Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Charles Duren has issued some house rules for tonight’s public hearing on putting “supportive housing” in the Old North School. The hearing will take place in the Council Chambers at 7:30 PM.

The special rules appear on the Commission’s agenda, which is posted on the town website.

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CHAIRMAN’S RULES FOR PUBLIC HEARING PH #2648

A large amount of evidence and testimony is anticipated for this hearing.  In order to ensure fairness to all, it is essential that the hearing proceed in good order.  To that end, certain guidelines have been established.  We appreciate your cooperation with the following requests.

1.   Please be courteous.  This is a formal public hearing and as such, applause or comments from the audience are inappropriate and do a disservice to those that have the floor.  Only the individual who has the floor should be speaking.  The rules of the hearing require that there be no direct debate between audience members and the parties.  Any questions or comments to the applicant can only be addressed through the Chairman when you have your opportunity to address the Commission.

2.  To move things along more efficiently, those of the general public wishing to speak are requested to sign up in advance.  After the Chairman has called those from the sign up sheet, the general public will then be given an opportunity to speak.  If you have not already done so, sign up sheets are available on the table located in front of the recording secretary.

3.  The applicants are requested to limit their initial remarks to no more than 45 minutes.  This will be followed by Commission questions and general public input.

4.  Please do not read items that have already been submitted or will be submitted in writing; they will be part of the record and have just as much weight as oral testimony.  They will be considered in our deliberations. If necessary, identify for the record, where we might find detailed information which you wish to highlight.

5.  Individual remarks should be limited to no more than 5 minutes so that all those who wish to speak will have an opportunity to do so within the time we have allotted for this hearing.  Please do not repeat points already made, just indicate your support for a particular point of testimony.

6.  Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in making this process as efficient and civil as possible.

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IN CASE OF OVERFLOW CAPACITY IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS:  A television with a live feed of the hearing has been set up in the Enfield Room downstairs.  If you wish to speak at the hearing please sign up ahead of time.  The Chairman will announce the next speaker as well as the two speakers to follow so that you will have time to come up to the hearing room.