Meeting, June 14, 2001

 

Present: Linda Wollschlager, Raphael Herz, Jeffrey Phillips, Paul Connolly, Philip Verzani

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 7:14 PM in the School Department Training Room, Third Floor, Town Hall.

Minutes of the May 31 meeting were approved as written.

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.)

By-Laws, Art. 10, s. 4. Ms. Wollschlager reported that the revenue collected from parking meters is indeed handled as described in this section. The committee unanimously (5-0) agreed to take no action on changing the section.

By-Laws, Art. 10, s. 2. Ms. Wollschlager presented a draft revision of the associated table entitled "Appointments Made by the Board of Selectmen." After considerable discussion about what should be included in the table, the committee voted (4-1) to approve a draft change to the table. The table as approved is the draft version offered by Ms. Wollschlager with several changes: (1) drop Special Municipal Employees; (2) move Contributory Retirement Board; (3) introduce new section Representatives to Regional Boards and regroup; (4) alphabetize; (5) expand abbreviations; (6) correct reference "(A) s.1." Ms. Wollschlager will prepare the new table as approved. Mr. Connolly will prepare a briefing paper explaining the rationale for listing (and not listing) items in the table.

By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 1. Ms. Wollschlager presented a draft revision of the associated table entitled "Appointments Made by the Town Administrator." After discussion, the committee voted (5-0) to approve a draft change to the table. The table as approved is the current version in the by-law with several changes: (1) drop Central Equipment Purchasing Committee; (2) introduce new section Committees and new section Town Officials and regroup; (3) alphabetize. Ms. Wollschlager will prepare the new table as approved. Mr. Connolly will prepare a briefing paper explaining the rationale for listing (and not listing) items in the table.

Charter, Art. 5, s. 5-2(b). Ms. Wollschlager reported that no feedback had been received from the contact for the School Committee. The committee deferred action until the next meeting.

Charter, Art. 4, s. 4-1(c); By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 3. The committee unanimously (5-0) voted to reconsider its approval of the wording voted at the May 31 meeting. The committee unanimously (5-0) approved an amendment striking the words "in business." The committee unanimously (5-0) approved the revised draft of the new By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 3.
Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-3(b). The committee deferred action until the next meeting.

Charter, Art. 2, s. 2-4(a). Mr. Connolly had provided some background information for the May 31 meeting on the issue of Town employees serving as Town Meeting members. At that time, the committee decided to delay the vote until Mr. Connolly was present. The committee unanimously (5-0) agreed to take no action on changing the section.

Charter, Art. 3, s 3-1. The committee deferred action until the next meeting.

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-12. The committee discussed at length how previous changes in the organization of Town departments had not been accompanied by changes in the powers and duties of the Recreation and Human Services Commission. The committee deferred action until the next meeting.

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-9. Mr. Verzani reported on the location of Mary Ann Morse's will and town reports. The committee did not wish to refer to the location of the will in this section nor add any description about the powers and duties mentioned in the will. The committee unanimously (5-0) agreed to take no action on changing the section.

The committee discussed the need to approve more items at meetings over the next four weeks so that there will be a critical mass of items to recommend to Town Meeting in the fall. All members will present their lists of priority items to Mr. Herz so that he may place them on the schedule. The committee decided to defer discussion of how best to publicize the recommendations and how to obtain public input before the committee's final vote.

Mr. Connolly will schedule meetings for July 12, 19, and 26.

The meeting adjourned at 9:59 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul E. Connolly