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Natick Charter and Bylaw Review Committee approves motions on multiple warrant articles, updates tax bylaw
Summary
The Town of Natick Charter and Bylaw Review Committee on Feb. 18 approved a series of motions forwarding warrant-article texts and bylaw edits — including changes to the Collector of Taxes bylaw to align with Massachusetts General Laws — and tabled one proposed motion. Votes were unanimous as recorded.
The Town of Natick Charter and Bylaw Review Committee voted on Feb. 18, 2025, to approve a set of motions forwarding multiple warrant-article drafts and bylaw edits to the next steps in the town process.
Committee members approved a motion to have Town Meeting hear a committee report on Article 23 and approved motions tied to bylaw and warrant-article texts that were shown on the meeting screen. Several motions recorded roll-call approval; early votes were recorded 6-0-0 and later by 5-0-0 depending on attendance. Bob Awkward repeatedly moved motions and Donna McKenzie seconded several items; Christine Weithman also moved and seconded motions during the meeting.
A central substantive change discussed and approved involved the Collector of Taxes bylaw. Committee members reviewed edits to ensure the bylaw would track how interest on unpaid taxes is calculated under the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), noting that tax-title interest and senior-deferral interest are treated differently under state law. During discussion the committee revised language about publishing the names of individuals or businesses with unpaid taxes; the revised Motion B was approved subject to review by special counsel.
The committee also discussed Motion F, which would make special zoning counsel available to the Planning Board, the Finance Committee and Town Meeting; the committee approved Motion F. The committee elected to table Motion G. Members noted that future meeting scheduling and some redlines are dependent on advice from special counsel and that outstanding meeting minutes were not yet available.
Votes at a glance: Article 23 motion — approved (recorded as 6-0-0); Motion D (Bylaw Article 41) — approved (6-0-0); Motion E items (as presented on screen) — approved (6-0-0); Motions A, B, C related to Collector of Taxes — approved (recorded as 5-0-0); Motion F (special zoning counsel availability) — approved (5-0-0); Motion G — tabled. The committee adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
The committee recorded that a redline of the Collector of Taxes changes will go to the Finance Committee and that Motion B is approved pending special counsel review. The meeting materials list a recording link and supporting documents; outstanding minutes are to be completed.
