BYLAW AMENDMENT / EXPANDING TOWN COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY TO ALL RESIDENTS

To see if the Town will vote to amend Title I, Article I, Section 9(B) (4) of the Town Bylaws to revise the eligibility requirements for town committees and commissions in the bylaws to include all town residents, regardless of voter status or age; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of Joshua Solomon and ten registered voters

VOTE: Favorable Action (5-0)
That the Town does and hereby amends Title L Article 1, Section 9(B)(4) of the Town's Bylaws

COMMENT: The Select Board voted unanimously to recommend favorable action on this Article, which, if approved, would amend the bylaw that establishes the default membership criteria for these bodies by changing the term “registered voters” to “residents.” The Board supports the proponent’s objective to promote inclusivity in Town boards, committees and commissions. Following advice from Town Counsel regarding the potential legal implications of expressly encompassing minors as eligible for membership on these bodies, the Board also recommends expressly establishing the age of majority as a threshold requirement for membership in tandem with the prior change, to mitigate risk to the Town. The Board notes that these bylaw changes do not preclude persons under the age of eighteen from serving on certain Town boards, committees and commissions if such membership is expressly permitted by the language of the governing bylaw and is not otherwise prohibited by state law.

That the Town does and hereby amends Title I, Article 1, Section 9(B)(4) of the Town's Bylaws so that the revised Title I, Article 1, Section 9(B)(4) reads:

Section 9. Appointment of Committees (ART. 14, ATM – 05/09/94)
A. Scope This section shall apply to all committees (as hereinafter defined) established by the Town Meeting, or under the bylaws, except to the extent that the vote establishing the same shall specify otherwise, or if the General Laws or Special Acts require a different method. It shall not be applicable to committees established prior to the effective date hereof, except to the extent that the Town Meeting may vote to make any one or more provisions hereof applicable to the same.
B. Definitions 

1. Appointing Authority - the person or entity having the power to appoint persons to committees. Unless otherwise specified, the Moderator shall be the appointing authority.
2. Committee - any committee, commission, board, task force or other such group however denominated.
3. Entity - a board, corporation, voluntary association, committee, commission, or other group. Unless the bylaws or a vote of such entity specify otherwise, an entity shall act by its chair, president, or other chief executive officer.
4. Members of a Committee - registered voters residents of the Town, but in any event who are legal age of majority in accordance with state law, unless the vote otherwise specifies. 
5. Nominating Authority - the person or entity having the power to nominate or designate one or more members of a committee. If no nominating authority is specified, the appointing authority shall also be the nominating authority.
6. Town Official – (ART. 10, ATM – 04/26/99) whenever a vote by the Town Meeting or a Bylaw shall provide for the appointment or nomination of an elected or appointed official of the Town, except a Town Meeting member, such designation shall be considered to mean and shall include the designee of such official, unless the vote or bylaw specifically provides otherwise.