HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Commissioner Minutes for May 4, 2010 1Commissioners:
Mark S. Sideris,
Chair
Stephen P. Corbett
Michael Donham
John A. Donohue
Dennis J. Duff
Susan G. Falkoff
Anthony Palomba
Rhiana Kohl
Angeline B. Kounelis
Cecilia Lenk
Pamela Piantedosi
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.
John J. Lawn, Jr.
David Siegel
Athelia Tilson
Charter Commission
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
DRAFT MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
RICHARD E. MASTRANGELO CHAMBER
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
1. ROLL CALL: The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, in the
Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber. Present for the meeting
were Commissioners: Stephen P. Corbett, Michael Donham, John A
Donohue, Dennis J. Duff, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Rhiana
Kohl, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Pamela Piantedosi, Vincent
J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., David Siegel, Athelia Tilson and
Chair Mark S. Sideris.
2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: April 20th. After a brief discussion on
what procedures the Commission will follow with respect to
amendments to the minutes, Commissioner Donham moved to adopt
the procedures of the Town Council, seconded by Commissioner Lenk
and adopted by voice vote. The Chair indicated that the draft minutes
for April 20th will be taken up at the next regular meeting.
3. MATTERS OF BUSINESS:
Informational Presentation by Robert T. Markel of Mass Municipal
Association: Mr. Markel, a former political science professor at
Westfield State College is a former councilor and mayor; and
currently serves as manager for the town of Ipswich. He indicated
that he does not have the normal bias that comes with most
managers, due to his years serving as an elected official. With
respect to the manager/council form of government, he noted that
the best manager's are those who have the skill set to manage
staff and deal with the citizenry. The manager who is appointed
can come in and be far more neutral in so far as the decisions and
appointments he makes not having grown up in the town and not
having to carry the burden of personal friendships. He indicated
that all politics are personal and managers have less pressure in
that area.
Regarding elected officials whether mayor or council; Mr. Markel
noted that from his experience the worst of all worlds are two year
term elected positions as most problems take a sustained effort to
solve; the two term office doesn't allow for that. He further noted
that often the elected official must make unpopular decisions that
are necessary and if you are a two term elected official, making
unpopular decisions that are good decisions however unpopular,
are difficult as the two year official is constantly in a campaign
mode. He also noted that the intense competition of a mayor and a
council form of government is an enormous burden and may
distract the mayor or elected officials from doing what must be
done for its people. Mr. Markel stated that if Watertown is
seriously considering a mayor/council form of government, he
favors a four year term over the two year term so that officials are
not always engaged in politics.
Regarding the appointment process, Mr. Markel stated that the
system that gives the manager appointing authority allows the
manager to manage his staff, without that, the manager cannot be
held accountable. Government has become much more complex,
he noted, with more services, and with towns struggling financially
to prevent layoffs, service cuts, etc and under pressure from
citizens to expand services even more. Financial management is
complex, the manager or mayor needs the skill to manage
effectively especially on the financial side. An elected mayor will
need a longer learning curve, which is a substantial down side.
As to forms of governments, Mr. Markel indicated that the pattern in
eastern Massachusetts is to have a stronger manager/council form
of government; with western Massachusetts having mayor/council
form of governments. The worst of all possible worlds, he noted, is
the town administrator. With town administrators, you expect them
to manage, but you don't give them the power to manage, as they
have no appointment or dismissal authority.
Lastly and in regard to citizen representation, Mr. Markel stated that
that is best achieved in the legislative body, from the council. You
need a balance between representing what the people want and
what is best for the community.
A question and answer forum followed Mr. Markel's presentation.
a) Discussion and vote on dissemination of the final revision of a one -
page informational flyer. The Chair reviewed the flyer noting
additional revisions were incorporated into the document tonight
and handed out this evening to the commission members. The
Chair stated that he will review the revisions and make a
determination on the final document.
Regarding other housekeeping matters; Commissioner Lenk
reviewed the Charter Commission's new website. The website will
be finalized and documents will be posted as soon as possible.
The Chair indicated that there will be no Charter Commission
meeting on June 1st due to budget hearings. There will be a brief
discussion on the Commission's summer schedule at the next
meeting.
Also on May 18th a presentation by a supporter of the
manager/council form of government will take place as well as
discussion on Articles 5 and 6. Commissioners will review the
articles and prepare comments. On June 15th, a presentation by a
non supporter of the manager/council form of government will take
place as well as discussion on Article 2.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before
the Charter Commission, Commissioner Duff moved to adjourn
the meeting at 8:45 pm, seconded by Commission Palomba and
adopted by unanimous voice vote.
For a complete transcript of the meeting, a DVD is available upon
request.