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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-14 Bylaw Committee MinutesBYLAW COMMITTEE MINUTES #155 June 14, 1989 Members present: Ed Murphy, George Theophanis, Nils Nordberg and Dolores Carroll. 7:40 Chairman Murphy called the meeting to order in the conference room of the Reading Public Library. Minutes #154were read and accepted as amended (changes in italic print). 1.7.1 Inhabitant: A person who has established permanent residence in the Town. 1.7.10 Official Body: Any Town officer, board, committee, commission, council or authority authorized by the charter or by a bylaw. 1.7.11 He, His, Himself: Wherever in these Bylaws the word "he" appears, this shall also mean "she," "his" shall also mean "her" and "himself" shall also mean "herself." Chairman Murphy read a letter from Town Clerk Doris Fantasia to Henry Higgott, Chairman of the Rules Committee, suggesting changing the annual precinct meeting from the first session of the Annual Town Meeting, to the second session, so that members could be reminded of the upcoming meeting. Bylaw Committee members disagreed and felt the meeting should not be changed. George Theophanis gave a brief overview of the recent Rules Committee meeting: • Reviewed rules - further analysis will follow to see what changes should be made. Bylaw Committee will be invited to attend. • Discussed budget process. • Need to devise method to get members to town meetings on time. • Reviewed draft of proposed bylaw prohibiting meetings during town meetings and felt that since it hadn't been a problem in the past, other than the recent school committee meeting, it wasn't necessary. 0 To prepare an agenda so that business can be taken up in an orderly fashion. Minutes of this meeting (Rules Committee) will be made available by George Theophanis so that discussion can continue at our next meeting. Nils Nordberg indicated that the Board of Assessors would request a change in the Charter which would give them full responsibility for appointing their staff. Nils will prepare the question to be placed on the spring ballot. Chairman Murphy commented on his recent research of the history of the bylaws in the Town Clerk's office, as per Ben Nichols' instructional motion to the Bylaw Committee at the Subsequent Town Meting of November, 1988. Following a review of the proposed bylaw prohibiting appointed or elected boards, committees and commissions from conducting meetings during town meetings, the committee agreed to the following changes: First sentence, third line down - "in" used in place of during. Third sentence, twelfth line down - after the word motion insert, "requesting an exemption from this bylaw by. " Fourth sentence - add "39" after the word Chapter and "23B" after the word Section. George Theophanis moved that the committee present this proposed bylaw draft to town counsel and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner for their study and then review it at a future date, prior to submitting as a warrant article. Committee voted 4-0-0 in favor. Discussion on proposed budget article postponed until next meeting as Phil Pacino would like input. 9:23 Committee adjourned to meet on Wednesday, July 19, 1989. Respectfully submitted, Dolores S. Carroll Article 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.1 Purpose The purpose of these bylaws is to implement the provisions of the Reading Home Rule Charter and establish rules conducive to the welfare of the Town of Reading and the convenience of its inhabitants, the orderly direction and management of its affairs and the preserving of peace and good order within its limits. 1.7 Definitions 1.7.1 Inhibant: A person who has established permanent residence in the Town. 1.7.2 Charter: Reading Home Rule Charter adopted March 24, 1986 and any amendments thereto made through any of the methods provided under Article LXXXIX of the amendments to the state constitution. 1.7 Definitions 1.7.1 Inhibant: A person who has established permanent residence in the Town. 1.7.2 Charter: Reading Home Rule Charter adopted March 24, 1986 and any amendments thereto made through any of the methods provided under Article LXXXIX of the amendments to the state constitution. Article 2 TOWN MEETINGS 2.1 General 2.1.1 The Annual Town Meeting shall be held on the third Monday preceding the second Monday in April of each year for the election of officers and for such other matters as required by law to be determined by ballot. 2.2 Conduct of Town Meeting 2.2.1 In the conduct of all Town Meetings, the following rules shall be observed: Rule 1: A majority of the Town Meeting Members shall constitute a quorum for doing business. Rule 2 All articles on the Warrant shall be taken up in the order of their arrangement in the Warrant unless otherwise decided by a majority vote of the Members present and voting.