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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2009 : 9:51:52 PM
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| Do you know if there will be an organized agenda for the Public Hearing or is it a free for all, where anyone can talk about anything in the charter? |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2009 : 10:12:05 PM
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See last Monday's agenda for the proposed format and structure of the public hearing. I heard that it passed pretty much intact. It looks like as long as you stay on the topic of the charter in some fashion, anything is pretty much fair game. With only one public hearing scheduled for right now, I don't see how they could limit it. Of course it didn't have to be set up that way. To fair though, they didn't have a lot of time to sort all of that out and meet the 45 day requirement.
It's also my understanding that they are having a short regular meeting starting at 5:45 PM and some slotted times for particular public officials to speak prior to the regular public hearing. All of that was in last Monday's agenda too but it is somewhat spread around through out the document. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2009 : 10:22:32 PM
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I was able to view the pages and they will speak before the 7:00PM Public Hearing.
6:00 Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Jr. , for up to ten minutes.
6:10 Superintendent of Schools Frederick F. Forestiere, for up to ten minutes.
6:20 City Clerk Michael Matarazzo, for up to five minutes.
6:25 Board of Alderman President L. Charles DiPerri, for up to five minutes.
6:30 Common Council President Millie J. Cardello, for up to five minutes.
6:35 School Committee Chairman Richard C. Baniewecz, for up to five minutes. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2009 : 10:37:28 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by tetris
Paul,
I don't see that as being necessary but that's just my opinion. The voters are going to be the one that have the final say on this one.
Tetris - that was my opinion on the matter. I do not feel a website is necessary. It takes 10 seconds to put up the agenda and minutes on the cities website. Charter does not need a fancy site which costs money. The commission is going to need money now, and for the next two years. $5,000.00 will not be enough so my point was they should not start needless spending right off.
As for the e-mail EverettCharter@comcast.net I really hope that every commission member receives that e-mail and not just one person.
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2009 : 6:04:15 PM
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I caught a few minutes of the tape on the Charter Review Public Meeting. I was only able to catch the last few speakers.
Can someone give me an update?
" Send in the Clowns " |
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imbroglio
Member
47 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2009 : 12:42:53 PM
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| Any information concerrning this would be greatly appreciated. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
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Fran
Senior Member
250 Posts |
 Posted - 01/06/2010 : 3:46:13 PM
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| I'm hearing that the Charter Commission will be asking the City Council for $25,000 so they can hire a consultant. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2010 : 4:24:58 PM
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Why do they need a consultant?
" Send in the Clowns " |
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2010 : 5:10:11 PM
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| Better yet....why do they need a $25,000 consultant? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2010 : 5:24:54 PM
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Maybe they should give consulting with each other a try before they start spending more taxpayers money. There are some bright people on that Commission, one would think they would be able to take a look at the Charter on their own. If they didn't believe they could do the job, then they should NOT have run for the Charter Commission.
" Send in the Clowns " |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2010 : 8:16:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Fran
I'm hearing that the Charter Commission will be asking the City Council for $25,000 so they can hire a consultant.
That's insane. Didn't we just elect nine members to research and suggest changes to an outdated charter? They also have the city solicitor if legal issues come up.
Geesh, they even have the help/advice from the state, and they also have other cities and towns that have recently updated their charter.
I can see the scenario now.......budget us 25K for a consultant and we will return what we do not use.
If that scenario happens, that's the biggest waste of money because all it will do is give the commission carte blanch to spend and have the consultant do all the work.
I'd give them a budget for a consultant of $2,500.00 MAX. Who is the deciding factor of "hiring" this particular consultant? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2010 : 12:00:10 AM
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I want to go on record as being against this.
" Send in the Clowns " |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2010 : 05:34:05 AM
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I sure hope this is just a crazy rumor! They weren't elected to choose someone to write a new charter, they're supposed to do it. If any of them can't handle the job, then they need to step down now and get people on the commission who can........... What the heck do they think they were elected to do?
Of course, they don't appear to be a cohesive group. They've got a lunatic heading it up and a few that shouldn't be allowed out alone so it's not really a surprise.
I hope those members who are capable of doing the job don't get discouraged. We may very well have to live with this charter for a lot longer than we should.............. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2010 : 11:17:24 AM
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From what I understand, there is at least some basis of truth in this rumor. The commission received two communications on their 11/30 meeting agenda from consultants "offering" their services. At their next meeting (Wednesday 01/13), they are having a consultant appear to see what they have to offer. This, as far as, I know is a freebie.
The person that they have coming in is Stephen McGoldrick. From what I understand, he is actually someone who used to work for the City of Everett and has continued to do work for various mayors of the city from time to time. From what I understand by doing a little research on him, he has somehow become an expert on charters and has been involved in the charter review process in a number of cities and towns.
I think that this is one of those unusual times that everybody who has responded so far is pretty much in agreement on an issue. For the most part, I don't believe that the commission needs to hire a consultant either, for much of the same reasons as have already been posted. One possible exception to that though, in my mind anyways, would be if the City Solicitor's office is unable to provide the commisssion the support they need. At least bodywise, that office would seem to be stretched pretty thin at this point compared to where it was before Jill Barringer was also made Purchasing Agent and Melissa Murphy moved to the Mayor's office. I don't think that the commission should require a ton of support from the solicitor's office but those issue that get referred there could be time-consuming. The other possible exception that I could see is in the section of the new charter that will deal with transitioning from the current charter to the new proposed charter. This section of the charter may require specialized knowledge and it may just be better to get the expertise to deal with those issues to ensure a smooth transition. Just my opinions though.
I understand that next Wednesday night, the commission is also going to begin debating the issues that will shape the direction of the new charter, starting with unicamel vs. bicamel form of government. Sounds like it should be a "can't miss" meeting. |
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Charter Review
