HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-01-04 WCR Outreach Minutes1
Subcommittee Members:
Attendees:
Communications Subcommittee
Watertown Charter Review Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 04,2021
Marcia Ciro, Chair; Anne Fitzpatrick; Councilor John Gannon; Leo
Martin
Elodia Thomas
The ZOOM meeting was called to order with a roll call vote at 6:01 PM.
1. Minutes for the December 11, 2020 Subcommittee Meeting — The meeting minutes were
approved by a roll call vote. Councilor Gannon made the motion to approve the minutes and
the motion was seconded by Anne Fitzpatrick.
2. Discuss content and design for:
A. Website — Ms. Ciro described the updates that she worked on with Chris McClure.
Discussion included the Town's Organization Chart that she assembled with the help of
a number of people and how it should be accessed on the website. It was suggested that
is be on the initial page as you scroll down and if "clicked" on you would be directed to
an enlarged PDF file. Ms. Ciro indicated that currently there are a number of "anchor
links" that direct the reader to a page with more information on that topic. She
mentioned that the next step would be to add a "back to the top" button to get you back
to where you started. She will work with Mr. McClure on that. Councilor Gannon
indicated that there were a number of places where the Charter Review Committee was
called the Charter Review Commission and suggested that be changed. All agreed with
the change and also removing he link to an old 1980 document. Councilor Gannon also
suggested adding the years (i.e. 2020, 2021, etc.) to the documents provided on the
website. Again, all agreed that the items should include a date when they were added to
the website and provide a way that they could be more easily found. There also was a
discussion with regard to a community forum and a polling questionnaire on the
website. Ms. Ciro indicated that Mr. McClure was investigating software options. Ms.
Fitzpatrick offered kudos to Ms. Ciro on the website design changes, all agreed.
B. Flyer — Councilor Gannon indicated that he was not able to find an electronic version of
the flyer that he was looking for and is in the process of looking for a hard copy. There
was a brief discussion with regard to the flyers and it was indicated that they could be
based on the public services announcement banners that Ms. Ciro developed (see Item
2.C). Councilor Gannon talked about the distribution and timing of the flyers and
suggested a mid -February timeframe when the forum maybe on the website. Ms. Ciro
agreed with the coordination with the website, but thought that the website forum may
be available by the end of January. Councilor Gannon will investigate the mechanism
to get a flyer distributed.
C. Cable TV banners/ public service announcements — Ms. Ciro showed examples of
banners for the Watertown Cable TV, she had prepared a number of different options.
Communication Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Page 2
January 4, 2021
She indicated that if we agreed on a format the theme could be carried forward on the
sandwich boards and other announcements. The group discussed the options and the
amount of text on the banner, all agreed on the legal pad style. Ms. Fitzpatrick indicated
that in her discussions with Watertown Cable TV, you could have as many as you
would like on the three different channels. It was determined that two would be
submitted, the one with the dates and times already done by Ms. Ciro and a second that
indicates "Watertown Charter Review Needs You!" with a reference to the town
website. Ms. Fitzpatrick asked if a different font could be used and Ms. Ciro will
investigate further. Ms. Ciro will do two cards for tomorrow's meeting of the full
committee.
Ms. Ciro will also draft the sandwich boards based on the banners agreed to. Ms.
Fitzpatrick indicated the need to emphasize that the meetings are virtual.
3. Strategic plan for outreach and distribution — Ms. Ciro indicated the need for getting the
notice out on social media. There are options with regard to the Town's social media pages
that Mr. McClure is expanding. Ms. Ciro will get the banners to Mr. McClure. She will also
add to Next Door Watertown. Councilor Gannon will investigate other Facebook avenues.
Ms. Fitzpatrick also mentioned an interview on cable TV. There was a question as to who
would be the spokesperson, that group thought that the full committee should have input on
this issue. Ms. Fitzpatrick mentioned that due to Covid the interviews were via Zoom and
more than one person could be included. She thought the interview would be better if it was
done sooner rather than wait.
Also suggested getting our meetings on the electronic bulletin board at town hall.
There was a discussion on paying for a banner advertisement on Charlie Brietrose's website.
It was felt that this was an avenue to consider and Ms. Ciro will speak with Mr. Brietrose
about a public service announcement as well as placing an advertisement banner.
There was a brief discussion of Watertown Forward's website and having a link provided on
the town's website. Ms. Ciro indicated that she would bring that up with Mr. McClure.
4. Next Meeting was scheduled for January 14th at 5:00 PM
Adjournment was at 7:32 via a roll call vote.
Action Items:
A. Finalize the public service announcements and present to the full committee — Ciro.
B. Work on the revisions to the town website with Mr. McClure and adding our minutes -
Ciro.
C. Investigate options for distribution of the flyers — Councilor Gannon
D. Sandwich board graphics based on public service announcements — Ciro
E. Investigate both public service announcements and advertisements on Watertown
News website - Fitzpatrick
F. Determine who would be spokesman for the committee for an interview on the
Watertown Cable TV — question to the full committee.
Minutes by Leo Martin