HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-12 Appointment Committee - Bylaw Committee MinutesrBc90
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Town of Reading
TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Appointment Committee -Bylaw Committee
Date: 2023-06-12 Time: 6:00
PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location:
Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Open Session
Purpose: Appoint Members to Bylaw Version:
Final
Committee
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Alan Foulds, Jeffrey Struble, Jackie
McCarthy
Members - Not Present:
others Present:
Jennifer Hillery (remote), Jared Belliveau (remote), Jason Clarke
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in-person In the Berger Room of Town Hall and remotely via Zoom
Chair Alan Foulds called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
There are three vacancies to be filled on the Bylaw Committee: two seats with three-year
terms, and one seat with one year remaining on the term.
Interview Applicants and Incumbents for Bylaw Committee:
Jennifer Hillery:
Jennifer Hillery has lived In Reading for almost eleven years. She has been a Town Meeting
Member for eight years, and has served as precinct Chair for three of those years. She is a
lawyer by trade and stated that she believes her sklllset would be useful on the Bylaw
Committee. She has been an active volunteer in other town initiatives including overrides,
and has served on committees of school leadership. She has gotten to know members of
the Bylaw Committee in her role as Precinct Chair on the Rules Committee.
One topic she anticipates addressing on the Bylaw Committee is electronic voting at Town
Meeting. She stated that she sees the Rules Committee and Bylaw Committee working
together to ensure a smooth transition and continuing research and supporting the Town
Moderator for the potential for electronic voting.
Ms. Hillery stated that she is very proud of her approach to things, with an eye towards the
mission to which she is assigned. As a member of the Bylaw Committee, she would use the
same approach without any sort of agenda, and feels that she can act in a manner
consistent with the charge of the Committee. Her legal training helps her approach things
in an ethical manner.
Jared Belliveau:
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Jared Belliveau has lived in Reading for about twelve years with his wife and three
daughters. He previously served on Town Meeting and just re -joined last year. He is
currently a teacher, but was an attorney at his previous job. He went to Boston College Law
School, and currently serves in the Navy Reserves.
Mr, Belliveau stated that he has a very special interest in the function of government. He
likes to learn how it works, and teach others how it is supposed to work. He worked
extensively in legal analysis, which showed him the importance of word choice and attention
to detail, which he believes will help with reviewing proposed bylaws. He appreciates that
the Bylaw Committee's work is producing a product for consideration by the broader Town
Meeting body. With his experience as a teacher and serving in the Navy, he recognizes that
there is a time when he gets to offer his input, and times where his input is not warranted,
thus he has practice setting aside his personal beliefs, and stated that he can be
dispassionate, even with strong feelings, when he needs to be.
Jason Clarke:
Jason Clarke is an incumbent member in his fourth year on the Bylaw Committee. He
stated that he has gotten a better feel for it the longer he has been on, and it is something
he has an interest in. He has functioned as Chair at meetings Mr. Struble was unable to
attend. He understands the Bylaw Committee's approach is to advise, give an opinion on
how bylaws could be best worded, take the advice of Town Counsel, and hand their
recommendation to Town Meeting. He enjoys serving on the Bylaw Committee, believes the
current members are very diligent, and looks forward to continuing if reappointed.
Deliberate and Vote on Appointments:
Appointment Committee members discussed and agreed that Jason Clarke will provide
continuity and expertise on the Bylaw Committee, and that both Jennifer Hillery and Jared
Belliveau would be great additions to the Committee. They agreed that Ms. Hillery's
extensive volunteer efforts and Town Meeting experience warranted appointing her to a
three-year term, and Mr. Belliveau to the one-year term.
On a motion by Jeffrey Struble, seconded by Jackie McCarthy, the Bylaw
Committee Appointment Committee voted unanimously 3-0 to appoint Jared
Belliveau to the Bylaw Committee for a term beginning immediately, and expiring
June 30, 2024.
On a motion by Jackie McCarthy, seconded by Jeffrey Struble, the Bylaw
Committee Appointment Committee voted unanimously 3-0 to appoint Jason
Clarke to the Bylaw Committee for a term beginning July 1, 2023, and expiring
June 30, 2026.
On a motion by Jackie McCarthy, seconded by Jeffrey Struble, the Bylaw
Committee Appointment Committee voted unanimously 3-0 to appoint Jennifer
Hillery to the Bylaw Committee for a term beginning July 1, 2023, and expiring
June 30, 2026.
On a motion by Jeffrey Struble, seconded by Jackie McCarthy, the Bylaw
Committee Appointment Committee voted 3-0 to adjourn at 6:39 pm
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