Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
By-law munites Oct 10, 2024
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Municipal By-law Modernization Committee Minutes for October 10, 2024 Pequitside Tavern, 7:00 pm Members Present: George T. Comeau, Louis Jutras, Jen Kemalian, Mike Loughran, Paul McAuliffe, Gilda McGonagle, Susan Harrington Absent: William Kring, and Randy Scollins The meeting was called to order by the chair George Comeau at 7:00 pm. Mr. Comeau introduced the first agenda item as the approval / discussion on the minutes from the meeting of September 19, 2024. Ms. Harrington noted some clerical corrections but had no other comments and offered a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Loughran and the motion passed 5-0-1 as Ms. Harrington was not at the previous meeting and a video recording was not available for review. The Chair moved on to public comments and recognized that there was a member of the public present at the meeting, Mr. Jim Bove. Mr. Comeau as Mr. Bove if he had any comments to make and Mr. Bove mentioned that at this point he was there just to observe and learn. The next order of business was a follow up from our previous meeting on outreach to other communities. Ms. Kemalian reported back to the committee that she had reviewed various communities and did some research on any modernization committee. She found references to standing by-law review committees and governance committees but not exact references to a by-law modernization committee. Ms. Kemalian contacted several communities but, in her research, found out that many of these committees, with the exception of standing committees, were created years ago, are not currently meeting, and did not include municipal staff so when she tried to get some background information or contact details no one was able to provide such detail. Mr. Comeau noted that he did receive a name and contact information for Sharon. Ms. Kemalian also was able to receive a name for a committee member from Sharon but the two names were different. After this review Mr. Comeau provided the members with a list that he created which outlined various areas / departments that are served by the by-laws. He continued the conversation on this topic and referenced a recent e-mail from Mr. Scollins, who was not in attendance tonight, where Mr. Scollins stated that he reviewed the index of the 2023 by-laws and noted about 342 sections / subsections. He further noted that with this number of sections and committee members that if each member were to take an average number of items that each person Page | 1
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would have about 38 sections to review. Mr. Scollins provided a highlighted index document with areas that he would like to be the liaison / leader for. Mr. Comeau then provided some comments and context on each of the items that he listed on his handout. He provided some examples in areas like Town Meeting, Police and Fire, Public Works, water and Sewer Rates. Ms. McGonagle asked if, based on this discussion tonight, if we were abandoning our previous process and thoughts of following up with other communities and departments. Mr. Comeau noted that we will still conduct that outreach and research and also reminded the committee about the consultant approach. Mr. Jutras added to the conversation by noting that he felt that there would be a combination of processes that would be utilized in capturing feedback. Committee members would meet with various departments and committees; some during the day and some at our public meeting. Liaisons would compile questions and answers and report back to the full committee. If a consultant was hired then these working papers would help in creating a scope of service as well as become background material for any possible changes. Ms. McGonagle inquired about the creation of a template set of questions for these department / committee meetings. Ms. Harrington agreed with this approach. Mr. Comeau asked Mr. Loughran / Ms. Kemalian if there was an MMA list serve where we could submit a question for communities to respond if they have had a committee like this by-law modernization. Mr. Comeau and Mr. Loughran will craft an e-mail to send. The committee then discussed the option of segmenting up and assigning liaisons to the various areas. A discussion ensued and the following areas were assigned: Mr. McAuliffe – Police and Fire (Public Safety) Ms. Harrington – Town Clerk / Town Meeting Mr. Scollins – Financial items which he highlighted in his e-mail Ms. Kemalian – Building / Zoning / Permit Advisory Ms. McGonagle – Health Dept / Board of Health / Planning Mr. Comeau – Town Meeting Mr. Loughran – Water / Sewer / Public Works Mr. Jutras – Storm Water The chair noted that not every section was assigned as Mr. Kring was not in attendance tonight and did not have an option to weigh in on this topic. The main focus for everyone is to read the assigned sections and become familiar with the material so when we meet with the departments and committees you will have a good understanding. Mr. Comeau also noted that members should look at General Code / e-360 smartphone app where you can pick various Massachusetts communities and see the structure of their by-laws. The company website was previously provided by Ms. Jutras in a previous e-mail. Page | 2
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Once the assignment discussion was complete the chair noted that we will look to schedule the public listening session after January 2025. Ms. McGonagle revisited the topic of creating questions that the committee liaisons would ask of each department / committee and Mr. Comeau stated that yes this would be a task for the committee. After poling the members, the committee scheduled the next meeting for Thursday November 7 at 7 pm in the Tavern. Mr. Comeau made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Ms. Harrington and the motion was unanimously approved. The committee adjourned at 7:58 pm Respectfully submitted, _____________________________________ Louis Jutras, Clerk Page | 3