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'r✓✓'T 1~ 1 0/4141 7V UI/UI\ <br />Town of Reading Rules Committee <br />Minutes No. 11, March 6, 1990 <br />The Rules Committee met at the Town Hall Berger room at 7:30 P.M. Rules <br />Committee members present were: <br />H. Higgott <br />V. Carlson <br />S. Nitzsche <br />G. Theophanis <br />F. VanMagness <br />D. Smith <br />Guest was P. Hechenbleikner, Town Manager. The discussion opened with <br />opening Town Meeting on time. H. Higgott stated that Town Counsel advised <br />that opening Town Meeting without the present quorum would require a charter <br />change. He also stated that precinct meetings must be held before annual Town <br />Meeting. The possibility of starting the preliminaries of Town Meeting first <br />and then adjourn for precinct meetings at about 8:00 to improve attendance at <br />precinct meetings was discussed. <br />Other areas of facilitating Town Meeting procedure were discussed: <br />Highlighting differences in the projected motion from the warrant article was <br />suggested, also having current wording handouts available on the floor. <br />Hechenbleikner suggested the possibility of a "consent" warrant that would <br />contain all housekeeping articles and approved by a single vote. On a motion <br />by G. Theophanis the Committee voted unanimously to try this at the upcoming <br />annual Town Meeting if the moderator agrees. <br />Hechenbleikner suggested moving the annual Town Meeting later by two <br />weeks to get better information for the budget. Also, be suggested moving <br />earlier the fall Town Meeting. This would leave a period of time in the <br />winter for a special Town Meeting if needed. <br />There was a consensus to meet on the following day when a session falls <br />on a holiday by moderator action. It was suggested that an ad hoc committee <br />representing various interested boards study the issues of Town Meeting <br />calendar and report to Town Meeting. <br />Finally, further discussions on controlling debate on the floor of Town <br />Meeting included a suggestion that those wishing to speak line up at two <br />microphones in the aisles and speak in turn. <br />Minutes No. 10 were accepted by a vote of 5:0. <br />The next meeting will be after the annual Town Meeting but has not been <br />scheduled yet. <br />Adjourned 9:27 P.M. <br />Re yectfu11y _ ub it ; <br />George Theophanis Clerk <br />