Article 16/Bylaw amendment – Code of Conduct
The BoS recommended adopting a resolution that Town Meeting endorse the currently-existing state statute concerning the right of speakers to be heard and the power of the Moderator to preserve order.
Mr. Auster, the lead proponent, recapped the heckling incident at the end of last year’s meeting and how he felt it impinged on Town Meeting’s rights.
Ms. Fiore discussed how police used to man every door in the hall, sometimes being used by the then-Moderator to prevent people from leaving early. She recounted how Mr. McCabe and the Acting Moderator attempted to throw each other out of the hall when they were each Moderator.
Mr. Lavalle asked why the Acting Moderator (who was Moderator last year) didn’t throw the heckler out. The Acting Moderator replied that he was hoping the heckler would cease after being admonished. Mr. Lavalle says the Moderator needs to be stricter.
Mr. Tully got confused between the warrant article (which is captioned as a bylaw amendment) and the actual proposed vote of the BoS, which was a resolution. The Acting Moderator pointed this distinction out and reminded the Meeting we vote on motions, not on articles.
Mr. Berkowitz moved the previous question, which carried.
The BoS recommendation was approved on a voice vote.