During a recent series of articles in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, information about a newly elected official in our city was disclosed. This official stated that he has lived in the city since 2008. Residence has been in the West and then the Central and again in the West district. The Official noted that he [...]
I received the following letter in the mail today. It resolves and Open Meeting Law [OML] violation that I filed in March. Almost 5 months after the filing. When it is posted it can be read on line here, Attorney General 2011 Determinations.(see 2011-35) Though it takes no action beyond what the City Council has [...]
There has been much ado about Robert’s Rules here in Methuen. I am the cause of most of it. The City Council claims, in the procedures for that group, to follow the letter unless overridden by an existing procedure. This is often not the case. I have been accused of trying to slow government action [...]
Here is the two week nationwide search. The job has not even been voted upon for creation. Only the funding mechanism has been determined. Posted on the City website. July 1, 2011 Pursuant to the provisions of the Methuen Municipal Code, §6-24, the Mayor announces the following vacancy: Title of Position: Human Resource Director/Assistant City [...]
The following are from the Municipal Code of Methuen. Check for yourself. Article I. General Sec. 3-1. Definitions Sec. 3-2. Chief Administrator(A) Chief Executive (1) Duties (2) Powers Sec. 3-2A. Temporary Absence of Mayor Article II. Departments Sec. 3-3. Departmental organization Sec. 3-4. Oaths of office Sec. 3-5. Administrative policy and procedures Sec. 3-6. Reserved [...]
Listening to the radio (WCCM) recently. A sitting Councilor, who is running for re-election, was asked about a Committee that she claims to be the Chair of. I have asked for proof that the Committee was formed. Curtly, was told to speak with the Solicitor. I have searched for proof. None found. The Councilor has [...]
I must be clear. This was not my post. The original can be found here. NOOP.NL Designers will find that most organizations can be considerably improved just within the context of the bounded design. This is because the barriers to change are usually in the decision-makers’ own minds and in the organization itself. – Michael [...]
FOI stands for Freedom of Information. There are Federal and State statutes that cover this. At the Municipal level we tend to use the State code. I have a standard form that I created and use repeatedly. I thought it might be instructive to track a request through the process. So, here goes. Yesterday I [...]
Some meetings require a PUBLIC notice. From the Methuen City Charter; Section 5-2. Action on the Budget. (a) Public Hearing – The City Council shall publish in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the City the general summary of the proposed budget as submitted by the Mayor by a notice stating: (1) the [...]
The following comments were written by a citizen who twice went to the budget hearings to speak. Due to audio problems on his first attempt, he was unable to hear the Chair ask if anyone else wished to speak. The second attempt at expressing himself was rebuffed by the chair who brusquely stated that we [...]