Mayor McCarthy: Why I Didn't Speak At The Stigmatine Meeting

WALTHAM, MA – The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by the Waltham Mayor's Office.

Where was the mayor?

I understand that there are questions from citizens as to why the Mayor did not speak at the Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council last Monday night, May 15, 2017, on the Stigmatine matter.

Under City Council rules no person who is not a City Councillor is permitted to address the City Council.

A Councillor would have to move to suspend their rules to allow the Mayor or anyone to speak. I attach City Council Rule #9. The only exception is in the case of a public hearing where all members of the public are able to speak. This was not a public hearing.

On Monday, I was in City Hall all evening, ready and available to speak, if requested by the City Council. The Councillors did not suspend the rules to hear from the Mayor, so I was not permitted to speak.

So I hope this clarifies where the Mayor was...in her office all night waiting to be invited in to speak on her communications to the City Council.

Sincerely,

Jeannette A. McCarthy

May 17, 2017

Rule 9: No person who is not a member of the City Council shall be permitted to address the City Council when it is in formal session. This rule shall not apply to duly authorized Public Hearings. Any Councillor who moves for suspension of this rule shall identify the individual or individuals to be permitted to address the Council.

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