08/18/2025 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

Home Browse Search

CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Regular Session Minutes August 18,2025 Members went line-by-line through a consolidated list of pending and outstanding Charter items,starting with item #16. "Holds" were placed by members wishing to revisit/resolve particular issues; all other items were deemed to be closed, unless reopened by the Select Board or resident petition. Items "held" for further discussion were as follows: 1. Budget Request Submission Deadlines (item 17):To clarify/change submission dates for budgets, 2. Planning and Construction of Buildings (item 20): To improve clarity/process, possibly involving more expertise or clearer delineation of project management roles. 3. Appearing on Ballot for Only One Town Office(item 22): Discussion on preventing one person from running for multiple offices in the same election. 4. Finance Committee Elected vs. Appointed (item 24): Reconsidering the current method of selection. 5. Zoning Board of Appeals Elected vs.Appointed (item 25): As above. 6. Sewer Commission Elected vs.Appointed (item 26):As above. 7. Term Limits for Elected Officials (Two Terms) (item 27): Clarity on scope (which offices), definition, and enforceability. & Tribal Member Seat Reserved on All Boards/Committees(item 31): Mechanism for ensuring representation, eligibility(e.g., residency), and process for filling vacancies. 9. Add Human Services Department to List of Charter Departments (item 32): Codifying department status in the Charter listing. 10. Publish Warrant in Newspaper vs. Electronic Only(item 35): Legal and practical implications for public notice. 11. Audio/Video Recording of all Meetings (item 37):Codifying requirements for recording meetings for transparency. 12. Clarify"Town Officers" Definition (item 41): Seeking better legal definition. 13. Clarify "Quorum" as Majority of Current Members(item 42): To ensure clear meeting/decision standards. 14. Nonresident Property Owners/Taxpayers Speaking at Town Meeting(item 45): Confirming or changing whether they may address Town Meeting. 15. School Committee CIP Process for Small Expenditures(current$25,000 limit) (item 47):Whether smaller items should require full Capital Improvement Program review. Motion by Waygan that future deliberation by the Charter Review Committee would be limited to the aforementioned items;all other items on the list would be considered closed. Motion seconded by Sherman. Roll Call Vote: 9-0(Unanimous) Miller,yes Sherman,yes McKelvey,yes Furbush,yes Waygan,yes Lewis,yes DWeeden,yes BWeeden,yes Collins,yes It was discussed and decided that future public comment periods will be restricted to the confirmed list of open items. The committee emphasized that the current review cycle,over two years in length, is now in its closing phase for new changes. Additional ideas should be saved for future Charter Review Committee cycles (every 8-10 years) or pursued via other legal routes.