MASHPEE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013
WAQUOIT MEETING ROOM – TOWN HALL
Present: Ed Larkin, Terrie Cook, Chuck Gasior, Scott McGee, Mike Richardson, Don Myers, Richard Halpern, Wayne Taylor, and Mary Waygan (arrived 6:32 p.m.).
Also: Tom Mayo – Assistant Town Manager
Ed Larkin, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Mike Richardson motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of November 25, 2013.
Wayne Taylor seconded the motion.
VOTE: 8-Yes.
Roll call Vote:
Don Myers, yes Richard Halpern, yes
Chuck Gasior, yes Mike Richardson, yes
Terrie Cook, yes Wayne Taylor, yes
Ed Larkin, yes Scott McGee, yes
Citizen Participation…none.
New Business
Issues Raised by Committee Members
Highlights of issues raised by Committee members included the following:
- Richard Halpern stated he is not in favor of creating a Charter report. He pointed out that Sec 7-7(a) requires the Charter Review Committee to submit a report which would concern proposed amendments. Ed Larkin said the report he suggested is not required. He just suggested doing it as a means of clarifying any questions the public raises in understanding “intent” of Charter articles.
- Don Myers and several Committee members stated it is up to Town Counsel to provide “intent” of Charter when questions arise.
- Chuck Gasior noted that when the original Charter was adopted questions submitted were addressed and clarified at a Public Hearing and copies of those legal opinions were offered.
- Mary Waygan expressed her strong view that Sec 1-7(o) should be a change to the Charter to clearly spell out that the Board of Selectmen may designate website as a Town Bulletin Board or whatever designation they can make in the future to be considered a Town Bulletin Board. Mary read aloud the proposed definition of Town Bulletin Board drafted by Ed Larkin.
- Don Myers said that Sec 1-7(o) should include e-mail as well.
Issues Raised by Committee Members (continued)
Motion: Scott McGee motioned the Charter Review Committee is to produce a report of 2 parts at the end of this process according to Sec 7-7(a).
Discussion: Sec 7-7(a) would cover proposed Charter amendments only.
Motion: Mary Waygan motioned to amend the previous motion to state the report would consist of 2 parts. Part one would be to recommend to Town Meeting amendments to the Charter in compliance with Sec 7-7(a); and part two to be a consensus of the Committee’s responses to comments made by the Public and the Committee regarding the Charter.
Don Myers seconded the amended Motion.
VOTE: 7-Yes; 2-No.
Roll call Vote:
Don Myers, yes Richard Halpern, no
Chuck Gasior, yes Mike Richardson, yes
Terrie Cook, yes Wayne Taylor, no
Ed Larkin, yes Scott McGee, yes
Mary Waygan, yes
Terrie Cook asked why Wayne and Rich voted “no”. Wayne responded that he questions what is being accomplished; how are we going to respond to the Public; what is the second report document going to look like; and how are we going to reconcile Committee viewpoint differences. Rich said it was a 2-part motion. One part on 7-7(a) is our requirement. If second part is a report on what we are doing, that’s not what we’re supposed to be doing. We should be looking at what are the important changes to the Charter.
Review Action List
It was finally decided to go through Sec 1 through Sec 3 of the Charter and note whether Action Items should be placed on a “Possible Amendment” list, or a “To be Amended” list, or to be deleted from the Action List, or to be kept on the Action List. After all Articles of the Charter have been reviewed, then these categorized lists will be reviewed again for further disposition. The status will be maintained on the “Action List” document.
Next Meeting: 6:30 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2014 in Waquoit Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Adjournment…
Motion: Don Myers motioned to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
Wayne Taylor seconded the motion.
VOTE: 9-Yes.
Roll call Vote:
Don Myers, yes Mike Richardson, yes Chuck Gasior, yes Wayne Taylor, yes
Terrie Cook, yes Scott McGee, yes
Ed Larkin, yes Mary Waygan, yes
Richard Halpern, yes
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti
Recording Secretary
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