Published in the June 14, 2018 edition
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — About 100 fewer voters attended the second session of the annual June Town Meeting last Thursday and wrapped up the action on the final 11 warrant articles in about two hours.
While voters the previous Monday were in the mood for change, including approving changing the name of the “Board of Selectmen” to the gender neutral “Select Board,” voters on Thursday were not as enthusiastic about a proposal to change the name of the “Town Administrator” to the “Town Manager.”
But they were in favor of changing the dates that are available to the town on which to hold both of its annual Town Meetings in June and October to any available date that does not conflict with a civic or religious holiday.
They also voted to approve the licensing of dog kennels in the town’s three business districts and to approve a $10,000 appropriation to fund a stormwater impact study to potentially upgrade Swan Pond Road from gravel to pavement. This is the first step necessary in the process of the town partnering with the residents of this private road to share in the expenses of the upgrade. This study is required because this section of Swan Pond Road abuts the pond which is a drinking water reservoir for the town of Danvers.
What’s in a name?
Current Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto recused himself from the Performing Arts Center during the discussion on Article 30, which was the first warrant article to be discussed, so as not to hinder any debate.
Selectmen Chairman Mike Prisco explained that the change was proposed because the duties of the T.A. under the town’s charter are more closely aligned with a managerial role than an administrative role. Prisco stressed that changing the name would not result in changing any of the T.A.’s duties and responsibilities.
The board had recommended this change on a 3-2 vote with Selectmen Steve O’Leary and Bob Mauceri opposed.
O’Leary re-stated his opposition, explaining that he did not believe it was necessary to make such a change. He stated when the Town Charter was adopted, it was crafted as a very strong Town Administrator-based form of government with the duties of the T.A. clearly defined. “The Town Administrator does all the hiring and firing and signs all contracts,” O’Leary said. “The Board of Selectmen chooses the Town Administrator and Town Counsel.”
Gus Lamont, 272 Park St., was opposed to the change, especially since the duties would not be changed, and he was opposed to making changes to the Town Charter without going through a charter review committee. Town Counsel Darren Klein explained that there are two ways to make changes to a Town Charter, either through a charter review committee or by home rule petition to the state legislature.
The voice vote on the article was so close that Town Moderator John Murphy called for a hand count. It failed, 31-22. Article 31 was passed over as it was unnecessary after Article 30 failed.
Article 32: The home rule petition to change the date of Town Meeting was requested in order to have more flexibility with setting the meeting dates and potentially increase participation.
Under the change, the Board of Selectmen would still have to hold a public hearing by March 31 of each year to set the Town Meeting dates for both June and October but would no longer be subject to the pattern of first available Monday followed by the first available Thursday then the first available Monday, and so on, when choosing the available dates.
The voters also approved a quorum change related to the date change for Town Meeting. It was explained that an annual Town Meeting held on a day other than Monday or Thursday would be considered a “special Town Meeting.” And Special Town Meetings are subject to the minimum quorum rule of 150 registered voters while annual Town Meetings are not subject to any quorum.
It was further explained that when the town has a need to call for a truly “special” Town Meeting to take action on any other matter that may come up during the year, the 150-voter quorum would still apply.
