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Amherst council tables rules-of-procedure changes after dispute over expulsion clause
Summary
Councilors discussed edits to rules of procedure (citizen comment placement, EDA appointment language and numbering fixes) but tabled the item to February after a councilor raised concerns about an expulsion provision and whether signing the code of ethics could conflict with voting against the rules.
Town staff proposed several modest edits to the council’s rules of procedure, including adding the check registry to the agenda, formally placing citizen comments where the council has practiced them, and adding council appointments to the Economic Development Authority. The changes were presented by Ms. McGuffin.
A council member objected to a provision that mirrored language in the charter allowing expulsion of a council member by a two‑thirds vote for misconduct in office and said she was uncomfortable voting for rules containing the provision while being asked to sign a code of ethics that pledges respect for council decisions. The town attorney declined to give an on‑the‑spot legal opinion and staff withdrew the motion; the council agreed to table the rules-of-procedure vote until its February meeting so the attorney could review the charter and code of ethics and provide guidance.
A council member suggested removing the expulsion language from the rules of procedure would not change the charter’s authority, but the group preferred to defer action until counsel provided a formal opinion. The item will return to the council’s February agenda for further consideration.
