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Edward L rkin, Chairman <br /> irman <br /> Charter Review Committee <br /> May 2 1, 2014 <br /> Page <br /> 4 + <br /> make a reasonable person think the subject commute ernbei could be improperly influenced <br /> as proscribed by G.L. c. )(b)(3). The subject matter upon which the Charter Review <br /> Committee voted, i.e., the method for selection of Finance Committee members, is clearly wifliIII <br /> the scope of rev ie w and juri diction of the Charter Revi ew Committee. The deli an ation of ToNvn <br /> multimember boards, committees and cormi-iissions as appointed or elected bodies is a subject <br /> that frequently appears in r un-iolpal home rule charters. Participation in the subject vote by the <br /> Committee members designated ex qjficio by the Finance.Committee cannot be construed as an <br /> act which would'"show favor towards o eone" r show that any such member`fican be <br /> improperly influenced". Finance Committee r ein ers are appointed for a term certain, n-iuch <br /> like elected officers, and have no expectation or- saran ee of continued membership beyond <br /> their respective-terms of appointment, 1 am aware of no facts which indicate that the subject <br /> Charter Review Committee members could not be fair ajid objectivein their vote on this matter <br /> due to their Current membership on the Finance Committee. The means by which a Finance <br /> Committee member attains his/her member hip on the boder does not, ire nay op inion, contribute <br /> to or detract from any perception of that member being improperly infl enc d while executillor <br /> his/her official dudes. Accordinarly, 1 perceive no "'appearance ofconflict" by virtue of'the two <br /> ex 006o Finance Committ& designees to the Charter Review Committee ttee voting oil a proposed <br /> amendment to the Charter which coUld convert the Finance Committee from an appointed to a <br /> elected body. <br /> For the reasons set forth herejn it,is my opinion that there is Ah ing inappropriate of <br /> violation of any provision of G. L. c.268A related to the May 12, 2014 vote of the Charter <br /> Review Committee on the issue of whetfi r the Finance Committee-should be converted from ars <br /> appointed to an elected body of the Town. Please feel free to contact me if YOU have any further <br /> questions in this regard. <br /> 5 <br /> truly yours, <br /> i <br /> i <br /> 5 <br /> ti <br /> trick-J. Costello <br /> PJC tap <br /> e : Town Manacler <br /> Town Clerk <br />