FITCHBURG — In an effort to clarify existing guidelines, the City Council on Tuesday approved several organizational and substantive changes to the rules governing council meetings, including limits to the number of times a councilor can speak during debates.
According to Councilor Anthony Zarrella, a majority of the changes “streamline” the rules by adding clarifying language, reorganizing sections in a logical way, and fixing clerical errors.
One of the few substantive changes creates a limit to the number of times a council member can speak before and during the discussion of an agenda item.
“This just clarifies that you can speak up to two times on pre-motion stuff and still have at least one shot at speaking on any given motion,” said Zarrella.
Several councilors suggested that the change would stifle debate and prevent thoughtful discussions on certain topics.
“This really concerns me because we’re limiting our options for discussion,” said Councilor Samantha Squailia. “It really encourages more grandstanding and long-winded statements than active discussion.”
Zarrella said the current rules only allow for two opportunities to speak on a matter anyway and added that unlimited debate could lead to never ending meetings.
Councilor Marcus DiNatale said he agreed with the limit on discussion before a motion is made but he’d like to speak his mind after one is made.
“When a motion is actually made, we only get one bite of the apple?” he asked. “I’ve never liked that myself.”
After a brief discussion, the council members voted to send the amendment back to the Ad Hoc Committee on Rules, which means the Council will continue operating as usual while it considers the rule change again.
Another change addresses issues that are sent to the Council’s various subcommittees.
The current rule says that if something is referred to a committee, members have to submit a report on the issue within two Council meetings or ask for more time. However, the rule never states how the Council should grant more time, said Zarrella.
“This is intended to clarify that,” he said. The change would allow the Council to grant additional time by a vote, or they could opt to vote on the issue without a committee recommendation.
Squailia said the change would allow the council to address “lost” or forgotten issues that are sitting with subcommittees. The change was approved unanimously by the Council.
One change, also designed to streamline meetings, would allow the Council President to call for “unanimous consent” on an issue rather than asking for a roll call vote. But, if any member objects, a roll call vote would be taken.
The approved changes would also allow the Council president to designate a parliamentarian, someone who is well-versed in the procedures and rules.
An interesting rule change, one which may rarely be used, would require the council to call for an “instant runoff vote” if a council seat needed to be filled.
Instant runoff voting refers to a system where voters, in this case the council members, rank the candidates in order of preference. The top two candidates would move on to the next “round” where a single winner would be selected based on overall preference.
In 2018, several residents applied for an At-Large City Council seat vacated by state Sen. Dean Tran.
According to Zarrella, it was difficult to select a winner because councilors changed their votes in response to what other people where voting, and the council nearly ended up with a tie.
“This attempts to streamline that,” he said.