11/06/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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3 *Monday, November 6, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* this. We can acknowledge the renewed cultural awareness of the Town without mentioning the Seal. John Miller said in my experience the preamble to anything its brief and that while the perspective of history is relevant and appropriate he doesn't believe the reference to history is appropriate for the Charter. It is not purpose of charter to teach the people about the towns' past. Don Myers said the sample preambles don't explain or reference charter.There is more than just the tribe here, it's we the people collectively. He said he doesn't see "we the people" represented. John Miller said he had made the observation himself. This is not the Charter of the Wampanoag Tribe this is the Town of Mashpee Charter. The Charter should be representative of everyone. John Miller also submitted a proposed preamble. Cathy Lewis thinks that if you take David Weeden's original version and shorten it by taking out the middle paragraph but somehow incorporating self-governance. There are some words in John Millers version that she doesn't like. The Committee further discussed amending the preamble examples and how to incorporate John Millers version of the preamble with David Weeden's version(s). The charter should be amended to include the preamble and to somehow unify the preambles while giving some historical recognition. Don Myers further commented that he is not questioning referencing the history but wonders if the Charter is the right place for it. Mary Waygan said she liked the first sentence of the preamble presented by John and said the preamble should allure to the charter being how we conduct our government. Start off with John's first sentence then condense David's version. Cathy Lewis said that version three of David's preamble puts more focus on the preamble than the Charter as a whole. David Weeden said he would suggest maybe taking out the section about the original charter. Cathy Lewis suggested "we the people of Mashpee affirm this home rule Charter, in recognition of the rich historical tapestry that has woven the Town of Mashpee". John Miller added that the Committee needs to craft something that is not going to me subject to major wordsmithing at Town Meeting and that recognizes historical significance of the people. Cathy Lewis also said that she doesn't think that the committee will need to justify the inclusion of a preamble. Don Myers said the preamble should be able to stand alone, people should be able to read it, appreciate it and say I see myself included in this.