Richlands council hears public comment on removing aloud ordinance readings and revising town manager residency rule

Town of Richlands — The Town of Richlands council held a public hearing to gather comment on two proposed charter changes: removing the requirement to read entire ordinances aloud at the first reading and revising a clause that requires the town manager to reside within the town during tenure.

Jason (council) opened the item by saying the council had received two suggestions for charter amendment: the aloud-reading requirement and the town manager residency requirement. He said the council could work through the precise wording at the regular meeting and asked staff to prepare a draft for presentation to the town’s legislative delegation.

Seth (council) urged the council to end the practice of reading long ordinances line by line at first reading, calling the practice “just absurd” and arguing that providing copies in advance would better allow residents to review proposals. "We print 50 copies or however many copies are needed and make sure anybody who wants a copy gets that copy ahead of time," Seth said, adding that the current reading requirement is an antiquated charter provision and that councils elsewhere provide synopses instead of exhaustive readings.

Henry Nelson (council) and other council members said they agreed, with Nelson noting the reading requirement originally arose when packets were not readily available. Nelson told the council that packets are now posted online and copies are available at meetings, reducing the rationale for reading entire ordinances aloud.

Council members also voiced support for keeping a residency expectation for the town manager. "I think that the town manager should live in the town of Richlands," Seth said, arguing that living inside the town gives the manager better understanding of local conditions and “skin in the game.” Several council members reiterated that view during discussion.

Resident Linda Mitchell asked how the charter text would change and read aloud the charter’s present wording, which states that "at the time of his appointment, the town manager need not be a resident of the town or Commonwealth, but during the tenure of office shall reside within the town." Mitchell asked whether the proposed amendment would remove the residency requirement entirely or whether the council would add a six‑month residency provision; council members discussed both options but did not adopt specific text during the hearing.

Mike (staff) said the next steps were to finalize the desired wording, read the agreed language into the minutes, prepare certified minutes, and forward the package to the town’s delegate and senator so the change could be placed on the General Assembly docket. Mike said a working version of the wording could be prepared before the end of the evening. Jason noted the charter changes are also on the regular agenda and can be finalized for print and vote later in the session.

With no further public comment on the proposed charter amendments, the mayor adjourned the public hearing.

The council will consider the precise wording at its regular meeting and, if approved, will forward the language to the town’s legislative delegation for possible placement before the General Assembly.