Meeting, January 10, 2002

 

Present:  Linda Wollschlager, Paul Connolly, Raphael Herz, and Jeff Phillips

Absent:  Phil Verzani

Others present:  Frank Foss, Joshua Ostroff

 

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 7:20 PM in the School Department Training Room, Third Floor, Town Hall.

 

The committee discussed the specific items on the agenda. (In these minutes, the items are referenced by the short designation that appears in the agenda.)

 

The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to take up Item 4 on Natick's web site out of order. Mr. Ostroff declared that the Town web site underdelivers what it was expected to do. An ad-hoc committee has been assembled to investigate problem areas and state goals. The Information System Advisory Board is also focusing on the resolution of the problems. The Board of Selectmen needs to provide a mandate to get a first-rate web site operational for Natick. At the present time, Mr. Ostroff could not recommend any actions for the CBRC.

 

The committee raised the issue of reinstating an advisory board of public works.

 

Charter, Art. 5, s. 5-2(a), 5-2(b), 5-3, 5-6(a), 5-6(c), 5-7, 5-7(b); By-Laws, Art. 23, s. 1, 4, 6. Budget process; Finance Committee. Ms. Wollschlager reported that the School Committee is studying the draft warrant article changing the school budget process. Mr. Foss reported that the draft warrant articles addressed all the problems he had, and he invited the committee members to the January 24 Finance Committee meeting when members of the Finance Committee will provide their inputs. The committee unanimously agreed (4-0) to modify one draft warrant article for better clarity and to schedule these items on the agenda for the public hearing (January 30).

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-12, 3-12(b). Recreation Commission; park maintenance.

Charter, Art. 4, s. 4-3(c); By-Laws, Art. 24, s. 1.2, 1.3, 2.1c, 2.2, 3.6, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4, 7.3.4, 7.4, 7.5, 7.8, 12, 13.2, table. Personnel.

By-Laws, Art. 30, s. 2, 2.4.1, 2.5, 2.5.1, 2.9. Wetlands Protection by-law.

There has been coordination on all of these items with the appropriate contact. The committee unanimously agreed (3-0) to schedule these items on the agenda for the public hearing.

 

By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 1. List of appointees by Town Administrator.

Charter, Art. 2, s. 2-3, 2-4(b); Art. 3, s. 3-1(d)(4); By-Laws, Art. 1, s. 4. Conformity with current practice and MGL.

The committee unanimously agreed (4-0) to proceed with the draft warrant articles and to schedule these items on the agenda for the public hearing.

 

By-Laws, Art. 3, s. 5. Reconsideration. The committee unanimously agreed (4-0) to postpone further consideration until the meeting after the public hearing.

           

The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to authorize Mr. Herz to prepare and submit the committee report for the Annual Town Report (due January 15) as outlined. Mr. Herz plans to forward his draft to the other committee members for comments before submittal.

 

The committee decided not to undertake any special publicity campaign in advance of the public hearing. The committee will post a detailed agenda and refer interested citizens to the committee web site for details.

 

If time permits after the public hearing, the committee plans to continue the process of systematic review of the By-Laws, starting with Article 40.

 

Minutes of the December 11 meeting were approved as written.

 

The committee decided to schedule meetings (after Jan. 30) on Feb. 20, Mar. 7, and Mar. 20.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:12 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Paul E. Connolly