[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6299851,"mediaKeyId","2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3","parentId",2495143,"title","Committee clarifies rule ambiguity on special-permit vote thresholds; removes solicitor ordinance from committee","audioSeconds",1340,"startMs",1264000,"endMs",2604000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3&start=1264&end=2604","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3/thumbnail_1264000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299851/Haverhill-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-clarifies-rule-ambiguity-on-special-permit-vote-thresholds-removes-solicitor-ordinance-from-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299851-d5db247373264879f60ede40638fa1a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206953&Signature=fPtTVWoq6fFQl7MOD5H4fZr9-Czrf5-nEMKrycs0s2ttTM0X7HXMDObdpcVzRAQ~~Z-hloR-vFbBeFucmyjTijcoUqgr0bwyHqtLYUHN9mkK18lgFSk0sJT8zGK5tBxOzt77cBZkA~dzOGZHGlgXP1fudXNmIvsX-tEsjzNzOVu80kKFjpbMXIGZelbTYpWxNSS9TD-mcdvQYAPb54S32VpB-JnjY2xt6KiVIRPyBRDFlT0VtRiyus98PLptLAWiXbd0153cee2ibDr8IZc7K3HBaolBKk2aWaoOozXfVjjkdrCZQxhtTmsBph0t5XmiWP2nHlsJ~DeZO8W2IUAqpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Haverhill City, MA","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Committee members discussed ambiguity in the council rules about when a two-thirds vote (8 of 11) is required for zoning ordinances, special permits and related matters. The discussion produced no change to the rules but the committee asked the city solicitor to review and provide guidance.

Council members cited Rule 12 and the rulebook’s asterisks and asked whether flex development or other items still require a two-thirds vote. Council President Sullivan, speaking as a member of the committee and an attorney, pointed committee members to state law—“general law chapter 40A section 5” and “general law chapter 48 section 5”—as the sources that generally determine when supermajority votes apply for zoning matters and special permits. Sullivan said the rules as drafted refer the matter back to the city solicitor so the presiding officer and clerk will know whether to call for an 8-vote (two-thirds) or 6-vote threshold on any particular item.

Separately, the committee moved to remove document 37 (Article 4c — city solicitor ordinance language) from committee study after noting it had been approved with changes at a prior full council meeting. The move to remove was seconded and carried in committee roll call votes.

Votes at a glance
- Direction to city solicitor to review voting-threshold language and confirm when two-thirds is required — direction recorded; no formal ordinance change at this meeting.
- Motion to remove Ordinance (Article 4, city solicitor changes) from committee study — moved and seconded; committee roll-call: 5–0; motion approved. The prior full council action approving the ordinance was recorded as 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent on May 7 (per minutes cited in the packet).

Why it matters: The threshold for supermajority votes affects whether certain zoning and special-permit decisions require 8 votes. The committee sought solicitor guidance to reduce confusion and ensure correct vote counts on future zoning matters.

What’s next: Committee requested a formal review and written guidance from the city solicitor about application of two-thirds vs. simple-majority thresholds under state law and the council rules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Haverhill City Council Administration & Finance Meeting – February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members questioned when two-thirds votes are required for zoning matters and asked the city solicitor to clarify. The committee also voted to remove an ordinance regarding the city solicitor (Article 4, section changes) from committee for placement or further processing.","taxTitle","Haverhill City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",64850,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6299856,"Historic signage program supported by commission but questions remain about hosting on Haverhill site",515,1811000,2326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3&start=1811&end=2326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3/thumbnail_1811000.jpg","/articles/6299856/Haverhill-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Historic-signage-program-supported-by-commission-but-questions-remain-about-hosting-on-Haverhill-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299856-b44663c56cad9f20ed51f2303da90df4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206953&Signature=GreP4y-54V58vPYgg-G5extYa8yhBL3uqLoyJlCyWmujzc8d1T2xlIqaeE1dX61jy8TrCMBMbVhkZ3Z3-GBMQGYgAmZXxZPdQEnepVoOeeMwAOpGaSDoxpP6NJsVH52KvGBqnDKLb158Pfl5-yfvA27Zbs5tU4DwVvXvSRXYGCogpBs0sYJxtxNpG7dMesZCq~qZ1AuMdu~x~WynZBgWq25aQOes4~3WXo8Zq1C-46LNfUqkK4Nu2nYtoA-5u2GdkFzZKhlEM68S24VW7-Ndut58oBIBj67iew8iBNu9Kg~yq9GGE4vb2IAHtwRZ41VHjrfhYCCNJLc2UqX62t2Niw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Administration & Finance Committee discussed a private historic house signage program that the Haverhill Historical Commission has endorsed, but left unresolved whether the city should host program materials on its website or link to an external site.

