Mashpee Charter Commission

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

Absent: R. Maney, and R. Halpern.

Invited participants: Attorney Mike Curran, Consultant.

Audience: Bea Perkins-League of Women Voters; Alan Samry-Mashpee Enterprise.

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

Public Comments…None.

Approval of Minutes

Juan Bacigalupi motioned to accept the minutes of August 21, 2003 as presented; this motion was seconded by Dean Arden and was unanimously approved.

Discussion

Draft Articles 5, 6, and 8 for inclusion in the Charter Preliminary Report were reviewed and discussed, along with items to be added and/or included in the transitional provisions. On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was decided that language should be added to the transitional provisions to specify that within 24 months from adoption of the Charter the Town reorganization will be done. In addition, discussion was held on the importance of the Town having some type of committee or mechanism whereby School Committee, Selectmen, and Town Administration meet to communicate needs, requirements, etc.—not just at budget time. Chuck will provide the wording to Mike Curran that is to be added to transitional provisions.

Based on consensus reached by the Commissioners, Mike Curran will edit and prepare the Preliminary Report, which he’ll forward to Ed to be published in the Mashpee Enterprise on September 12. Mashpee Enterprise will be given the material on disk, as well as in hard copy.

Following review and discussion, following motions were made regarding Articles to be included in the Preliminary Report and voted on as follows:

• Juan motioned to accept Article 1; this was seconded by Cathy; and unanimously passed.
• Juan motioned to accept Article 2; this was seconded by Dean; and unanimously passed.
• Cathy motioned to accept Article 3; this was seconded by Warren; and unanimously passed.
• Juan motioned to accept Article 4; this was seconded by Jerry; and unanimously passed.
• Jerry motioned to accept Article 5; this was seconded by Juan; and unanimously passed.
• Dean motioned to accept Article 6 as modified; this was seconded by Chuck; and unanimously passed.
• Juan motioned to accept Article 7; this was seconded by Cathy; and unanimously passed.
• Juan motioned to accept Article 8 as modified; this was seconded by Dean; and unanimously passed.

The Commissioners then reviewed and edited the draft cover letter to accompany the Preliminary Report. Juan motioned to accept the draft letter as edited; Warren seconded this motion; and it was unanimously passed.

Public Comments: Alan Samry-Mashpee Enterprise asked where else the Preliminary Report will be available. Response: Library; Town Clerk’s Office; hopefully Senior Center; and on Charter Web Site. Also will be reviewed at Public Hearing which is scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2003, Town Hall Meeting Rooms 1 and 2.

Bea Perkins mentioned that the League of Women Voters would discuss the Charter Preliminary Report at their September 24 meeting.

Meeting Schedule

Thursday, September 18, 2003, 7 p.m. at Town Hall – Charter Commission Meeting.

Thursday, September 25, 2003, 7 p.m. at Town Hall – Public Hearing.

ADJOURNMENT

Juan motioned to adjourn the meeting; Cathy seconded the motion; and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti, Recording Secretary