1989-09-19 Rules Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

28bIL 1 10/11/89 GT/DK Town of Reading Rules Committee Minutes No. 8, September 19, 1989 The Rules Committee met at the Old South Church at 7:30 P.M. Rules Committee members present were: U. Adams V. Carlson H. Higgott R. Lynch F. Van Magness S. Nitsche G. Theophanis Minutes No. 7 were accepted as submitted by a vote of 7:0. F. Van Magness distributed a draft copy of our report for November Town Meeting. Comments were favorable and included a suggested addition of our view on the importance of precinct meetings as a means of getting input from Town Meeting members. Chairman Higgott reported reaction from the Town Manager and Town Counsel on our request that precinct meetings be Article 1 on the Town Meeting warrant. They reported that Town Meeting could start with precenct meetings by action of the Moderator. Discussion on how to conduct such meetings followed. Discussion moved to fairness to members on debate. S. Nitsche suggested having a standing microphone so that those who wished to speak could line up and thus have a fairer vote on moving the question. G. Theophanis reported on recent actions of the Bylaw Committee including action on the instructional motion to reconsider previously passed budget line items. No warrant article to amend the bylaws will be submitted since it has been determined that complicated motions such as the budget can be considered by "discussion by seriatim" per Roberts Rules. On the instructional motion to bar board meetings during the hours of Town Meeting, the Bylaw Committee has submitted such an article and voted unanimously to not recommend. Reasons were given. The next order of business was to edit the draft report of progress. Editing was completed and the final text was approved by a vote of 7:0. Next meeting January 9, 1990. Meeting adjourned 9:44 P.M. R -"ectifully subm' d George heop anis Clerk