HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-10 ad Hoc - Charter Review Committee MinutesPq�
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i Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Charter Review Committee
Date: 2024-06-10 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
RECEIVED
eY Tom Qe,r GP of 7,41 am, Sep 34. 3011
Chair Chris Haley, Vice Chair Phil Pacino, Jesse Arnold, Jonathan Barnes
(remote), Geoffrey Beckwith (remote), Chuck Robinson
Members - Not Present:
Alan Foulds, Andrew Grimes, William Brown
Others Present:
Town Clerk Laura Gemme, Town Manager Matt Kraunells (remote)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in-person in the Berger Conference Room of Town Hall and remotely
via Zoom.
Chair Chris Haley called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm and reviewed the evening's
agenda.
Public Comment
There was no comment from the public.
Brief Overview of Charter changes to date
The Committee briefly reviewed the suggested changes to the Charter to date and did not
have anything to add.
Review Charter changes submitted by Boards and Committees
Mr. Haley explained that Town Clerk Lauran Gemme solicited feedback from Boards and
Committees on the proposed Charter changes to date.
Section 4.11 for the Town Forest Committee was changed to be consistent with the
description of other Committees and removed the Select Board "shall determine the number
of members", and added that "three years terms so arranged that as near an equal number
of terms as possible shall expire each year'. The same changes were made to the Historical
Commission Section 4.8.
Adding the Permanent Building Committee to the Charter was discussed, but the Committee
agreed to leave it as a bylaw, as it would be easier to change if needed.
There were no additional comments or changes from the Board of Library Trustees, RMLD
Citizens Advisory Board, School Committee, Community Planning and Development
Commission, or Conservation Commission. Trails Committee is covered under Section 4.14.
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The Cultural Council questioned whether they could increase the number of members, and
whether that would be done through the Charter or bylaw. Ms. Gemme opined that the
Cultural Council does not belong in the Charter, as it would limit what they could do.
Committee members agreed.
The Committee discussed questions posed by the Finance Committee about defining what
employee means in Section 2.12.1, and whether to clarify "compensated" employee. Mr.
Haley stated that he will consult with Town Counsel on the matter.
Review Charter chances submitted by RMLD
Vice Chair Phil Pacino provided a memo prepared by legal counsel Duncan & Allen. He
noted that currently, RMLD does not follow what is in the Charter, rather it follows Mass
General Laws Chapter 164. The Committee reviewed the recommended changes in the
memo. The memo will be reviewed by Town Counsel for comment.
Public Outreach Forum Ideas. Participation and Schedullno
The Charter Review Committee will host a Public Forum to review the proposed changes to
the Charter for the public. In past forums, each member picked a section to review. This
forum will be hybrid and be recorded. The Committee will then hold a follow-up meeting to
address any concerns raised at the forum, and to review any items remaining from Town
Counsel. Anyone who Is unable to attend will be able to submit comments ahead of time to
be addressed at the forum. The Committee discussed and agreed to schedule the public
forum for Thursday, August 29th at 7:00 pm, assuming Town Counsel Is available.
Future Meeting Dates
The next meeting will be held on September 90 at 7:00 pm.
Future Agenda Items
The Committee will review the RMLD changes and legal opinions on various Items at their
next meeting.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Phil Pacino, seconded by Chuck Robinson, the Charter Review
Committee voted 6-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of January 29, 2024.
Roll call vote: Phil Pacino - Yes, Jesse Arnold - Yes, Chuck Robinson - Yes,
Geoffrey Beckwith - Yes, Jonathan Barnes - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.
On a motion by Phil Pacino, seconded by Chuck Robinson, the Charter Review
Committee voted 6-0-0 to adjourn at 8:50 pm.
Roll call vote: Phil Pacino - Yes, Jesse Arnold - Yes, Chuck Robinson - Yes,
Geoffrey Beckwith - Yes, Jonathan Barnes - Yes, Chris Haley - Yes.
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