...ecologists have found that restored wetlands are not as ecologically valuable as the originals—a new analysis of 621 wetland sites shows that, on average, restored wetlands regained only about three-quarters of their original biological performance. In restored wetlands, plants, insects, and animals do not reach their former abundance, density or diversity... [R]estored wetlands hold less carbon—on average, 23 percent less than untouched wetlands, according to the analysis...

“You must worry about the function that you're losing,“ [UC Berkeley postdoctoral fellow David] Moreno-Mateos says. “It's going to take centuries to grow back.”

Click for the full article

• The committee supports a four-year term for mayor (councilors to stay with two-year terms)
• To fill a vacancy in the mayor's position, there should be a special election unless a general election is less than six months away (same as the present rule for city council vacancies)
• President of the city council should chair council meetings
• No term limits for mayor
• Ward 3 City Councilor Owen Freeman-Daniel's suggestion to increase the city council's power over appointments did not get traction

• The mayor should continue to chair the school committee
• The position of city clerk should continue to be filled by election
• The committee supports the establishment of a commission to study instant runoff voting
• Committee chair David Stevens had a vigorous debate with Councilor Freeman-Daniels There was a debate over whether to eliminate preliminary elections. At issue was whether these elections excessively advantage incumbents and disadvantage candidates who have less money and recognition. This matter will be revisited at the committee's 1/11/12 meeting.

• Powers of the Mayor
• Powers of the City Council/School Committee
• Length of Terms