2011 Report of the Town Council
Our first term had its share of challenges as we worked to build our new form of government, striving to achieve three major goals: to increase accountability for our elected officials, to improve government efficiency, and to make our government more transparent. With some growing pains, I believe that collectively we have indeed succeeded in this significant transition. To improve transparency and accountability, the Town Council’s meeting packets and supporting materials are now posted on-line so that our residents can follow along and know exactly what is being discussed. With the tremendous support of RCTV, in addition to the Town Council meetings, our residents can now watch the meetings of our Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission. Our new government has become more efficient,
by eliminating the inherent delays of our former system; it has allowed the Town Council to make decisions in a more timely and decisive fashion.
As we enter this second term, it is important that we build upon our recent success and learn from our mistakes. In the past two years, we’ve seen tremendous progress in our community, but there is still much to be done. Working together with Town Manager David Murphy, we have established common goals for the Town of Randolph and have been able to maintain services to our residents while persevering through a tough economic climate. The reconstruction of Imagination Station and the Randolph High School Track and Football complex, the commencement of the downtown revitalization and Powers Farm projects, significant improvement in our crime statistics are just a few examples highlighting the Randolph Renaissance. The Town Council has passed ordinances related to unregistered junk cars, illegal weapons, and noise,
among many others, to improve the quality of life for our residents. Throughout our term and during our joint meetings, we have worked closely with the School Committee and Superintendent Oscar Santos to build upon the recent advancements in the Randolph Public Schools. I am confident that together we can accomplish our goal of success for all our children.
The Town Council amended our Rules and Regulations, as well as implemented other measures to improve our efficiency and effectiveness, as well as making the Council more proactive:
1. Reduced the composition of the Finance Committee from 9 to 3 Councilors
2. Reduced the composition of the Ordinance Committee from 9 to 3 Councilors
3. Earlier distribution of the Council meeting packet and materials
4. Council meeting packet, including supporting materials, are available on-line
5. Creation of a rolling three-meeting agenda
During 2011, thirty-three orders were submitted to and deliberated by the Town Council, as well as concluding action for a few orders remaining from 2010. Some of the highlights include:
1. Approved the local option for Meals Tax
2. Approved authorization to borrow $2.85 million for the renovation of the community athletic facilities
3. Approved Zoning changes:
a. Table of Allowable Activity
b. Design and Site Plan Review
4. Acceptance of State General Laws to enable Randolph Police Department to conduct State and Federal Fingerprint checks for certain licenses
5. Approved Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget
6. Approved $1 million Capital Improvement Plan
a. Street and sidewalk repairs
b. School technology upgrades
c. Technology efficiency program
d. New sidewalk plow
e. Two DPW vehicles with plows
f. Three police cruisers
g. Town Hall Building relocations
h. New election equipment
7. Approved Community Preservation expenditures
a. Town Planner
b. Vital records and historic document preservation
c. Restoration of the Soldiers & Sailors monument
d. Powers Farm Phase Two
e. Memorial Parkway renovation
f. Randolph Dog Park
g. Imagination Station
h. Land Purchase Bond payment
8. Approved amendments to the Town Charter for approval of the Randolph residents:
a. Reducing the term length for the Stetson Trustees from four to two years
b. Reducing the term length for the School Committee from four to two years
c. Reducing the required number of citizen signatures required from 5% of the total number of registered voters to 250 registered voters
d. Creation of an autonomous licensing board for certain licenses
9. Approved authorization of surplus properties
10. Approved Noise Ordinance
11. Approved resolution seeking one State Representative for the Town of Randolph
12. Approved resolution outlining flag protocols for the Town of Randolph
According to the Town charter, the Council also acts as the licensing board. Throughout the year, the Council approved various permits such as livery, common victualler's, change of managers, and various other licenses. We welcomed community organizations such as the Randolph Garden Club, Randolph Community Partnership and R.I.S.E., our community band, Milton Hospital, as well as many of our department heads, to educate our residents of the opportunities that exist within our community.
We express our sincere appreciation to the tremendous work of our Clerk of the Council, Andrea Bohn, as well as the staff of the Town Manager, Linda Sproules, Anne Barkhouse, and Betty McGrath, who provide valuable resources to the Council. Also, thank you to Town Clerk Brian Howard, who was appointed as the Assistant Town Manager, and his staff Cheryl Sass and Kristen McDonald, for their continued support.
Finally, we would like to thank Councilor Maureen Pasquantonio for her service to the Town of Randolph and we welcome newly elected Councilor Jason Adams to the Council. We have seen great progress in the past two years, but the Town Council fully understands that we still have many challenges to face to make a stronger future for Randolph, but together, with the support of our residents and businesses, we will continue building toward tomorrow today.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew L. Azer, President
Paul J. Meoni, Vice-President
William Alexopoulos
James F. Burgess Jr.
Richard A. Brewer
Kenrick Clifton
Paul K. Fernandes
Arthur Goldstein
Maureen Pasquantonio
Stetson Hall Memorial Walk - Cannon Restoration
| 