08/14/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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z *Monday, August 14, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* Cathy Lewis asked if written minutes required by law. Rodney Collins said that the audio recording would not replace the written minutes but if someone were to question the written minutes you can always go back to the recording. The Committee discussed which board or committees would be subject to audio recording their meetings. If a committee's meetings are not televise an audio recording of the minutes should be required. This also brings into question the budgeting cost for government media and who would be the person responsible for audio capturing the minutes (Chair or secretary). The recordings would be kept on file with the Town Clerk. Cathy Lewis suggested in terms of meeting recordings the Town should refer to its agreement with Mashpee TV to assist with the recording of minutes. Don Myers questioned if the Charter is the appropriate place for the requirement. The Committee will also need to refer to record retention laws for further incite on audio recordings of the minutes. 7.9 Removals and Suspension The Committee discussed revising the following language under Removals and Suspension: The term cause shall include, but not be limited to the following: incapacity other than temporary illness, inefficiency, insubordination and conduct unbecoming the office. Any appointed officer, member of a multiple member body or employee of the town may be suspended from office by the officer or multiple member body which appoints such officers, members of multiple member bodies, or employees, if such action is deemed by said appointing authority to be necessary to protect the interests of the town. However, no suspension shall be for more than fifteen (15) days. Suspension may be concurrent with removal and shall not interfere with the rights of the officer or employee under the removal procedure given below. The appointing authority when removing any such officer, member of a multiple member body or employee of the town shall act in accordance with the following procedure: It was suggested that the terms suspension verses removal should be better defined and that the cause of the suspension term should include additional language such as dishonesty. Cathy Lewis proposed potentially separating the definitions of suspension and removal, furthermore having the process defined in both sections. The process for suspension and the process for removal should be separate. David Weeden suggested specifying what would be cause for immediate removal or suspension. Rodney Collins clarified that this change of language would pertain to appointed positions. Note: Any appointed town officer, member of a multiple member body or employee of the town, not subject to the provisions of the state civil service law, or covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement; The Committee will refer to legal counsel for further guidance.