Meeting, July 19, 2001

 

Present:  Paul Connolly, Raphael Herz, Phil Verzani, and Linda Wollschlager

Absent:  Jeff Phillips

 

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 7:08 PM in the School Department Training Room, Third Floor, Town Hall.

 

Minutes of the June 28 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.)

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-1. Mr. Connolly reported on a proposed charter amendment to advise elected officials who move out of town that they are no longer eligible to hold elective office and therefore they should resign. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to the proposed draft change.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-3(b). The committee discussed the need for new language for "not intended to be limited." The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to take no action to change this section.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-12. Mr. Herz reported on the need for more information regarding the Recrea­tion and Human Services Commission. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until September.

 

Charter, Art. 4, s. 4-1(b). Mr. Connolly reported on a proposed replacement for this section describing the process for selecting new TA by means of a new by-law (By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 4). The committee agreed on a one-year/six-months window, the same composition of the screening committee, and an expanded role for the Board of Selectmen to notify the agencies designating members of the committee and to appoint any members that are not designated by others. Other parts of the process remain unchanged. Mr. Connolly will prepare a new draft, and the committee will resume consideration at the next meeting.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-1(d). Mr. Connolly reported on a proposed change for preliminary elections. The committee agreed on raising the threshold that triggers holding a preliminary election for an elected office. Mr. Connolly will prepare a new draft that reflects the wording decided upon at the meeting. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to publicize the new draft before the next meeting when final action is expected.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-1(d). The issue is increasing the number of signatures for elective office, particularly if preliminary elections are eliminated. The committee noted that such a change makes more work for the registrars of voters and candidates. The committee voted (3-0) and agreed to take no action to change this section with respect to the number of signatures

 

By-Laws, Art. 40, s. 1. The committee discussed issues associated with the publication of the Town Report and the specific warrant article that had been referred to the committee by Town Meeting. Ms. Wollschlager and Mr. Connolly will obtain opinions and recommendations from sponsors of the original Town Meeting action in Oct. 2000 and the proposed modification of that action in April 2001 in order to supplement the information already obtained and discussed by the committee. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting.

 

Charter, Art. 2, s. 2-5. Resolve ties by lottery instead of by vote in caucus. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to the proposed draft change.

 

Charter, Art. 2, s. 2-6(c). Do not consider persons for appointment before revision of precincts.

The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to the proposed draft change as amended.

 

Mr. Herz reported on the reply from the Deputy Town Administrator about the administrative code. There is nothing in writing that can be said to constitute an administrative code.

 

Mr. Herz also reported on publicity for the committee's proposals to be acted on at the July 26 meeting. The article for the Natick Bulletin and Tab will not be included in the July 20 issue. An article in the MetroWest Daily News is promised instead. Ms. Wollschlager will place information on the committee's web site and will send out some e-mails. She also requested a link from the Town's new web site (still under construction).

 

The committee decided to schedule a meeting for Aug. 23 in the School Department Training Room.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:37 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Paul E. Connolly