The primary topic of discussion was the policy draft concerning the control and regulation of public ways, which had undergone changes following a review with Attorney Lauren Goldberg from KP Law. The refined draft eliminated the board of license commissioners from most of its stipulations, except for the delegation of authority. This change was prompted by the board’s history of infrequent reporting on lunch cart issues, which led the committee to view regular reports as unnecessary.

The committee also debated the necessity of public hearings, with Attorney Goldberg advising that no additional notice or publication is required unless mandated by statute. The chair highlighted that current practices, such as those of the finance committee, already include public hearings in meeting agendas, which was deemed sufficient to meet notification obligations. This approach was intended to streamline the process and alleviate the burden of additional reporting requirements.

As the draft was reviewed, committee members proposed various grammatical corrections and structural changes to enhance clarity. Council Ryan specifically pointed out the rationale for removing references to the board of license commissioners from a particular section, emphasizing that it should solely apply to the Transportation Parking Commission (TPC).

The committee engaged in a discussion about the notice requirements for public hearings. A proposal to eliminate additional notice requirements beyond the customary 48-hour agenda notice was considered. The committee recommended simplifying the policy to state that the TPC shall hold a public hearing only if required by law, regulation, or contract. This was aligned with advice from Attorney Goldberg and aimed to reflect typical practices at the council level.

The topic of the Board of Licensed Commissioners’ reporting practices was a focus. Concerns were raised about the lack of regular reporting to the town council, specifically regarding new business activities such as lunch carts. It was noted that the board is only required to submit an annual report, which many deemed insufficient for keeping the council informed of developments. Suggestions were made for the board to provide more frequent updates, perhaps notifying the council when specific actions are taken. However, there was hesitation, as such changes would require broader committee support.

A motion was proposed to involve the Town Manager in reporting actions taken about lunch carts, but it faced challenges due to a lack of consensus. The discussion pointed to an ongoing tension between the need for sufficient oversight and the desire to streamline administrative processes. The committee ultimately decided to move on from this issue due to time constraints.

Further revisions to the town’s policies included changes to the language regarding public meetings by the TPC, which would now involve holding public meetings on each request rather than public hearings. There was consensus that notifying residents or property owners was unnecessary, as it would be burdensome.

The meeting concluded with discussions on utility structure hearings, where it was clarified that the council retains authority over public hearings and authorizations involving utility structures. Terminology consistent with state statutes was emphasized, ensuring alignment with legal language, even though terms like “pole hearings” are commonly recognized but not officially used in state law.