06/06/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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2 *Tuesday,June 6, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* Chair John Miller discussed inquiring about a possible board secretary. He has already reached out to Human Resources for recommendations. Corrections were made to the Charter Review Committee member contact information sheet and copies were distributed via email or hard copy. The Charter Review Committee has a distinct page on the Town website. It's listed under Boards and Committees for east navigation. The page gives a brief description on what the committee is. It explains the language of the charter, list committee members, provides minutes and other updates and material. New Business Committee member assessment/review/suggested actions. David Weeden commented on the new Town Seal.The Town has done great work revising the Town Seal and he suggest putting a preamble in the Charter reflecting the Town History and mentioning the Tribe as well. Mary Waygan asked if other Towns have preambles in there charters. John Miller mentioned that the Constitution of the United States has a preamble. Article#1 Section 1.1 Incorporation. David Weeden said that prior to 1870 Mashpee had a Select Board and it is not captured in the Incorporation. A question for Counsel would be how we copyright Mashpee. There may be a conflict considering the Tribe and the Town of Mashpee be a municipal corporation. It was mentioned that Selectmen should be updated to Select Board throughout the entire charter. Section 1.6 Intergovernmental Relations. David Weeden commented on intergovernmental relations specifically pertaining to the Town and the Tribe working together. Language showing the support of the relationship together should be added. Now that there is a federally recognize tribe the charter should include the Town and Tribe's participation and collaboration in financing and/or contracting. It would specifically mention the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe but wouldn't restrict the Town from collaborating with other tribes. Town Manager Rodney Collins suggest that legal counsel for the Town and the Tribe's legal counsel provide the Committee with the language for intergovernmental relations. Don Meyers asked how this would work regarding the public school and contracting with other Tribes. Further discussion will be had with legal counsel. Section 1.7 Definitions.Catherine Lewis asked if it would be more consistent to change the word"charter" to instrument. There was discussion about the definition of Local Newspaper with regard to electronic communication for public meetings. Change Board of Selectmen definition. It needs to be changed to Select Board Town Bulletin Boards, the charter should expand the definition to require meeting agendas be posted electronically on the website.