NEWRA Members Defeat By-Law Term Change

By Phil Orlandella

An attempt to change a long-standing by-law relating to the number of consecutive years an officer can serve on the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) was foiled by the organization’s membership at its October monthly meeting held in the Nazzaro Community Center.

While NEWRA members filled the hall, there were not enough members (two-thirds of the vote) necessary to change the recommendation by the Nomination Committee to extend the term limits from two to four consecutive years.

Some proponents suggested that the change would give officers additional time to do more in a four-year term.

Opponents told the Review that the reason for a two-year term was not to give the community a sense of attempting to control the Board.

Once the by-law change was defeated, NEWRA went on to elect their officers: President Mary McGee, Vice-President David Coggins, Treasurer Anne DeLuca, Secretary Jennifer Crampton and Sergeant at Arms Cheryl Del Greco.

Reportedly, the nominating committee was notified by McGee that she would run for president but it was not mentioned to the membership until after the by-law change was rejected.

Since its inception, NEWRA has never debated a change in officer by-law terms or even suggested one.

Another business, NEWRA voted to support a request by Steve DeAngelis, owner of the Golden Goose, to change the legal occupancy at 65 Atlantic Avenue in order to open a Coffee Shop/Café.

            The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.