HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-30-MTCALEG
MTCA Legislative Committee
Monday July 30, 2001
The Victory Group Office
6 Beacon Street, Suite 200
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Present: Mary Lou Murzyn, Joyce A. Bradshaw, Randy Hanson, Judith L. St. Croix
(Massachusetts Town Clerks Association), Patrick J. Ward, Steve Roche (Lobbyist),
Mary Milham (Victory Group)
Absent: Elizabeth A. Carey, Paul Dawson, and Nancy J. Yendriga
Chairman Murzyn called the meeting to order at 10:35 AM.
Steve Roche updated the Committee on House 4385 that would all but eliminate the need
for the Street List. The need to maintain the Street List having been diligently fought for
is critical for School Committees, the Jury Commissioner, Public Safety, Grant Programs,
Veteran status (Adjutant General) and for planning purposes. Patrick Ward commented
this was a poorly drafted statute.
Steve updated Geoffrey Hall’s, House Chair for State Administration, concerns that there
was “too much” information made public. This Bill would, in effect, wipe out all the
above-mentioned critical needs for the street list. The necessity to look at “privacy”
issues has been brought forward by Jane Chew, Town Clerk of Burlington in her
proposed suggestions to restrict access. There is additional support to consider strongly
restricting access. This is evident in Public Safety Personnel, Battered Women issues,
Public Records and address confidentiality programs. Media, marketers or other groups
looking for total information may oppose this restriction. The sale of voter and census
lists makes many residents reluctant to provide required information and inhibits
response. Other concerns brought forward were collecting but not making information
public, personal safety issues (age and sex) identifying people at risk, private
investigators, law enforcement, and interdepartmental Town needs for information.
Michael Sullivan, Director of Campaign and Political Finance presented Clean Election
forms and discussed implementation to the Committee. The qualifying period will be
August 1, 2001 and will end on the last day to file papers with the Secretary of the
Commonwealth. The cards to be used were reviewed. The role of the Clerks will be to
verify qualifying contributions and they can also sign for the Board of Registrars. Clerks
should keep track of filings and use the same controls as with nomination papers.
Director Sullivan will continue to monitor and review the ambiguous process and conduct
a workshop at the Fall Conference in Jiminy Peak. Chairman Murzyn questioned the
local mandate issue and potential reimbursement. This is under review. The use of the
CVR in the certification process is also under consideration. The Clerks will be updated
of developments and procedures through the CVR. A hearing on September 5, 2001 will
be held with permanent regulations anticipated by January 2002.
Pat Ward discussed S342 and S343 that require ADA accessible ballots for sight-
impaired voters. The Secretary’s office suggested an “audio” template for use with
ACCUVOTE. A establishment of a working committee to address all such issues was
recommended.
Margaret Nartowicz, Amherst Town Clerk, requested comment about Chapter 39 Section
10 – regarding increasing the number of signatures required to insert articles into town
Meeting warrants.
UPON MOTION MADE BY JOYCE BRADSHAW, SECONDED BY CHAIR
MURZYN it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to recommend no support and refer this
type of issue to the Massachusetts Municipal Association or similar organization.
Other recommendations were:
Lawrence R. Pizer to eliminate gender on the Street List information.
Patrick Ward wanted to eliminate of check out lists a polls considered.
H430 regarding clerks signing on behalf of Registrars – Michelle
Tassinari has some issues with this – Patrick Ward will call Michelle and
get back to Steve
UPON MOTION OF Randy Hanson, SECOND BY Chair Murzyn it was voted to have
Patrick Ward and Joyce Bradshaw meet with Jane Chew from Burlington to further study
the street list issue and present a report to the E-Board at the Fall Conference.
Issues that need to be considered are:
Information collection – What is appropriate?
Limiting Access to information – municipal use, publishing restrictions
Privacy issues, identity theft
Inactive Voters – counting in totals
E-Vitals – future of the bill
Follow-up by Randy Hanson on “Unenrolled Bill”
nd
Committee Issues – Nancy Yendriga resignation, 2 Vice President of
Massachusetts Town Clerk’s Association in an advisory position, addition
of member as a working person on the Board
Renewal of lobbyists contract – Request appointment by President Pizer to
form a sub-committee to accomplish process
The Meeting adjourned to the State House for the Public Hearing on H 4385.
Chairman Hall recommended moving the bill to study for further review with
input from the City and Town Clerks. The hearing included discussion from
Michael Morasco (Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth) regarding
confidential voters, veteran’s status and information, and census issues.
Representative O’Brien also recommended a study committee to include the
Massachusetts Town Clerk’s Association to include 911, the needs of the Jury
Commissioner, schools, and also veterans.
Chairman Murzyn testified as to the necessity for further study and the request to
work with MTCA on all the discussed issues and any additional brought forward
through the Association and members.
H4385 was moved to “Study” and the hearing closed.
The meeting resumed at 6 Beacon Street at 1:30PM. Suggestions to be brought
forward to the E-Board included the First Vice-President in an advisory role and
having seven voting members and two associate members.
UPON MOTION of Joyce Bradshaw, Second by Chair Murzyn to have Judy St.
Croix review all bylaws and report back any bylaw changes that would be
necessary. Judy will bring changes to the August 7, 2001 E-Board Meeting.
Theodora K. Eaton, Town Clerk of Needham and Representative Lida E.Harkins
asked delegates at the national level if passage of this bill would make a
difference in the composition of party members. Steve will pursue additional
study regarding the “Unenrolled Bill” and Chris will do a memo to and contact
Representative Harkins.
UPON MOTION OF Chair Murzyn, Second By Joyce Bradshaw THE MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 2:00PM. The next meeting will be held in early October.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce A. Bradshaw, Secretary