As Hampstead officials wrestle with how to handle citizen comment, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Arthur Moler has made it clear he doesn't think it's necessary during his meetings.
"We allow public comment, although it's not required," said Mr. Moler during the Oct. 24 commission meeting, after residents expressed dismay at not being able to respond to his remarks about plans for the Roberts Field Shopping Center.
"I'm not sure how much longer we will continue it," he said. "There are other avenues for comment, such as phone calls and letters."
After heated exchanges between residents and officials at recent town meetings, Hampstead's council members have asked the town attorney about public comment.
Citizens were particularly offended at the Aug. 29 planning commission meeting, when the time for comment came after plans had been approved for the development they opposed.
Two meetings later, on Oct. 24, the agenda listed public comment during discussion of each issue.
Residents raised their hands to be recognized by the chairman and hushed each other when the whispering got too loud. But Mr. Moler still deemed the audience too unruly, which led to his statements about discontinuing citizen comments.
Under Article 66 B in the Maryland Code, which governs planning and zoning commissions, citizen comment isn't required. In a Sept. 7 letter, Hampstead attorney Richard C. Murray said Mr. Moler is required to accept comment only during public hearings for master plans.
Public comment during Hampstead council meetings -- of which Mr. Moler is a member -- is required under the town charter, he said.
Mr. Moler's position sets Hampstead apart from most Carroll municipalities and the Carroll County Planning Commission.
"That's a faux pas," said Louis J. Pecoraro, whose term as county planning commission chairman ended Monday. "We encourage the participation of the citizenry. We ask for questions from the audience and comments, be they positive or negative. We still want to hear it."
Formats for public participation vary, but each municipal official contacted said public comment is a crucial part of open meetings. Officials from Mount Airy and Taneytown were unavailable for comment.
"We listen to the concerns and any action that we can take that night, we will," said Ann Marie Osinga, chairman of Sykesville's planning commission. At each meeting, public concerns are early in the agenda and comments are taken with each issue, she said.
General comments from residents are the last thing on the agenda in Union Bridge, said Tom Winebrenner, town planning commission chairman. But, as in Sykesville, public comments are taken during discussion of most issues, he said.
"If it's some certain thing that concerns the residents, normally we ask for comments," Mr. Winebrenner said. Comments at the end of the meeting, if constructive, are brought up at the next meeting, he said.
New Windsor's planning commission chairman, Robert Dixon, has singled out newcomers to meetings, asking them by name if they have anything to say, said Mayor Jack A. Gullo Jr.
"Our meetings are not really well attended by the public," said Mayor Gullo, noting that the town is just beginning to grow. "But when people come, Mr. Dixon and the whole planning commission ask for their comment and welcome it. He [Mr. Dixon] goes out of his way to help."
Such an attitude is important as the county begins to grow more rapidly, said Westminster's mayor, W. Benjamin Brown. In Westminster, planning commission Chairman Lawrence Wiskeman asks residents who want to comment to sign in at the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Brown said.