[HISTORY: Adopted by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee of
the Town of Stoughton 6-3-1976 (Ch. 206 of the 1983 Code).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following procedures and rules of order will be used by the Intergovernmental
Relations Committee during the conduct of public hearings. These rules of
order are in addition to the rules of order adopted at the Organizational
Town Meeting.
A. Introduction of Committee and its function by Chairman
at opening of session.
B. Opening of hearing and reading of public notice by Secretary
or Vice Chairman.
C. Presentation by petitioner(s).
D. Questions by members of the Committee to the petitioner.
Members of the Committee should take note of questions to be asked. Each member
will be granted one turn to question the petitioner, with all members present
allowed to speak before a member can have a second turn to question the petitioner.
E. Presentation by opponents of petition.
F. Questions by members of the Committee to opponents or
petitioners regarding matters of opposition.
H. Motion to dispense with article, i.e., table, refer,
etc.
I. Cross debate between Committee members and parties in
attendance is out of order during public hearing, unless a motion is made
either to suspend the rules or recess the hearing to allow for such discussion.
J. No member of the Committee shall make discussion of personalities.
K. Unless there has been correspondence or a presentation
before a properly notified public hearing, no action will be taken on a Town
Meeting Article other than a statement to the fact that no such correspondence
or presentation was made.
L. All reports to Town Meeting shall bear statement representative
of the reason for the Committee's recommendation.