Attleboro City Council Rejects Measure to Set Cut-Off Time for Late Running Meetings

The Attleboro City Council Tuesday rejected a measure that would have changed the bylaws by which council meetings are conducted.

In a 9-2 vote, the City Council decided that it was unnecessary to add language to the council's bylaws that would call for a vote at 11 p.m. to continue the meeting until midnight. Any meetings lasting beyond midnight, under the measure, would be continued from Tuesday to Friday night.

The lone supporters of the measure were Councilmen Peter Blais and Richard Conti.

Blais, who spoke on the matter, said 14 years on the board have proven that less gets done the later it gets.

"After midnight, you really don't get anything accomplished," he said.

Council President Frank Cook stepped down from the president's seat to speak on his opposition. He said that for the past six years while he has been at the helm, the council has been more productive with committee meetings every other week, allowing for more productivity and efficiency during regular council meetings.

Councilman Jeremy Denlea pointed out that if a meeting needs to be continued, any councilor can make a motion to continue it. Therefore, mandating an end time was unnecessary.