Finance Committee votes 11-3 to shelve diversity resolution
Natick Finance Committee votes 11-3 to shelve a citizen petition limiting board speech on divisive topics.
Finance Committee · Meeting of September 10, 2026
Natick Finance Committee votes 11-3 to shelve a citizen petition limiting board speech on divisive topics. Chaired by Todd Gillenwater, the committee unanimously or near-unanimously backed two Select Board bylaw cleanups: repealing an unenforceable profanity bylaw, 13-0-1, after Select Board Chair Kathryn Coughlin cited a recent SJC ruling, and updating the sex-offender bylaw to match state law, 14-0-0. The contentious item was Article 17, sponsor Michael Linehan's resolution asking boards to avoid endorsing views "not generally acceptable to the vast majority." Member David Coffey said he wanted it to "go away and never see the light of day again," while Donna McKenzie invoked a former student's motto to "be kinder than necessary" even as she opposed the article.
Members Grace Keeney and Julian Munnich cited internal contradictions and majority-tyranny concerns. The committee voted 11-3-0 for indefinite postponement over a referral-to-sponsor alternative.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,522 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of September 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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