Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
By-law munites Nov 7, 2024
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Municipal By-law Modernization Committee Minutes for November 7, 2024 Pequitside Tavern, 7:00 pm Members Present: George T. Comeau, Louis Jutras, Jen Kemalian, William Kring, Randy Scollins, Gilda McGonagle, Susan Harrington Absent: Mike Loughran, Paul McAuliffe The meeting was called to order by the chair George Comeau at 7:00 pm. The chair moved to the first agenda item of the approval / discussion on the minutes from the meeting of October 10, 2024. No comments or corrections were discussed so Ms. McGonagle offered a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Harrington and the motion passed 7-0. The Chair opened the public comments section of the agenda and noted that there were no members of the public present at the meeting, The committee then moved on to the outreach section of the agenda and Mr. Comeau started by mentioning the list of questions that were circulated to the members for discussion. Ms. McGonagle asked if she could first provide some feedback and comments from the research that she did since the last meeting. The chair recognized Ms. McGonagle and she provided the committee members a few handouts that outlined a discussion she had with the Town of Middleboro, their implementation and use of General Code and the E360 platform. Middleboro was implemented in 2015, had one person leading the charge and took about 2 and a half years to complete. Middleboro was very happy with the staff at General Code and could not say enough about the process. Ms. McGonagle compiled Middleboro’s presentation material on their by-law codification process as she felt that it provided and answered many questions on how and why to engage in this endeavor. Various committee members commented on the research that Ms. McGonagle provided and felt that it was excellent reference material. The discussion continued between the members on the presented material and our next steps. Mr. Comeau asked Mr. Jutras if he had any comments since he prepared the list of questions that was circulated to the members which started this conversation. Mr. Jutras noted that Ms. McGonagle outlined several key points in her presentation and that the committee should reach out to General Code for a discussion. Mr. Kring agreed with this process as well. Mr. Scollins added that, during his tenure here, that he has mentioned E360 to the Town Clerk on various occasions. Page | 1
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A consensus was made that we would look to invite General Code and possible the Town Clerk to either our November 21 or December 5 meeting. Mr. Jutras will reach out to General Code and look to schedule that event. Having finished this discussion the committee returned to a review of the questions that were circulated to the members. Mr. Jutras read the questions aloud and commented that they were created in reference to items that were raised at our previous meetings. Overall the questions revolved around Board / Committee / Department interaction, use, knowledge of Town By-Laws that covered their respective area, information on other laws or statutes that cover their Board, Committee, or Department, areas that hinder their day to day work, or areas that should or could be added or removed. Mr. Comeau felt that this was a good starting point and referenced the committees request for a standard set of questions that we would use in discussion with any Board, Committee, or Department. Mr. Scollins commented that when he was reviewing areas of the by-law he found that he was writing down position titles or committee member names to determine who he would need to follow up with. Ms. Kemalian questions if departments would be able to answer all of these questions and if their feedback on a question like listing out other general laws, statutes, or policies would be too broad. Mr. Kring also noted that we might be able to gather input and other relevant questions if we can engage with General Code. Mr. Jutras commented that the last question that revolved around the other general laws, statutes, or policies was intended as more of a reference material gathering process than a full review of all things that would be proposed as additions to the By-laws. Mr. Comeau agreed and provided clarification on items such as Mass General Law vs. a By-law where a by-law is made by the local body to add or curtail control not listed elsewhere. Having completed the discussion on the submitted questions Mr. Comeau moved on to the next agenda item of Community outreach / Public listening sessions and noted that these are still on hold until 2025. Mr. Kring raised a question about the timeframe and cost of revamping the current By-laws into a platform like E360 and how that might impact the committees process. The committee members mentioned that we have a $22,000 budget at this time and that reworking the current format of the By-laws is something that needs to be done and it would not interfere with the overall task of presenting to Town Meeting any recommended changes. Mr. Comeau mentioned that there are many communities that have a standing By-Law Review Committee and although this current committee was tasked with a 2-year timeline it does not preclude us from extending or recommending the creation of a permanent committee. In closing Mr. Comeau reminded the members to review your assigned sections of the By-law and that we will be reaching out to the various Boards, Committees, and Departments in the future. Page | 2
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Ms. McGonagle noted that she did meet with the current Board of Health director Barbara Readon as Mr. Jutras made Ms. McGonagle aware that Ms. Readon was retiring soon. Ms. McGonagle noted that the conversation revealed a point that was made earlier in the conversation that the director didn’t interact with the Town By-laws often since there are other State Laws that outline the Boards powers. Ms. McGonagle will follow up with the new director when that person is available. Mr. Comeau offered a motion to adjourn. The motion made by Mr. Scollins, seconded by Ms. Kemalian and the motion was unanimously approved. The committee adjourned at 7:59 pm Respectfully submitted, _____________________________________ Louis Jutras, Clerk Page | 3