LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
OF NORWOOD
Annual Meeting
Tuesday – May 14, 2013 - 6 pm
OLD COLONIAL CAFÉ’
Nahatan St.
Norwood
Never doubt that a small group
Of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has.
Dr. Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
President’s Message – Annual Meeting - Carol Boisen
The League Year in Review –
On June 8 - 12, 2012, Susan Quinn and I traveled to Washington DC for LWV National Convention. It was a great experience for both of us. The featured speaker was Attorney General Eric Holder.
Our League participated in Norwood Day September 15th. This year we focused on registering people to vote.
The Fall Kick off was on Tuesday October 16th at The Sweeterie Ice Cream Shop 686 Washington St. Norwood. The shops owner Kim Weineck was the speaker for the evening. Kim also serves as downtown manager for The Friends of Norwood Center.
October 18th was our Candidates Forum and Ballot Question Review held at the Town Hall. We worked with the Walpole Westwood League to host the event.
We began the New Year 2013, with our annual Jack Frost Party at the home of Steve and Toni Eosco. This is one of our most enjoyable events with good food and great conversation!
Bad weather intervened in February with at least two major snow events.
March 13 was the annual Day on The Hill. Several of us attended the event.
Monday March 18th was our local Candidates Night.
April 25th, the Norwood league hosted a Legislative Forum on Healthcare at the Community Room. The featured speaker was Kaitlyn Kenney Walsh, director of policy and research and National Healthcare coordinator at the Health Connector.
Finally, The Norwood League has undertaken to study public transportation in Norwood The committee has met thru out the year and we are continuing our research into the following year. Our goal is to publish a booklet on available local transportation to be distributed to the citizens of Norwood.
As my final term of president of the Norwood League of Women Voters comes to a close, I am very grateful to all of you who helped make our league successful. Thank you, Carol Boisen
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MEETING AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER- Carol Boisen, President
Page
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 1
AGENDA 2
APPROVALOF MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING 20123-6
TREASURER’S REPORT 7
ACCEPTANCE OF BUDGET FOR 2010-20118-9
FINANCE REPORT (ADVERTISING PAGE REVENUE) 10
MEMBERSHIP REPORT 11
VOTER SERVICE REPORT 12
HOSPITALITY/BULLETIN/PUBLICITY, PUBLICATIONS 13
PROPOSED LOCAL PROGRAM 14
LOCAL PROGRAM POSITIONS 14-16
(CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITIES)
NOMINATING REPORT 17
PROGRAM REPORTS:
Local Program – Transportation18
Legislation/National – Healthcare Action 19
MISSION STATEMENT 20
MEMBERS HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE IN NORWOOD 21
NON-PARTISAN POLICY 22
MEMBERSHIP LIST 23
TOWN OF NORWOOD IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS 24
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HOSPITALITY
ANNUAL MEETING:
The Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Olde Colonial Cafe in Norwood with 22 people in attendance. Following the social hour, a delicious buffet dinner was enjoyed by all after which the President, Carol Boisen, opened the business meeting.
JACK FROST PARTY:
Toni and Steve Eosco hosted the annual Jack Frost Party at their home on Sunday, January 27, 2013, attended by 11 members and 7 guests. The cocktail hour was followed by a delicious pot-luck dinner and dessert. Thanks to Toni and Steve for their hospitality and for all the members who provided the delicious entrees and dessert.
Monthly Board Meetings:
The following members hosted the meetings at their homes this year: Diane Jeffery, Carol Boisen, Anne Fratalia, Susan Quinn, Mardie McKenna, Carol Boisen, Sarah Sullivan, Peggy Kenney, and Carol MacLeay.
If you haven't held a meeting at your home and could help out, please call me.
Doris Keliher, Hospitality Chair
THE “CARRILLON” BULLETIN - Mary Anne Kenney, Publisher
The Norwood Bulletin “The Carillon” is published nine times a year to all members. The Bulletin was forwarded to 31 members by email and regular mail. Also, approximately 5-6 copies are sent to prospective members each month as well as to the State and National Leagues and Presidents of other Leagues in Massachusetts. The Bulletin is printed by Norwood Printing and the Advertising Page is forwarded with the emailed Bulletin. The mailed Bulletins have the Ad page as a cover.
PUBLICITY - All Chairs
Articles on our upcoming meetings were forwarded to the Norwood Transcript and Bulletin and the free Norwood Record throughout the League year. Cable TV is also invited to record our public meetings and our public meetings are always posted on the Cable “Calendar of Events” for Norwood.
Each Chair is responsible for taking care of the publicity for their meeting.
PUBLICATIONS
The Town Meeting Guide was distributed to new town meeting members at our Annual Town Meeting in May, 2012. Voter Service Chair Carol MacLeay passed out the booklets to the new members as they signed in. At our Candidates Forum, David Hern, Town Meeting Moderator said that the League’s Town Meeting Guide is very useful for orientation of new members
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LEGISLATION – HEALTHCARE UPDATE MEETING REPORT
Legislation Chair Diane Jeffery
National – Healthcare Chair – Mary Anne Kenney
On Thursday evening, April 25, 2013, the Norwood League combined Legislation and Healthcare to hold a Legislative Forum entitled “Healthcare – Massachusetts Healthhcare System and the Federal Affordable Care Act”. The meeting was held in the Community Room of the Police and Fire Station and was televised for our cable channel.
