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Rules committee deletes provision requiring members to vote
Summary
The Rules Committee voted to delete Rule 10 after members raised concerns that allowing unexplained abstentions could let councilors avoid scrutiny; the committee asked the city solicitor to draft stronger language for future consideration.
On June 10 the Chicopee City Council Rules Committee voted to delete Rule 10, which previously stated that every member present must vote unless a private interest created a conflict. The deletion followed discussion of whether the rule's current language allowed members to abstain without explanation and thereby avoid public scrutiny.
Councilor Shane Brooks said he was worried the existing language permitted evasive abstentions, arguing, "I do not want to see a Councilor abstaining from a vote just to get out of a difficult vote. That's a way to avoid public scrutiny." The committee asked Associate City Solicitor Tim Reilly to review the matter and propose stronger language; for the time being the committee moved to delete the rule.
Councilor Brooks moved to delete Rule 10, Councilor Laflamme seconded, and the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all five members present voting yes. The committee then voted to approve the rules package as amended.
