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 [...]
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 [...]
Whatever happened? Did you notice that we no longer get an Annual Report. I checked and we got them through the Pollard Administration. Then they ceased. The Municipal Code has the following statement; A. Chief Executive The Chief Administrator shall be the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City government, who shall enforce the [...]
I am back proposing new City Council Rule changes. Council does not follow the rules but we should at least correct them so, one day, we will be able to enforce and they will be useable. The following is a proposed change; METHUEN CITY COUNCIL RULES AND PROCEDURES Amended February 2008 RULE II – AGENDA [...]
The following is from the City of Methuen website. It is listed under the Solicitor tab. THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS 2000 . [Use Caution-May not be up to date] Also, here. Section 2.24. Department of Law A. The Department of Law shall consist of the City Solicitor who shall, in accordance with Chapter [...]