Mashpee Charter Commission

Present: E. Larkin, D. Arden, J. Bacigalupi, R. Maney, J. Blumengarten, C. Bowmar-Perry, C. Gasior, R. Halpern, and W. Freeman.

Invited participants: Attorney Mike Curran, Consultant.

Audience: Bea Perkins, League of Women Voters.

A quorum being present, Ed Larkin, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Public Comments …None.

Approval of Minutes

Cathy Bowmar-Perry motioned to accept the minutes of July 24, 2003 as presented; this motion was seconded by Ruth Maney and was unanimously approved, except Richard Halpern and Warren Freeman abstained.

Discussion

Draft Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 for inclusion in the Charter Preliminary Report were reviewed and discussed in detail. Articles 5 and 6 are scheduled to be reviewed at the next Charter Commission meeting on September 3rd.

In reviewing the Articles changes and edits were made, including the following major revisions and comments:

• Article 1 … Unanimously decided to add paragraph from Sandwich Charter to Section 1-3. Mike Curran was given the text to incorporate into the document.
• Article 2 … Unanimously approved to replace first paragraph of Section 2-7 with Chatham’s language and also to restore paragraphs (b)-Referral and (c)-Inclusion on Warrant to this section. The remaining paragraphs in this section to be labeled as (d), (e) and (f).
• Article 2 … Section 2-11 add “and the financial impact to the taxpayer” to be added.
• Mike Curran will draft the summary letter to accompany the Preliminary Report. The summary letter to explain Articles and reasoning – for example elected versus appointed Boards or Committees. The letter will also ask residents for their feedback.

The following issues were discussed and formal votes taken and made of record.

Elect or Appoint Board of Assessors
Vote to Appoint…E. Larkin, D. Arden, J. Bacigalupi, R. Maney, J. Blumengarten, C. Gasior, and R. Halpern.
Vote to Elect…C. Bowmar-Perry, and W. Freeman.

Elect or Appoint Finance Committee
Vote to Appoint…E. Larkin, D. Arden, J. Bacigalupi, R. Maney, J. Blumengarten, C. Gasior, R. Halpern, and W. Freeman.
Vote to Elect…C. Bowmar-Perry.

Elect or Appoint Board of Health
Vote to Appoint…E. Larkin, D. Arden, J. Bacigalupi, R. Maney, J. Blumengarten, C. Bowmar-Perry, R. Halpern, and W. Freeman.
Vote to Elect…C. Gasior.

Elect or Appoint Sewer Commission
Unanimous Vote to appoint and to be appointed by Board of Selectmen.

Term of Moderator
Unanimous Vote to increase term to 3 years.

Title of Town Administrator
Unanimous Vote the title of administrator of the town should be Town Manager.

Action Items

• Ed to contact Jim Long with request for Charter Commission to make presentation at Senior Center on September 27.
• Ruth will handle New Seabury group.
• Ed going to appear on FOCUS on October 1. Ed also going to address Mashpee Women’s Club.

Wednesday, September 3, 2003, 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Thursday, September 4, 2003, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, if necessary.

ADJOURNMENT

Ruth motioned to adjourn the meeting; Richard seconded the motion; and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti, Recording Secretary