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Article 3,Section 3-7,Paragraph A—Planning Board, from five (5) years to four (4) years in order to coin- composition, Mode of Election, Term of Office will cide and be consistent with a bi-annual election for- be amended by the following language to change the mat. length of term for this elected position: The change in terms would start with a transition "terms of four years" will replace current language period with the first bi-annual elections to be held in of"term of three years" November 2013. Elected positions whose terms would start in November 2013 will be determined by Article 3, Section 3-8, Paragraph A — Mashpee a random drawing to be held no later than January 4, Composition, Mode of 2013. The remaining unexpired terms for all currently Housing Authority, Appointment and Election, Term of Office will be elected positions would be adjusted accordingly based amended by the following language to change the on the results of the random drawing to coincide with elected position: the new bi-annual election format (i.e., a term that is length of term for this p currently set to expire in May of 2013 would be "terms of four years" will replace current language extended to November 2013). of"term of three years Motion made and seconded to dispense with read- or take any other action relating thereto. ing of Article. Submitted by Petition The Board of Selectmen takes no position by a vote of 5-0. Explanation: This article would move the annual Town general election which is held on the first Motion: I move Article 26 as printed in the warrant. Saturday in May following the Town's Annual Meeting (which typically places the general election Motion: I make a motion to amend to replace the first on Mother's Day weekend) to November effective in paragraph in Article 26 which firmly states to see if 2013. This would also change the Town general elec- the town will vote to amend article 2.1 the Annual tions from being held annually to being held bi-annual Town Meeting and Election of the Town's bylaws and every two (2) years in the odd-numbered years (i.e., Article 3 of the Mashpee Town Charter as follows,this 2013, 2015, etc.), opposite the even years (i.e., 2014, would be replaced by the following text: 2016, etc.) when there are Massachusetts State elec- tions. The historical turnout for the May Town elec- To see if the Town will vote to take the following tion has been very low compared to the number of actions people voting in the November State and Presidential elections. This change would also reduce some of the 1. Amend article 2.1 Annual Town meeting and costs incurred by the Town for holding an election election of the towns bylaws each May and then again in some years in November, a savings to the Town of approximately $5,000. This 2. Petition the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to change would also reduce the impact on the Schools enact a home rule special act to make changes by eliminating a day during the school week that was concerning the length of terms for elected officials Previously needed to setup the election equipment in contained in Article 3 of the Home Rule Charter May. of the Town of Mashpee, the changes are outlined as listed in the Article. The terms for all elected officials on the multi-mem- ber bodies (Board of Selectmen, School Committee Motion to amend is defeated at 9:44 PM. and Planning Board) would change from three (3) Years to four(4) in order to coincide with a bi-annual Motion made to indefinitely postpone at 9:44 PM. election format. The terms for singular positions in the Town government structure(Town Clerk and Town Motion to indefinitely postpone passes at 9:44 PM. Moderator) would change from three (3) years to two (2)Years. The terms for elected officials on the multi- Town meeting adjourned at 9:44 PM. member Mashpee Housing Authority would change r� 87