10/23/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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*APPROVED* (10-30-2023) 1 *Monday, October 23, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* &MWu .p„41f -IIMg + A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES Monday, October 23, 2023 Waquoit Meet Room — Mashpee Town Hall 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee, MA 02649 6:30 pm Convene Meeting in Open Session Present: Chair John Miller, Clerk Don Myers, Rodney C. Collins, Darlene Furbush, Catherine Lewis (arrived 6:45), Gregory McKelvey, Carol A. Sherman, Mary Waygan Absent: David Weeden ?ledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence Public Comment Edward Larkin stated that the "Preamble" proposed for the Charter isn't the Charter Review Committee's duty —should be the Historical Commission Point Counter Point A ointed Elec#ed Town Clerks Elected Brewster Town Clerk Collette Williams: Stated the pros and cons (attached is a summary of the Ms. Williams pros and cons) of an appointed Town Clerk vs. an elected Town Clerk. An appointed Town Clerk doesn't necessarily live in Town — people didn't like taking the elected Town Clerk position away, but there was no Charter in Brewster at the time and the Town Meeting vote was close (250 yes 212 no). Brewster has since adopted a Town Charter and the Town Clerk has remained an appointed position. Ms. Williams said that she sees both sides, she is appointed but worked for 3 elected clerks prior to her appointment. It is a 50/50 split on Cape Cod. There are so many laws to keep up with voting regulation changes. If just elected, the Town Clerk may not have the background to handle the workload. By popular vote, there can be an elected clerk with no experience or accountability. If appointed, accountability is to a Town Manager, if elected it is to the voters. Town Manager has no power to force an elected person to come into work. If appointed, the Town Manager can oversee the Town Clerk. If appointed, the Town Clerk would be required to go to Dept. Head meetings etc. Elected Town Clerks can't be required to attend those type of things. In a small town an election can be a popularity contest instead of one about qualifications. If Town Clerk has someone to report to than work can get done.