Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Follow us here for up-to-the-minute coverage from Natick's Spring Town Meeting.
There's a lot of thank-yous. Even some smiles. They're moving along and people look happy. Josh Ostroff thanked Frank Foss, and Foss told him he was using up his time. Ostroff response: "I had no idea they were going to applaud that long." That drew some laughs. By the way, Foss thanked the pages and said what a great job they do. ________________ 9:34 p.m.: Chief Hicks spoke about an event coming up for Police Week on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. I think Town Meeting is over, but now they're still talking. Not sure what's going on. _______________ Article 42 rescinding fees at Community-Senior Center. Finance Committee does not have a recommendation. Man is speaking. He is on Fin Comm. By raising article we've brought issue in front of …
Friday, May 10, 2013
A high absentee rate and people leaving early forced last night's Town Meeting to end early because a quorum was not present.
There have been five nights of Town Meeting and it appears there is much still to come. The original estimate was that this Town Meeting would take eight nights. Attendance has noticeably been different each night, and with each night comes more and more people leaving early, some with frustration on their faces. As the night moves along some members seem to get frustrated with other members as they get off-topic or border along the scope of a motion, speaking about something that barely meets the requirement to be allowed. The last two nights have gotten to the point where more and more people are walking out as the discussions are still taking place. Last night's meeting appeared to have a lower attendance rate than previous nights. …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Follow us here for up-to-the-minute coverage from night 5 of Natick's Spring Town Meeting.
9:59 p.m.: Apologies for some technical difficulties. Apparently we were having some connectivity issues. We're back now and they are discussing Article 36 Amendment- some typographical changes to the Natick Charter. Interesting to note that I witnessed at least half a dozen people walk out and head for the doors. between 9:52 and 9:59. And of course one more gentleman just left. He did not look like he was coming back. It's 10:01 p.m. right now. Someone just made a point of order. It appears Town Meeting has stopped. I don't know why, but all is quiet except for some murmuring among the members. A quorum is not present- that means not enough people are left. They are forced to adjourn for the evening. Until next Tuesday... …
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Follow us here for up-to-the-minute coverage.
9:47 p.m.: A gentleman who is not a member (he spoke earlier as well) is speaking about the large number of positions being added to the town. He also noted that there haven't been full job descriptions for some of these new jobs. He said he has done research and looked at what other towns have done and he also asked the town government if they have made a full job description. He said he received a response and there were several duties mentioned, but it failed to fully list the ranking and it was also not a full job description, according to the member of the town who got back to him. Because of this, he said he opposes some of these positions because there have not been full job descriptions and we need to have a full opportunity to …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Follow us here for up-to-the-minute coverage.
10:06 p.m.: Mary Brown makes a motion to adjourn, and the night has come to an end. _____________ 9:59 p.m.: Josh Ostroff has made a motion to move Articles 29 and 30 to May 9, which is next Thursday. In debate, he said he's making a motion out of respect because several firefighters are here and that way they won't have to come on Tuesday, when there are several budget issues up for debate. Ostroff is afraid the firefighters would come and not have the opportunity for the issue related to them. A motion has been made to not meet on May 9 due to a holiday (didn't catch the full name- Day of Assension, I think). Meanwhile, Moderator Frank Foss wants to move Article 29 and 30 to May 14. This is approved by a vote. Apparently there was also …
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Town of Natick High School
15 West St, Natick, MA
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Monday, April 29, 2013
Union says keeping Strong Chief Status is better for the Natick Fire Department.
Town Meeting hasn't had much controversy through the first two nights, as nearly every vote has been an overwhelming majority. That may not be the case when Article 29 (and its companion, Article 30) reach the floor of the Natick High School auditorium. Article 29 seeks the vote to revoke the Strong Chief Status of the Natick Fire Chief that is under chapter 48, sections 42, 43 and 44 that establishes the fire department under the control of the Fire Chief. This law has been in effect in Natick since 1924. Article 30 seeks a vote to establish the fire department under the Board of Selectmen. "They make it sound like Chief [James] Sheridan can do whatever he wants now," firefighter Danny Hartwell, President of Local 1707, said. "But the …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Follow us here for up-to-the-minute coverage.
9:05 p.m.: Article 20, rescind authorized, unused debt. They are discussing $750,000 related to the Community-Senior Center. ______________________ Article 19 is town employee and personnel board accumulation and utilization of sick leave. Martha White and Finance Director Michael Young have been taking questions about this article. The member who has been asking questions wants a number- a dollar amount. Young says he has one for the way the law is written now, but he does not have the new number with him tonight. Foss looks incredulous at that answer by Young. The Town Meeting Rep. who asked the question has used up her three questions (I believe her name is Kathy, but didn't catch a last name), but Foss said he sees such an obvious …
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15 West St, Natick, MA
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Natick Patch will be live-blogging from Town Meeting right here.
Motion to adjourn is unanimous at 10:22 p.m. The first night of Town Meeting is in the books. ____________________ Article 13 began at 10:05 p.m. The first motion failed. It had to do with heating at Ben-Hem School. _____________________ 9:42 p.m.: Article 11, home rule petition to establish non-civil service Deputy Police Chief position (Board of Selectmen) Foss: "Everybody have time to read the motion? That's the scope of what we're gonna discuss." First question: why do we need to ask the state for permission to go do something in Natick by telling them what this isn't? I don't understand. Maybe someone else could enlighten me and others who are puzzled. Town Counsel, Mr Flynn: "As I understand the law, without this legislation, the …
This year's Spring Town Meeting begins tonight.
Natick's Annual Spring Town Meeting begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. This year it will be held in the auditorium at the new Natick High School. Natick Patch will be there covering Town Meeting every step of the way. We will be in the auditorium and updating information throughout each and every night. Town Meeting will act on 43 Articles this year. It is held on Tuesday and Thursday until the articles have all been acted upon. It is estimated that it will take eight meetings for it to be completed this year. Which of the 43 Articles do you feel are the most important to the town? Tell us in the comments section below.
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15 West St, Natick, MA
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Saturday, February 23, 2013
There's usually low turnout at open town meetings or few candidates for representative ones.
Would you give up a Saturday in March to vote on your town's budget? How about a few nights a week for a month? Open town meetings statewide typically draw a small percentage of the community's registered voters—a few hundred people at most. And many of them leave before the meeting ends. Representative town meetings usually have few who run for open slots. How can participation be improved? Tell us in the comments.
Larry
10:15 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The moderator did a much better job at keeping the meeting moving along. Many thanks for the focus and effort. more ›