Updated 9:43 a.m. Jan. 25, 2017 for probable revision of hearing date.

By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM -- The mayor and village trustees are considering term limits for their positions and will have a proposal ready for a hearing probably to be held Feb. 21.

“It’s a good idea,” said Deputy Mayor Eleanor Hopke. People in positions such as theirs can get “stale,” she said at Monday’s board meeting.

Trustee Steve Warr is skeptical of the idea. He believes it might not be good to force people out of office after only a few years, particularly when so few people are seeking office.

“I’ve been running unopposed for eight years. It’s not like there’s a plethora of people willing to run,” he said.

Pierrepont Avenue resident John Lancaster rose during the public comment period to speak in favor of a term limits proposal. “It makes tremendous sense,” he said, and that “it might encourage some people to run.”

Hopke said potential candidates have to overcome a roadblock to securing a nomination through the Democratic and Republican party caucuses, which have not been well publicized, and are seldom well attended, but there is always an alternative with a write-in campaign.

Trustees also talked about office holders just getting “up to speed” on procedures and policies after several years when they would be barred from running again under term limits.

A current draft would limit trustees to two or perhaps three two-year terms and the mayor to two four-year terms.

The hearing had been set for Feb. 20, but that is President's Day,so the board probably will re-set the hearing to be held before their regular meeting in the Civic Center Board Room on Feb. 21.