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Councilors urged to shift toward paperless packets; staff to print maps or special materials on request
Summary
Council leadership and staff discussed a push to reduce paper by using electronic packets. Staff said a public‑room computer and printer are available for councilors and that the clerk and manager will print materials when maps or color copies are needed; speakers cited 2,500 pages per meeting and roughly $200 per meeting in copying costs.
Westerly staff and council leadership discussed moving toward paperless meeting packets during the Jan. 13 orientation, asking councilors for cooperation and describing exceptions for maps and last‑minute materials.
Staff said the town previously attempted a paperless workflow but members preferred paper copies; the manager proposed that councilors print items themselves at a room computer and printer that will be available before meetings. "If you want something printed, come in and use it," the manager said, adding that staff will print color maps or materials deemed necessary for meeting deliberations.
Speakers cited an estimate of about 2,500 pages of documents per meeting and said copying costs had been roughly "$200 and something dollars a meeting." The manager said that if an agenda item requires special printed materials — for example, colored road maps for a bond vote — staff would provide them. Several councilors said they prefer paper packets for ease of note‑taking and reading; staff said they will continue to print requested packets when asked but asked for cooperation to limit routine mass copying.
The clerk confirmed the town calendar and meeting notices will remain available and that staff will continue to accommodate last‑minute correspondence when necessary.