Our speaker was Kaitlyn Kenney Walsh who spoke to the League about the latest developments on Massachusetts Healthcare.
Katilyn is the Director of Policy and Research and the National Health Reform Coordinator at the Health Connector, an independent Massachusetts state agency that implemented many of the provisions of the state’s landmark 2006 health care reform law. Kaitlyn is responsible for conducting research and analysis relative to all major policy decisions of the Health Connector.
Her power point presentation consisted of 20 slides explaining the Massachusetts experience and the Implications of National Health Reform. Her 45 minute presentation was very clear and extremely informative. The Forum will be shown on cable Channel 24. Please check the cable Calendar of Events or the website for scheduled dates and times. We have copies of Kaitlyn’s slide show presentation available for those who want to follow the broadcast with her slides.
The Affordable Care Act – On march 23, 2010, the United States Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, legislation for a comprehensive healthcare plan that will insure all Americans. When challenged by some states, the law was upheld by the United States Supreme Court. The benefit of the law is that it will spread out the cost over everyone, which will make it more affordable for any individual person.
In October, 2013, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or what is called The Exchanges, will be available to individuals and small businesses to buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans in this new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace. All Americans are to be insured by January 2014.
In 1993, the League of Women Voters of the United States reached a position on national healthcare after three years of study. The base of the League position was for a single-payer healthcare system run by the government. We did not get a public option, but the law is a good starting place.
Local Transportation Study of Norwood
The Local Transportation Study committee continued to concentrate on the needs of Norwood residents and public transportation within Norwood. During the year the following things took place
- Conducted a preliminary survey of Town Meeting Members for the 6th, 7th and 9th districts. The survey covered safety, various residents’ needs such as access medical care, shopping, school activities, access to the Social Security office and employment transportation needs. The survey response showed a significant concern over safety issues primarily related to Route 1 .
- Requested from the Norwood Police Department pedestrian accident issues in the Route 1 area over the past 2 years. The Norwood police safety officer confirmed there had been a total of 10 pedestrian related accidents, however, all 10 were in shopping center parking lots, gas stations or other such places.
- Met with the president of the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce regarding their view of expanding transportation access within Norwood and along Route 1 particularly with regard to access to business employment/employee issues . The NVCC is interested in promoting good transportation along Route 1 but also understood our concern about improving transit within Norwood.
- Met with the Tony Mastandrea, Director of Transportation, Town of Norwood regarding a possible meeting with the MBTA to discuss expanding transit within Norwood. Tony endorsed our efforts and was happy to lend his support to our request for a meeting with the MBTA.
- Before we could formally request a meeting with the MBTA it was imperative the Norwood Board of Selectmen approve such a request.
We met with Bernie Cooper, Assistant Town Manager and Michael Lyons, Selectmen to discuss our concerns and our desire to meet with the MBTA. They concurred with us that transportation is something that needs to be looked at. As a result, a letter has been sent on Town of Norwood letterhead stationery requesting such a meeting.
- At the March 5, 2013 Board of Selectmen meeting the issue was address by Chairman Lyons.
- The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization had 4 possible studies under consideration for the upcoming year. One of which was a study of the Route 1 transportation needs in Dedham in the Legacy Place area. We sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting their endorsement of the proposed study to be done by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization. At the March 19, 2013 meeting of the Board of Selectmen there was a motion by Selectman Donohue requesting the Board send a letter endorsing the 34E Bus route study. Such a letter was sent to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization.
- The NLWV has also sent a letter to the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization endorsing such a study.
- The NVCC has advised such a study is slated to be done. We have suggested to the NVCC that the study needs to be expanded to include the Route 1 area from Dedham to the Walpole Mall area. At this point in time it is uncertain how far down Route 1 the study will extend.
The Transportation Committee has worked hard over the past year to move the conversation forward and improve transit within Norwood and the surrounding area. We are in the action phase of the study and will continue to do whatever we can to improve public transit in Norwood
Committee members: Carol Boisen, Lillian Callahan, Peggy Kenny, Mary Anne Kenney and Susan Quinn,
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Quinn
Voter Service Committee Report
May 14, 2013
VOTER REGISTRATION
The Voter Service Committee attended seven Open Houses and Conference Nights at the Balch, Callahan, Oldham, Prescott, Cleveland, and Coakley Middle Schools and at the Early Childhood Center during September and October. We also conducted Voter Registration at the High School in May. In the fall, thirteen people were registered, of which 2 were new citizens. Four applications for absentee ballots were given out and the registration of many voters was verified.
I want to thank Carol Boisen, Mary Anne Kenney, Anne Fratalia, Courtney Rau, Barbara Morrison, Peggy Kenney, Susan Quinn, Mardie McKenna and Sandra Johnson for manning the tables at all the schools in the fall. Also, thank you to Carol Boisen, Mary Anne Kenney, Patrice Moore and Sarah Sullivan for conducting the voter registration at the high school.
