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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-18 ad Hoc Charter Review Committee Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ad Hoc Charter Review Committee Date: 2013-12-18 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Review Reading Town Charter Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: Precinct 2: Steve Crook, Alan Foulds Precinct 3: Margret Russell, Paul Sylvester Precinct 4: Glen Hartzel, Richard Coco, David Mancusco Precinct 5: Phil Pacino, Phil Rushworth Precinct 7: Carolyn Whiting, John Segalla, John Carpenter Precinct 8: Bill Brown Members - Not Present: Precinct 5: Janice Jones Precinct 7: Jeff Struble Others Present: Town Clerk: Laura Gemme Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Richard Coco, Clerk Topics of Discussion: Meeting was called to order by the Chair, Town Meeting Moderator Alan Foulds at 7:30 pm. The minutes from the November 4, 2013 meeting of the Committee were read and approved unanimously on a motion made by Bill Brown, seconded by David Mancusco with the following corrections: correctly list Paul Sylvester as a member of Precinct 3; delete the words "and may discharge him." from page 3, Article 3.3. It was noted by the Town Clerk, Laura Gemme that since there are three members of the Bylaw Committee also serving on the Reading Charter Review Committee a separate posting of a Bylaw committee meeting must be made for the same dates that the Charter Review Committee meets. She also noted that the proposed revisions to the Reading Town Charter can be found on the Reading Town web site by clicking on the Bylaw page and then "proposed changes". There followed a discussion by the committee related to the "Open Meeting" to be held on December 2, 2013 at the Senior Center on Pleasant Street. The Chair Alan Foulds, will provide an overview of the Committees deliberations to date and then seek inputs from other Reading Boards, Committees and Commissions as well as the general public. Inputs have been requested to be in writing, if possible. It was also decided to have the Reading Community Television present to record and broadcast the meeting live. The committee next discussed and decided to alter the manner in which changes to the Reading Charter are voted. Rather than vote on each of the proposed change to each Article Page 1 1 sub-section, the Committee will discuss and reach a consensus on the language of each proposed change and take a final vote to approve the entire Article, as amended. This procedure should help to expedite the process of reviewing and approving proposed changes to the charter. Continuing review of Articles Bill Brown proposed an amendment to reduce the number of Town Meeting members from the present 192 to 168 (twenty-one (21) members per precinct, seven (7) elected every year). He suggested that the reduced number might improve the percentage of participation by Town Meeting members. It was unclear whether this change would actually improve attendance. The committee discussed this proposed change and also the possibility of adding "at-large" elected Town Meeting members. At-large members would allow individuals interested in serving on Town Meeting to run for election town-wide and thus have a chance to be elected when the number of candidates in their precinct in equal to or greater than the number of openings. The Committee finally decided to table the matter and asked the Town Clerk to request input from Town Counsel as to how "at-large" Town Meeting membership might be implemented. Further, it was decided to postpone any action on this proposed change to Town Meeting membership numbers but to bring the issue to Town Meeting when the Revised Reading Town Charter is submitted for their review and vote. Bill Brown also proposed moving the subject matter of Article 4-10 and incorporate its language as part of Article 3-2. After discussion the Committee consensus was to reject this proposal but did recommend adding after "The Board of Selectmen" the words "may establish, appoint or dissolve" standing committees--- in the 2nd paragraph of Article 4-10. Also in the 3rd paragraph of this same article add after the statement "from time to time" the following "may establish, appoint or dissolve" ad hoc committees---. Article 3-4 Board of Library Trustees Delete "Constitution and" so the sentence reads simply "under the General Laws of the Commonwealth and such"--. Article 3-5 Municipal Light Board The consensus of the committee was to delete entirely the 2nd paragraph. The 3rd paragraph remains unchanged. In the 4t" paragraph add after the Municipal Light Board "shall hire and set the duties and compensation of the Municipal Light Department General Manager." Deleting the rest of the sentence; also deleting "Reading" before Municipal Light Department in this same sentence. In the last paragraph add "Town of Reading" before Finance Committee and "Town of Reading" before Town Meeting. Article 3-6 Board of Assessors Add the word "General" before "Laws of the Commonwealth and delete "not consistent with this charter.". There was also discussion on whether the Board of Assessors should be appointed by the Board of Selectmen rather than elected? The belief was that by appointing the Assessors more qualified individuals would comprise the Board. This question may be brought up for discussion at the "Open Meeting" on December 2nd Article 3-7 Moderator Replace the word "He" in the 3rd sentence by "The Moderator". Delete the last sentence in its entirety. On a motion by Bill Brown, second by John Segalla, the committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:36 pm. Communications Page 1 2 December 2, 2013 To: Home Rule Petition Committee Re: Response to Section 3.5; Municipal Light Board Please present this to all of the members of the Home Rule Petition Committee on Dec. 2, 2013 Dear Sirs: The Reading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners has not had an opportunity to review the content within the suggested proposed changes. As such, any suggested changes in the present document are pre-mature and need to be approved via the entire Municipal Light Board. At this time, we must take exception to any and all changes until they are determined to fall within Home Rule Charter versus Massachusetts state law. Thank you. John Stempeck Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Page 1 3