borough Council consider adopting a Board, Commission and Committee appointment policy that sets a standardized application and selection process but preserves committee discretion for interviews and respects existing enabling ordinances.

Why it matters: The policy aims to clarify how candidates are screened, interviewed and appointed to municipal boards and commissions, balancing transparency with operational flexibility and legal constraints (for example, civil service rules that limit how alternates may participate).

Key committee decisions and discussion
- Interview discretion: The committee agreed to language that allows the selection committee to schedule interviews at its discretion rather than automatically interviewing every applicant. The solicitor suggested this avoids creating unnecessary expectations when the committee has a clear preferred candidate.
- Respecting enabling ordinances: Members asked that the policy explicitly defer to any enabling ordinance or board‑specific bylaws (for example, for civil service or historic architectural review boards) that contain stricter or different appointment rules. The committee agreed to add a caveat such as “unless otherwise provided by law or enabling ordinance.”
- Employees and appointees: The draft states borough employees generally may not serve on boards or commissions, with exceptions where a board’s enabling ordinance requires an employee member (the HARB was cited as an example). The committee directed staff to add explicit exceptions where legally required.
- Alternates and continuity: The committee discussed civil service rules that require alternates who participate to be involved from the beginning of a multi‑step appointment process; the policy will be revised to acknowledge those constraints.

Formal action: The committee moved to recommend the appointment policy to Borough Council with the modifications discussed; the motion passed as a recommendation to council.

Ending: Staff will revise the policy to incorporate discretion on interviews and the caveat deferring to enabling ordinances and return the edited draft to council for final action.