Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
By-law minutes October 27, 2025
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Municipal By-law Modernization Committee Minutes for October 27, 2025 Aldrich Meeting Room, Library 7:00 pm Members Present: George T. Comeau, Randy Scollins, Susan Harrington, Larry Overlan, and Louis Jutras Absent: Jen Kemalian, William Quinn, Paul McAuliffe, William Kring The meeting was called to order by the Chair George Comeau at 7:00 pm. Mr. Comeau asked the members if they had any comments on the draft minutes and seeing that there were none he entertained a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the September 29, 2025 session. The motion to approve was offered by Dr. Harrington and seconded by Mr. Overlan. The minutes were unanimously approved 5-0. The chair then offered some comments on our previous meeting and opened the floor to any members of the public that wanted to speak relative to Annual Town Meeting process, bylaw, and comments made at the previous meeting. Mr. Karon noted that the Town has submitted a Home Rule Petition to move our general election to November, and he felt that if that happened then we should look to elect a moderator at the ballot. Comments were made that electing a moderator at the ballot would remove any polarizing view that residents might have about a political party presenting a candidate for election on the floor of Town Meeting. Mr. Karon also commented on the reconsideration process where he feels that if a motion to reconsider was presented that it should be considered and voted on during the session in which it was brought up. This vote would determine if the article would be reconsidered or not and if the vote for reconsideration was successful then the 36-hour rule would apply and the merits of the article would be discussed at a subsequent meeting. He also favored the option to allow electronic voting and believes that it would shorten the time needed to receive an accurate count. Ms. Boyden was also in attendance. She also noted that she believes that electing a moderator at the ballot should be the way to go as it may gain participation from independent voters. She is also in favor of allowing electronic voting at Town Meeting. Mr. Comeau provided some general comments on the topics that were discussed tonight and thanks the parties that provided input. Mr. Overlan posed a question that if we were to elect a moderator at the ballot if it should be non-partisan or not. Ms. Boyden felt that it should be non-partisan. Page | 1
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The group continued the conversation and discussed various topics like how the Blue Hills Regional representative is listed on a ballot, compensation for elected officials, any independent candidates that have been moderators in the past, and the general process that the Town Committees follow when voting for a candidate for Town Moderator. After the discussion was completed Mr. Comeau offered that the committee focus on 4 topics for our next set of meetings. The list includes Electronic Voting, Electing a Moderator, term length for the moderator, and possibly the Reconsideration Process. Mr. Comeau will look to draft some options that can be circulated and discussed at our next meeting. It was also noted that an article needs to be prepared for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting to continue the committee or make it a standing committee. Mr. Overlan asked about the review process once we receive the material from General Code. It was noted that committee members were assigned as liaisons to various sections of the bylaw and that the committee members would reach out and review any questions or comments that were raised by General Code as well as seek input on any other requested changes. Mr. Overlan felt that this was not an effective way to handle this. Other committee members disagreed and in the end it was noted that we will see what we receive back from General Code for questions or concerns and go from there. The committee then discussed the next meeting date. December 1, 2025 at 7 pm at the Pequitside Taven was selected. Mr. Jutras will follow up with General Code to see if they can attend that meeting and provide an update on the project. No other members had any additional items to discuss so the chair entertained a motion to adjourn at 7:50 pm. The motion was made by Mr. Scollins, seconded by Mr. Overlan and the motion was unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________________ Louis Jutras Page | 2