MASHPEE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
MONDAY, JULY 29, 2013
WAQUOIT MEETING ROOM – TOWN HALL
Present: Ed Larkin, Terrie Cook, Chuck Gasior, Richard Halpern, Scott McGee, Don Myers (arrived 6:50 p.m.), Mike Richardson, and Wayne Taylor.
Absent: Mary Waygan.
Also: Joyce Mason – Town Manager
Tom Mayo – Assistant Town Manager
Deb Dami – Town Clerk
Ed Larkin, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and stated that only Sections 1 and 2 of the Charter would be reviewed at tonight’s meeting since review of Section 3 is expected to be a time-consuming task.
Approval of Minutes
Mike Richardson motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 6, 2013.
Chuck Gasior seconded the motion.
VOTE: 7-0.
Roll call Vote:
Scott McGee, yes Ed Larkin, yes
Mike Richardson, yes Terrie Cook, yes
Wayne Taylor, yes Chuck Gasior, yes
Richard Halpern, yes
Wayne Taylor motioned to approve the Public Hearing minutes of July 1, 2013.
Richard Halpern seconded the motion.
VOTE: 6-Yes; 1-Abstain.
Roll call Vote:
Chuck Gasior, yes Wayne Taylor, yes
Terrie Cook, yes Mike Richardson, abstain
Ed Larkin, yes Scott McGee, yes
Richard Halpern, yes
New Business
Section 1 Review
Sec 1-7(o) – Town Bulletin Boards. Include Town Website under Town Bulletin Boards category. Consensus of the Committee is that Board of Selectmen may designate the Town Website as a Town Bulletin Board.
Action: Charter Review to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to designate Town Website as one of the Town Bulletin Boards.
Section 1 Review (continued)
Sec 1-7(p) – Town Officer. In reviewing the description, the Committee noted that Town Clerk is an elected Officer, but is not the only Town Officer—for instance, Chief of Police is a Town Officer who is appointed.
Section 2 Review
Sec 2-2 – Presiding Officer. When Moderator is elected or re-elected then he has to appoint a Deputy Moderator at first Town Meeting.
Action: Request to be made to the Moderator to announce the appointment at the Town Meeting to keep public informed that the selection has been made.
Sec 2-5 – Special Meeting. Special meeting may be held on the petition of 200 or more voters. What is the process to change the “200” voters number?
Action: Process to be clarified by a Charter Attorney. Proposed change to go to Town Meeting for 2/3 vote; to go to Attorney General for approval; and to go to Town ballot vote for approval…but in which preferential order and what is the time element?
Sec 2-7(b) – Referral. Charter states that following receipt of any proposed warrant article…a copy is to be posted on Town Bulletin Board.
Action: Committee suggests maybe this be amended:
- So that a list could be on the Bulletin Board showing warrant articles that were received and that the complete article can be viewed at Town Clerk’s Office; or
- Perhaps a screen could be placed at the bulletin board for individuals to scan through the virtual board.
Perhaps (1) and/or (2) could be done without any amendment since intent is to do the right thing.
Sec 2-10 – Rules of Procedure. Any voter or taxpayer has the right to speak at Town Meeting.
Action: What controls are or should be in place to ensure only voters participating in vote process.
Sec 2-11 – Report to the Voters. Printing and postage of reports/warrants expensive. Perhaps these reports could be made available at Town building sites; published on Town Website; etc.
Action: Perhaps other Charter(s) cover providing reports, etc. electronically or by other means.
Next Meeting - Monday, August 26, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in Waquoit Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Adjournment
Motion made by Mr. Taylor to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
Motion seconded by Mr. Richardson.
VOTE: ~Unanimous. ~8-0.
Roll call Vote:
Scott McGee, yes Ed Larkin, yes
Mike Richardson, yes Terrie Cook, yes
Wayne Taylor, yes Chuck Gasior, yes
Richard Halpern, yes Don Myers, yes
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti, Recording Secretary
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