The Ad-Hoc Committee on Best Practices in Northampton Decision-Making (Best Practices Committee) is entering the final phase of its activities and beginning the preparation of a draft final report to the Northampton City Council. The draft report will be submitted to the City Council on or before December 4. This will be followed by a 90-day comment period when additional public input will be sought.
“We are inviting Northampton residents, business owners, and others who interact with city government to inform us of your thoughts about the city’s decision-making practices and urge people to contact us as soon as possible, with comments for the draft final report”, said Lisa DePiano, Committee Co-Chair.
The Best Practices Committee was appointed by the Northampton City Council in February 2008 and, in keeping with the Council's resolution and our Mission Statement, has been reviewing, "…. the City’s municipal decision-making practices…..and (will be) recommending practices that will foster the general democratic enterprise of being responsive and responsible to the fiscal, economic, social, and environmental interests of its citizens". The Committee has adopted meeting ground rules and a consensus model for decision-making, created a Public Meeting Review Form for use by attendees at public meetings, held public forums, reviewed “best practices” of other municipalities, interviewed and surveyed city officials, and met regularly since last winter.
The public can contact us in several ways: attend our next meeting on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the JFK Middle School, contacting committee members (contact information is on our website: www.northamptonma.gov/bestpractices, or write to us at: Best Practices Committee, c/o City Council Office, City Hall, 210 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. The website also includes our Mission Statement, Agendas, Minutes, links to information about best practices, the Public Meeting Review Form and other information. A Google User's Group northamptonbestpractices@googlegroups.com, has been created as an online forum for input and feedback.
PRESS CONTACT: Wendy Foxmyn, 413-584-2148
or Bob Reckman, 413-695-0281
Members, Best Practices Committee
