HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-30-BOR-min
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Board of Registrar Meeting of
June 30, 2004 – 9:00 a.m.
Minutes
Chairman Luanna Devenis called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m., Room 111, Town Office
Building
Present: Luanna Devenis, Chairman; Mary Abegg; Ann Miller; Donna Hooper, Clerk
Chairman Devenis inquired if there was any opposition to her audio taping the meeting.
Members expressed no objection.
Approval of Meeting Minutes – June 11, 2004
Motion to approve Minutes - Adopted
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Guidelines from State Ethics & Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF)
Copies of Campaign Finance and State Ethics Commission flyers regarding public
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employee restrictions and guidelines were provided
Source and issuance of February 2004 fundraising letter from Republican Town
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Committee, and inclusion of public employee & Registrar names was discussed
Registrars discussed Office of Campaign and Political Finance finding against
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Republican Town Committee and Ms. Devenis for using the address of a public
employee to solicit contributions.
Town Committee Roles & Board of Registrars
The Registrars discussed the role of Registrar as a fair and impartial defender of
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party rights. The Town Clerk expressed concern that the integrity of Lexington’s
elections could be compromised when Registrar political activity becomes
advocacy.
The Registrars opined on levels of political activity viewed as appropriate and of
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the need for individual Registrars to abide by state statute, as well as to disclose
political activity so as not to have an appearance of conflict or as action that
would impede performance of statutory role as Registrar.
The Town Clerk explained her obligation to forward the OCPF finding to the
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Board of Selectmen
Old Business:
The Town Clerk updated Registrars on the ruling of the Chief Legal Counsel for
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the Elections Office that appointment of one Assistant Registrar at Lexington
High School, regardless of political party (D,R,U) is not a violation of the MGL c.
51 §22 provision that ‘they shall equally represent the different political parties’.
Board Chairmanship – The question was raised if the Board should reconsider the
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June 11 vote for Chairman due to the recent Campaign Finance ruling.
Members took no action at this time.
New Business:
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
Members discussed the impression that the Board of Registrars is becoming a
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more partisan board and possible impact on the role of Registrar.
The Town Clerk updated Registrars on upcoming fall elections and voter
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registration sessions, 20 days prior to each election.
State Primary: Tuesday, September 14
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Registration Session, Wednesday, August 25
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Presidential Election: Tuesday, November 2
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Registration Session – Wednesday, October 13
Meeting adjourned approximately 9:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna M. Hooper, Clerk