Andrew Herlihy, speaking on behalf of the historic commission, said the commission “voted to support a citywide historic house signage program” and that the commission’s vote was intended as a blessing for a privately organized effort. Herlihy said the commission did not intend to own or operate the program but agreed the wording shown on the council packet was vetted by the commission and could be posted on the city’s website.

Committee members and staff raised technical and policy questions about linking to non-city pages. Councilor Ferrer and staff reported consulting Doug Russell, the city’s IT director, and Lisa Mead (who reviewed the legal implications) about whether the program should be a city-hosted page or a link to a private page operated by the Historic Highlands Association. Russell told committee members he had reviewed linkage policies used by other communities.

Several committee members said the program had been run previously by volunteers and community groups and that a city link could be useful if the city’s website wording made clear the program is privately operated. Councilor Jordan recalled an earlier volunteer effort that produced signs and recommended the private group could proceed independently if the city declined to host the content.

The committee asked staff to follow up with the city solicitor and IT director to resolve whether the program can be posted directly on the city website and how any external link would be handled; no formal action was taken to alter city policy at that meeting.

Why it matters: The decision affects whether the city hosts or links to a privately run historic-signage program and how the city represents such programs on the official website. Committee members said clarity is needed on linkage policy and wording so that the site accurately reflects that the program is private.

What’s next: Staff promised follow-up with the city solicitor and the IT director to confirm linkage policy and wording before returning any item to the full council.","The committee reviewed a private historic house signage program supported by the Haverhill Historical Commission and discussed whether the city website should link to or host program materials. Staff and commission representatives said the program is private; the committee asked for solicitor guidance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6299859,"Haverhill committee votes to move to paperless agenda packets with printed copies on request",580,736000,1316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3&start=736&end=1316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495143-41b8f0d4dbf69848ba747b6cccf4f7b3/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6299859/Haverhill-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Haverhill-committee-votes-to-move-to-paperless-agenda-packets-with-printed-copies-on-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299859-570fff5d8c3152271fc418f9c3b001bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206953&Signature=E77eo0Z1qqb9qbpyGSjc6tOj76sZIF5qgkjp7VyUwJCgNe49j4~5Iiqqq-RQQUnZT5XuOfX66JAoJv7TI5NycIeoo45LARb5FYkJLjXlImqgu~~YnCaHTMG7rHyS21MG2mKpfuwFkmw~bpjdoAKo3oF~Ou~hQKeaUlRQKWPfshbJbdcMYA-Bvr-P9hI4H3zbDOYxvTVJvtmDQ1iXnQqguBRpK8KUI93PAQp7Tf3dtqQRhILhhgJFpkFdyzfqGEwXayRKuvWTcA4gerPv8uro0QCawcsqrI1A2SZJxK42MaRAIAv9YTJt88S1Npy-mV5GvbNijfYSyk4i0mZtycisYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Haverhill City Administration & Finance Committee voted 5-0 to adopt a paperless agenda protocol while allowing councilors to request printed packets as needed.

Committee members said the change aims to cut printing costs and reduce paper waste. Councilor Ferrer proposed the motion, saying the city now has 11 councilors and weekly packets “a couple hundred pages” long that typically end up recycled. “I am interested in proposing a move to paperless agenda packets,” Ferrer said during the committee discussion.

The motion allows digital distribution as the default and preserves the right of any councilor to request a printed copy for particular items. Councilor Jordan, who seconded the motion, said he “completely agree[s] with Council Ferrer” and called the change “long overdue,” while asking that plans and renderings still be provided in a readable format for those who need them.

The committee’s discussion noted practical considerations: some supporting materials arrive as large plans or maps that are easier to view in paper or on specialized online viewers. Councilor Tewig said he keeps a printed packet for reference at home and asked that the policy permit individual councilors to request full printed packets when needed. Other speakers suggested a short OpenGov refresher for members who are less comfortable with the software.

The committee did not change other parts of the city’s rules at that time. The vote was limited to adopting paperless agendas with the clerk retaining the ability to print packets on request for individual councilors.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to adopt paperless agendas with printed packets available on request — moved by Councilor Ferrer; seconded by Councilor Jordan; committee vote 5–0; outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The change sets digital distribution as the default for council materials, which committee members said will reduce recurring printing costs and paper waste while preserving access for members who prefer or require printed materials.

What’s next: Committee members suggested a separate training or refresher on OpenGov and a follow-up to clarify how large plans and site drawings will be handled under the paperless protocol.","The Haverhill City Administration & Finance Committee voted to adopt paperless agendas, allowing councilors to request printed packets as needed. Supporters cited cost and environmental savings; some members said accommodations should be retained for those who need paper.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee clarifies rule ambiguity on special-permit vote thresholds; removes solicitor ordinance from committee

Historic signage program supported by commission but questions remain about hosting on Haverhill site

Haverhill committee votes to move to paperless agenda packets with printed copies on request