Weymouth Town Council reorganizes, reappoints clerk and refers slaughter ordinance

WEYMOUTH -- January 16, 2024, Weymouth Town Council opened 2024 by reorganizing committees, reappointing its town clerk, and sending a ritual slaughter ordinance to committee. New Council President Mike Melisi announced 14 standing and liaison committee assignments for the 2024-26 term, with Councillor Greg Shanahan chairing both Budget Management and Economic Development. The council unanimously reappointed Cathy DeRee as town clerk and Lee Halton as assistant town clerk under same-night action procedures. Measure 23-135, a proposed Ritual Slaughter Ordinance submitted on behalf of Mayor Robert Hedlund, was referred unanimously to the Ordinance Committee; it would bar the town from hindering any person's religious practice of ritual livestock slaughter on private property, consistent with state law. Councillor John Abbott reported the Southfield Union Point Committee met six times to review the Notice of Project Change for the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, with public comments on that filing due to MEPA by January 30.