HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-11 ad Hoc Charter Review Committee Minutes,
Charter Review Committee Meeting
March 11, 2004
The meeting convened at 7:37 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman George Hines, Members Maria
Silvaggi, Bill Brown, Glen Hartzler and Chuck Robinson. Also present were Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Town Counsel John Gannon (joined the meeting at
approximately 8:30 p.m.)
On motion by Robinson seconded by Brown, the Minutes of February 19, 2004 were
approved as submitted by a vote of 5-0-0
Bill Brown asked to revisit two issues in Article 2 in Section 2-11. He noted that we
should have some provisions for non-Town Meeting Members speaking. After much
discussion, the consensus was that this should be dealt with as part of a bylaw on Town
Meeting rule.
Bill Brown asked if Committees of Town Meeting were covered under the definition of
multiple member body, or were such committees exempt as Town Meeting Members are
from the conflict of interest law, etc. The Town Manager noted that he was sure that
committees of Town Meeting such as the previous School Building Committee were
multiple member bodies but he will check this with Town Counsel.
Bill Brown also suggested that we should have language that allows Town Meeting to
suspend the rules. We will also ask Town Counsel about this matter.
With regard to the amendments to Section 2-11, the suggestion was that the first
paragraph might be changed to read "subject to the conditions that may be determined
from time to time by Town Meeting Members, and a erson who is not a Town Meeting
Member may be allowed to speak at any representative Town Meeting but shall not
vote."
The Committee talked about having a lottery for ballot position, based on the recent
Town Meeting election. This might be done by adding a new paragraph under 8-2 that
would say something to the effect of "ballot position for incumbents and separately for
non-incumbents shall be determined by a lottery conducted by the Town Clerk." We will
check with Town Counsel on this matter.
The Committee went through Article 3. There was no change proposed in Article 3-1.
In Article 3-2, on motion by Brown seconded b Silvaggi, the Committee voted to
recommend_ deletion of Insurance Committee in the fourth paragraph The motion
was approved by a vote of 5-0-0
Charter Review Committee Meeting - March 11 2004 - Page 2
In Section 3-3, on motion by Brown seconded by Robinson, the Committee voted to
recommend that Paragraph a should read as follows "The School Committee shall
appoint a Superintendent of Schools, fix his compensation, define his duties make
rules governing his tenure of office and may discharge him." The motion was
approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
In Section 3-4, the Board of Library Trustees, on motion by SilvaLyLyi seconded b
Brown, the Committee voted to recommend the third paragraph to read as follows
"All money or that the Town may receive on behalf of the Library by gift
or bequest shall be administered by the Board in accordance with the provisions of
such gift or bequest." The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0
There was discussion in Section 3-7 about a term other than one year for the Moderator
but the consensus was to leave it as it is.
In Article 4, Appointed Boards and Committees, there were no changes proposed to
Section 1, CPDC or Section 2, Board of Health. There was discussion about changing
the term of Housing Authority members but no changes were proposed.
In Section 4-4, Board of Appeals, there was a great deal of discussion about a five
member Board of Appeals with two Associates versus the current three members with
three associates. With a three member Zoning Board of Appeals, variance decisions need
to be unanimous. With five members, decisions need to have at least four positive votes.
On motion by Brown seconded by Hines the Committee voted to recommend a
change of the Zoning Board of Appeals to five members with two Associates The
motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.
In Section 4-5, Cemetery Trustees, the consensus was to add language that exists in some
of the other boards "and such other powers and duties given to Board of Cemetery
Trustees under the Constitution and General Laws of the Commonwealth...
In Section 4-6, Council on Aging, there was discussion about changing this to an odd
number perhaps seven or nine members. The Town Manager noted that they have been
having quorum problems. The Advisory Committee will revisit this after discussion with
the existing Council on Aging.
In Section 4-7, Commissioners of Trust Funds on motion by Silvaggi seconded by
Brown, the Committee voted to recommend the change so that the first paragraph
shall read "there should be a Commissioner of Trust Funds consisting of five
members, three appointed by the Board of Selectmen for three year terms so
arranged that one term shall expire each year, one a member of the Board of
Selectmen appointed by the Board of Selectmen and one being the Treasurer-
Charter Review Committee Meeting - March 11, 2004 - Page 3
In Section 4-8, Conservation Commission, the Committee talked about the number of
members. We are having a hard time getting people to serve. On the other hand, there is
an advantage to having a large and more diverse group. No change is recommended.
In Section 4-9, Recreation Committee, no change is recommended.
In Section 4-10, the Committee's consensus was to eliminate reference to the Insurance
Committee. The Committee also wanted Town Counsel and the Town Manager to
review language to be added here which would provide that the Board of Selectmen may
appoint other standing committees which shall physically reside in the community, and
who will go through the full process of postings for appointment. Additionally, it would
establish the ability for elected bodies as outlined in Article 3 of the Charter to appoint ad
hoc committees for a term of no more than one year, with no residency restriction and
with the ability to appoint without posting.
The next Charter Review Committee meeting with be on March 25th
On motion by Hartzler seconded b Silvaggi, the Charter Review Committee voted
to adjourn their meeting of March 11, 2004 at 9.15 m by a vote of 5-0-0
e e submitted,
Secretary