By Lisa Carolin
The Chelsea Human Rights Commission discussed what its role is in the community and how it needs to work with Chelsea City Council, a topic that the council took up at its May 1 meeting.
“Bringing up the topic of freedom cities is not within our scope,” said Tammy Stiles Beechey, referring to the commission’s request for a work session with the city council on the topic.
City Manager John Hanifan told members of the HRC that the direction they take has to be approved by the council.
“We don’t have the authority to take unilateral action,” said HRC member Susan Morrel-Samuels. “Our duty is to do research and make recommendations. We just cannot act on anything without the approval of the council.”
HRC chair Lynn Fox advised members to spend the next two weeks looking at the rules and procedures in the ordinance. HRC members are also working on a complaint form. Once the HRC approves the form, it will be up to the city council to approve it.
Hanifan talked about expanding the city website to include the HRC’s minutes, agendas, contact information, and when approved, the complaint form.
