HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-28-FHHR-min.pdf FAIR HOUSING AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
10/28/98 (Date corrected)
Present: Florence Baturin; Bensen Chiou; Margaret Cole; Kathryn Davis; Beverly
Goodridge, Tom Montanari; Dan Fenn, Selectmen liaison; Steve Baran,
staff and recorder;
Absent: Ralph Clifford, Chair; Michelle Ekanem.
Committee Composition
Since the Committee has unfilled positions, it was suggested that a notice be put in the
Minuteman.
Diversity Brochure
The Committee offered changes to be made in the diversity brochure. Steve Baran has
a volunteer who will help with updating.
Affirmative Action
1 Ralph Clifford met with Rick White, Town Manager; Linda Crew Vine, Assistant
Town Manager and Dan Fenn.
2. Agreement was reached that there should be a Diversity Task Force with the
Town Manager as a member Other members are to include the Assistant Town
Manager, a representative of the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee,
representatives of minority communities, and a representative of the Board of
Selectmen.
3. An action plan was to be forwarded to the Committee prior to the date of this
meeting.
4 The Personnel Advisory Committee has become involved.
5. Names of persons who might be interested in serving on an Affirmative Action
Committee are being pulled together
6. Dan Fenn is helping to expedite.
7 The Committee recommended particularly educating the current staff to make
the Town's climate and culture conducive to encouraging a diverse work force.
8 The Committee urged that attention be paid to the composition of hiring
committees.
9 It was felt that the Committee had reached its objective of gaining the attention
l of the Town; the policy was acceptable, but its implementation had been lacking.
What had always been on the Town's agenda was now being given priority
3 2
10. The Fair Housing Committee asked to review the Diversity Committee charge
while it is the formative stages.
11 Dan Fenn has obtained the understanding and agreement of the Selectmen that
appointed committees should be made more diverse.
CONTINUED LACK OF INSENSITIVITY
Instances of continued lack of sensitivity on the part of school department and police to
diversity concerns were noted.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
1 Committee budget— needs to be well documented.
2. METCO Coordinator to be invited.
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