Charter Commission Presentation On Thursday Evening

 HARWICH – The charter commission has met approximately 50 times in the past year to debate ways to improve the document that defines how town government functions. On Thursday evening, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the hearing room at town hall, the commission will make a presentation to the public on its proposed changes. 

 “All of this is about tightening up, finding clarity and conciseness so people won’t be coming back with different interpretations," Chair Linda Cebula said. 

Changes and adjustments include changing the town administrator title to town manager and giving the select board the power to remove appointed members of boards and committees for non-compliance with terms of appointment or failure to comply with town and state provisions. Lengthy provisions that impact capital planning are also included. There are also major provisions added to the role the Brooks Free Library Trustees play in the function of the library. The document calls for a separate town meeting article to fund the creation of any new full or part-time employee position, rather than funding buried in the budget, said Cebula.

What is not in the document is a proposed charter review, arbitration and compliance commission, said Cebula. That proposal drew some heat from the select board in a session a few weeks ago. While not in the draft, text of the provision will be available for discussion at the meeting as the commission wants feedback on the proposal.