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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-10 Bylaw Committee Minutes 4 r;mA Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERKMA.a 'i - committee - commission - council: 1121 OCT 13 P.M 3' 01 Bylaw Committee Date: 2020-03-10 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Discuss Bylaw for Permanent Session: General Session Building Committee Attendees: Members - Present: Jeff Struble, Strephen Crook, Chris O'Donoghue, Jesse Arnold, Jason Clarke Members - Not Present: Others Present: Matthew Kraunelis, Diana Halsey, Michele St. Pierre, Jessica Franklin, Bill Brown, Peggy Gallagher, Pat Gillen, Kern Martell, Jeffrey Jadul, Marianne Downing, Jody Cotter, Kern Perry, Thomas Perry, Kristen Lachance Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jason Clarke Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 7:38pm Reviewed responses from Appointed Boards regarding non-resident membership on their committee. --The Climate Advisory Committee discussed this question at our meeting on Nov. 26, 2019. The CAC recommends that: Non-residents may only be appointed to Associate membership on boards, committees, or commissions and then only if 1) They offer particular expertise not otherwise available, or 2) They reside in and can represent a municipality for which the committee wants representation (such as for a joint project) Further, the CAC recommends that when a committee member is removed due to their change of residency, they should be allowed a phase-out period in order to transfer knowledge or responsibilities. (e.g., 2-3 months) --The members of the Board of Cemetery Trustees discussed this issue at its December 3, 2019 meeting. The Board concluded that non-residents should not be allowed to serve. Since all meetings are open to the public, non-residents may attend to offer opinions or expertise, and could act as consultants, either paid or unpaid, when necessary, but should not be able to vote as a member. --At recent meetings of the Historic District Commission has reviewed the Memorandum Dated October 28, 2019, from the Reading Bylaw Committee. Please note the following comments: 1. All appointees of the HDC are residents of the Town of Reading. Page 1 1 2. It is understood that the current General Bylaw requires "an individual must resign if they move out of Town" Article 3.3.1.3 3. A member of the current HDC expressed an interest that, if this situation should arise, an individual might be allowed to complete their current term. 4. A question was asked if any non-resident(s) are currently appointed to Boards, Committees or Commissions. 5. A statement was made noting that all meetings for the HDC are posted and are therefore open to the public. Therefore, individuals that have an interest in agenda items can attend and be recognized for input. 6. If necessary Boards (Committees and Commissions) should be allowed to hire consultants if needed for specific information. Please note that this would include legal (Town Counsel). --Human Relations Advisory Committee • Assumed this would be applicable to some committees vs 'all or nothing' • Concerns for having non-residents run committees that have a financial impact on residents (" What is their vested interest level in Reading?") • How a non-resident is connected to the community o to what degree they have a vested interested in the community o who decides the level of vested interest o when does that vested interest end o would be a max percent make-up of non-residents to residents on any committee • Could the Select Board be given authority to create specific committees with this ability and have town meeting vote to confirm? --Reading Cultural Committee: The members of the Reading Cultural Council feel that all members of town boards or committees should be Reading residents. --Recreation Committee: Non-residents should be permitted if 1) No residents are available to fill the position or 2) They bring an element of expertise that no residents bring to the table --Bill Brown: "Any inhabitant of the town seeking appointment to any Board or Committee shall reside in the Town at the time of seeking appointed. If appointed they shall reside in the Town during their term of office. They shall cease to be a member if they move from the town." I think this will cover it well. I personally want[sic] a non-resident telling me what I can do. (clarification: "don't want") --Ad Hoc Committee on Human Rights: Yes, for our committee and for any future committees with a similar human rights-related mission to include members not otherwise represented among residents in our community (e.g., a METCO parent, a member of the clergy, a school or town employee, or a business owner). Public Comment on above: --Marianne Downing - Has only found one charter (Concord) that talks about non-residents on committees. Non-residents shall not be eligible for appointment to any committee that makes or affects regulations. May be helpful to say no committee shall have more non- residents than residents. --Jeff Jadul - non-residents should not be on committees, and non-residents should be non- voting. --Kristen LaChance - non-residents should not be voting members of committees. Page 1 2 --Patty Gillen - non-residents should not be appointed to boards. --Peggy Gallagher - non-residents should be appointed to boards. --Bill Brown - non-residents should not be appointed to boards. --Jessica Franklin - non-residents should not be appointed to boards. --Michelle St. Pierre - non-residents should not be appointed to boards --Jody Cotter - non-residents should not be appointed to boards --Diana Halsey - non-residents should not be appointed to boards except as consulting --Kerri Perry - non-residents should not be appointed to boards except as consulting; has there been a due diligence within the town before looking externally; governance-specific language --Thomas Perry - non-residents should not be appointed to boards Review of Article 8: 8.1.5 - add "or vehicles""from private lands or vehicles" 8.2.2 - newspaper of general circulation in the area - local news medium Article 8 review will be continued at next meeting Approval of prior meeting minutes: 12-4-2019, moved Crook, seconded Arnold, passes 5-0-0 1-15-2020 - amend 3.3.6 - discuss at future meetings Approve as amended, moved Arnold, seconded Crook, passes 5-0-0 Next meeting scheduled for April 22, 2020 Meeting called at 9:37 Moved Clarke, seconded Arnold, passes 5-0-0 Page 1 3