Meeting, August 1, 2002

 

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

Absent:  Phil Verzani

Others:  Tom Morris, Sue Salamoff, Milton Gilbert, Dom Mirante, Jason Makofsky, Jay Ball, Erica Ball

 

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 7:08 PM in the School Committee Meeting Room, Third Floor, Town Hall. The notice for the meeting had been sent to the Town Clerk for posting on April 1; the agenda had been sent on July 29.

 

The committee voted to open the public hearing. Two documents had been prepared to guide the discussions at the public hearing: (1) proposed warrant articles to change the Charter and By-Laws, 7/26/2002; (2) modifications in the Charter and By-Laws, 7/28/2002. (In these minutes, the items are referenced by the short designations that appear in the first document.) The chair thanked the members of the public for attending and invited them to suggest taking items in the order most convenient to them.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-2(a), 3-6(b), 3-9(b). Constables: Mr. Morris stated that most constables he surveyed did not want to change the wording; Ms. Salamoff and Mr. Gilbert advised checking the wording in the MGL; a majority in attendance favored removal of wording about the Lord's day; Mr. Makofsky advised checking the MGL about "profane swearing". Trustees of Morse Institute: Mr. Gilbert recommended striking all reference to the trustees in the Charter. Selectmen: Mr. Ball said new wording about terms was okay. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting on Thursday, August 8.

 

By-Laws, Art. 21, s. 1. There was no support for deleting the article on the planning director  or on equating planning director with community development director. No other suggestions were forthcoming. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-1(h). The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-12; Art. 3, s. 3-1(a). Mr. Connolly noted that a change in name was also required in s. 3-1(a). The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the revised draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM. The committee also unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve a related draft warrant article about transitional provisions and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

Charter, Art. 4, s. 4-1, 4-2 (3); Art. 7, s. 7-12. The committee voted approval of the draft warrant article and then voted reconsideration when it was noted that opportunity to discuss some sections had been omitted. Mr. Ball asked about the meaning of filing notices of appointments by the Town Administrator with the Board of Selectmen. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting.

 

Charter, Art. 4, s. 4-3(c). The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

Charter, Art. 5, s. 5-2. Ms. Wollschlager reported concerns of the Superintendent of Schools. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting.

 

Charter, Art. 5, s. 5-3, 5-6, 5-7; Art. 4, s. 4-2 (8). The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to approve the draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

By-Laws, Art. 10, s. 2. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the two related draft warrant articles and submit them to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

By-Laws, Art. 11, s. 8. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

By-Laws, Art. 11, s. 9. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

By-Laws, Art. 11, s. 12. Mr. Connolly advised confirming dates in the MGL. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting.

 

By-Laws, Art. 12; Art. 45. Mr. Phillips recused himself for these items. Mr. Connolly advised that suggestions from the Assistant Town Treasurer/Collector needed to be considered. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to postpone further consideration until the next meeting.

 

By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 1. The committee unanimously (4-0) agreed to approve the draft warrant article and submit it to the Fall 2002 ATM.

 

The committee voted to close the public hearing.

 

Minutes of the July 25 meeting were approved as written.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Paul E. Connolly