Public Works, Planning & Development Standing Committee of the RTM Special Meeting & Public Hearing Materials (linked)

Sept. 16, 2020 
 
To: Public Works, Planning & Development Committee 
Re: Public Comment on proposed ordinance changes 
 
 
Due to a scheduling conflict, I am unable to attend (even by zoom) the Public Hearing on the proposed 
changes to the Public Works Department Ordinances (Title 2 Administration & Personnel, Chapter 2.20) 
and the Planning and Development Development Ordinances (Title 2 Administration & Personnel, 
Chapter 2.580). So, I am submitting this document with the request that it be included in the record. 
 
At the risk of repeating myself, I fully support the changes needed to transfer the Facilities Manager 
position to the Public Works Department. This will mark the culmination of a multi-year effort to arrange 
for a process of coordinated facilities management for all town and Board of Education buildings that 
should result in improved efficiencies and cost savings from improvements in the area of regular 
preventive maintenance, which has been a challenge for us over the years. 
 
That being said, I would respectfully request that as the committee makes their final review of the 
proposed ordinances they consider making the following changes.  In addition to a few typo corrections, 
they are basically for consistency and gender neutrality so that the revised ordinances can stand the test of 
time (at least for a few years, anyway) and would not be so drastic as to warrant a second public hearing. 
 
Chptr 2.20 Public Works: 
2.20.010: In the new second paragraph, first sentence—delete the extra comma after “facilities” 
At the end of that sentence, please “initial cap” Jordan Park House and Nevins Cottage since 
these are officially named buildings and not generic terms 
2.20.020: At the end of the second sentence, please add the phrase and the RTM after “board of finance,” 
since the budget must be reviewed by that body as well. 
In the third sentence, please add the phrase or her after both appearances of “his” 
2.20.040: in subsection D(3), please lowercase the L and E in “Light Equipment” for style consistency 
In subsection D(4), change “Facility” to Facilities, lowercase the M in “Management” and add 
a period at the end. All for style consistency, except the Facilities change is because more than 
one facility is involved and because it will be the division overseen by our new Facilities 
manager, so it just makes sense. 
 
Chptr 2.58 Planning and Development: 
2.58.020: At the end of the first sentence after “town” please restore the period that was inadvertently cut 
when original ordinance language was deleted. 
2.58.030: In the last sentence, please add the phrase or she after “he” (this one’s for Abby!) 
 
Thank you for your time and consideration of these suggestions.  
 
Susan Driscoll, RTM-4th District 
205 Rope Ferry Rd, Wtfd