Section 1.02 - Pre-Hearing Conferences(1) When the Council determines that a prima facie basis for a complaint exists, the Council may direct all interested parties, by written notice, to attend one or more pre-hearing conferences for the purpose of attempting to resolve the dispute, formulating the issues in the proceedings and determining any other matters to aid in its disposition. The following are some of the matters which may be considered:(a) simplification of the issues;(b) the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof;(c) limitation on the number of witnesses;(d) the procedure at the hearing;(e) the distribution to the parties prior to the hearing of written testimony and exhibits;(f) consolidation of the examination of witnesses by counsel; and;(g) such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the proceedings.(2) When the Council determines that a pre-hearing conference is desirable, it shall appoint a conference officer to conduct the pre-hearing conference. The conference officer may be a member of the Council or of the Council' s staff.(3) The conference officer may require, prior to the hearing, exchange of exhibits and any other material which may expedite the hearing. The conference officer shall assume the responsibility of accomplishing the purposes of the notice of the pre-hearing conference so far as that may possible without prejudicing the rights of any party.(4) During any hearing under 806 CMR 1.00, the Council may recess the hearing for an informal conference to carry out the purposes of 806 CMR 1.00.