Meeting, December 11, 2001

 

Present:  Paul Connolly, Raphael Herz, and Jeff Phillips

Absent:  Phil Verzani and Linda Wollschlager

Others present:  David Ordway

 

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 7:25 PM in the School Department Training Room, Third Floor, Town Hall.

 

Minutes of the November 27 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. 5, s. 5-2(b). The chair reported that Ms. Wollschlager had forwarded a draft warrant article to change s. 5-2, along with supporting information, to the School Committee contact.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-12. Mr. Ordway described some of the activities of the Recreation and Human Service Commission:  actually only involved with recreation programs and parks usage; advises superintendent on programs; advises on budget; some misunderstanding about recent appointments and appointment to fill unexpired term of elected member; receives complaints about field conditions, but has no responsibility. The committee asked Mr. Ordway if the commission could provide feedback on the following subjects:  (1) appropriateness of advising on human services; (2) desirability of elective/appointive composition of committee; (3) oversight of nature trails at golf course; (4) advisory role to director of public works for maintenance of recreational areas; and    (5) suggested rewording of s. 3-12.

 

By-Laws, Art. 20, s. 1. The committee expressed a preference that a minimal list of appointees made by the Town Administrator appear in the By-Laws. The committee unanimously (3-0) directed Mr. Connolly to put together a minimal list for approval.

 

By-Laws, Art. 1, s. 1. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to a draft change to this section and inclusion of this item on the agenda for the public hearing (January 30). The change is from the "first" to the "third" Tuesday of October.

 

Charter, Art. 3, s. 3-1(d). The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to a draft change to this section and inclusion of this item on the agenda for the public hearing (January 30). This change to the earlier recommendation to Town Meeting incorporates a threshold of "two plus twice the number of persons to be elected."

 

Charter, Art. 2, s. 2-3. Precincts. The committee unanimously (3-0) directed Mr. Connolly to discuss this subject with the Town Clerk.

 

Charter, Art. 5, s. 5-6(c). Budget. The committee unanimously (3-0) directed Mr. Connolly to discuss this subject with the Finance Committee contact.

 

By-Laws, Art. 1, s. 4. Reconcile language. The committee unanimously (3-0) directed Mr. Connolly to discuss this subject with the Town Clerk.

 

By-Laws, Art. 2, s. 1. Alternative nomination procedure. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to take no action to change this section.

 

By-Laws, Art. 2, s. 2. Resolve ties by lottery. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to take no action to change this section.

 

By-Laws, Art. 3, s. 4. Secret ballot. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to take no action to change this section.

 

By-Laws, Art. 3, s. 5. Reconsideration. The committee unanimously (3-0) agreed to postpone consideration until January 10.

 

On other issues, the committee expressed appreciation to Mr. Phillips for researching web sites of other towns and asked him to coordinate with Jay Ball and Josh Ostroff about ongoing plans to update Natick's web site. Mr. Connolly will discuss with the Personnel Board contact items for By-Laws, Art. 24, and Mr. Herz will discuss with the Conservation Commission contact items for By-Laws, Art. 30. Mr. Herz will draft a committee report for the Annual Town Report due January 15.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Paul E. Connolly