Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Poverty Abatement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Winthrop board says poverty-abatement appeal will be heard 'de novo'
Summary
Board members agreed the poverty-abatement appeal will be heard de novo — the panel will review evidence afresh — and discussed limits on cross-questioning, emphasizing a fair, non-intimidating process with counsel present for the appellant.
During the Aug. 4 organizational meeting, members agreed a poverty-abatement appeal will be heard de novo, meaning the board will consider the evidence anew rather than deferring to the town council's prior decision. Mark Corsi summarized the standard: "we look at all the evidence fresh from the start" and said members should avoid prejudging the matter.
Board members discussed questioning protocol and agreed that questions should be directed through the chair rather than having town staff or other participants cross-examine directly. Mark and Dan said that practice has been standard in similar hearings, and Amanda and Mark urged that the process be concise and accessible — not intimidating for an appellant who may appear without counsel.