In addition to the presence at the schools, we also were visible during Norwood Day, where we distributed information about voting and voter registration forms. We set a record for registering voters on Norwood Day this year.
CANDIDATES’ FORUMS
On October 18th, the Norwood League of Women Voters, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Walpole and Westwood, hosted a Candidates' Forum for the State and County Election. There were five contested races and five uncontested races. Contested races included State Rep for Norwood, State Senator for Walpole and Representative in Congress for Norwood. Most of the candidates in contested races were present. We also included a short ballot question forum.
The Voter Service Committee hosted a Candidates’ Forum on March 18th for the local annual election. Many of the candidates attended even though there was only one contested race. Each candidate had the opportunity to make a statement, and to answer questions from the audience, and questions compiled by Mary Anne Kenney on behalf of the League.
Thanks to Risa Nyman for moderating the Fall Forum and to Kathy Hasenjaeger for moderating the Spring forum.
Special thanks to Mary Anne Kenney for composing all those wonderful questions for the candidates for both forums. Thanks to all the League Members who helped with both of the Candidates’ Forums: Sandra Johnson, Mary Anne Kenney, Carol Boisen, Toni Eosco, Susan Quinn, Mardie McKenna, Anne Fratalia, Diane Jeffery, Courtney Rau, Peggy Kenney, Doris Keliher, and Lillian Callahan.
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NORWOOD LWV MEMBERSHIP REPORT KICKOFFSOCIAL HELD OCTOBER 16, 2012
Come on down - - - Downtown!
The Sweeterie Ice Cream Shop
686 Washington Street, Norwood Center
Guest Speaker: KIM WEINECK,
Norwood’s Downtown Manager
Massachusetts College of Art & DesignGraduate
Kim serves as downtown manager for the non- profit organization ‘Friends of Norwood Center’ (FNC) – a group of supportive businesses and residents working together to make the downtown area more relevant and vibrant. Learn about the mission, goals, and work of FNC and share your ideas about Norwood’s downtown area. Enjoy coffee/tea, dessert treasures and ice cream at our meeting location, too!
MEMBERSHIP REPORTby Toni Eosco
As described above, our fall league kickoff in 2012 included 12 league members and 4 guests for a total of 16 attendees. Our desserts were delicious and our guest speaker was very engaging as she described the challenges of promoting a vibrant Norwood Center against the development of large stores and area complexes such as Patriot Place in Foxboro, and Legacy Place in Dedham. I am pleased to add that we met Patrice Moore at the meeting and she later joined the league. Welcome Pat! Receipts from the event totaled $60 and expenses $110. The net cost to our league for the event was $50. I thank all who attended. It was a very enjoyable and informative evening.
NORWOOD LEAGUE MEMBERS WHO HOLD
PUBLIC OFFICE
MAY 2011
COURTNEY RAU - SCHOOL COMMITTEE
JOAN JACOBS - BOARD OF HEALTH
JOAN JACOBS - CABLE TV COMMITTEE
JUDITH LANGONE - FINANCE COMMITTEE
EDWARD MCKENNA - PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS
MARTHA COLAMARIA
TONI EOSCO
JOAN JACOBS
JUDY LANGONE
EDWARD MCKENNA
MARGERY MCKENNA
SHERI NIKOLASSY
SARA SULLIVAN
“DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT”
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League of Women Voters of Norwood
Non-Partisan Policy
(Voted at the Board Meeting of April 10, 2000)
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which acts on selected governmental issues in the public interest. As a nonpartisan organization, the League neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate. It encourages its members, except for specific board members during their term of office, to work for the party of their choice as individuals and to run for office. Members are requested to not speak for the League while participating in partisan causes.
Although the League never takes a position on candidates, it does take a stand on issues. A League position on issues is a result of membership consensus based on study and discussion of the facts. Frequently, a party or faction may adopt the same stand. The League position, however, is arrived at independently and bears no relation to the position of candidates, factions, or parties. To ensure the confidence of the public in the League’s nonpartisanship, the Board of the league of Women Voters of Norwood adheres to the following policies.
1)The President and the Voter Services Chairperson may not engage in any partisan political activity. They may not run for (or hold) any elective office except that of Town Meeting Member.
2)Other Board members and chairpersons shall not run for (or hold) an office that relates directly to their portfolio, i.e. Education Chairperson may not be a School Committee Member.
3)Board members may sign nomination papers.
4)Board members may be appointed to public offices or committees if they are nonpartisan and do not conflict with League positions.
5)Board members who resign from the Board to become politically active may not return to the Board until after the next Annual Meeting.
6)The League of Women Voters of Norwood will not accept or solicit contributions
from office holders or from candidates.
Related Policies: When positions related to the League are being discussed at Town Meetings or any other public forum, any statements made in the name of the League of Women Voters relative to such items shall come from the President or his/her appointee. Any communications, including newspaper statements relative to League policies and positions, shall be signed by the president.