CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Chatham

Charter Review Committee Section 8-2 Periodic Charter Review  At least once every five years a special committee shall be appointed by the board of selectmen for the purpose of reviewing the provisions of the charter and to make a report concerning any proposed amendments or revisions which such committee deems necessary. April 2014 – Committee members were appointed by the BOS. May 2015 – Committee will make recommendations to Town Meeting.

Committee Members Appointed by the Board of Selectmen Jamie Bassett Kay Bryce Jack Cogswell (4/13 – 10/14) Shareen Davis Doug Hamilton Paul Semple Judy Thomas Tim Weller

Charter Chatham Home Rule Charter is Chatham’s “constitution”. Adopted in 1995 by a 2/3 vote at Town Meeting and a majority vote in a general election. Amended in 2001 and Charter provisions take precedence over any other town rules, regulations or by-laws.

Charter Provisions Affirm that the legislative powers of the town are vested in an open town meeting. The executive branch, headed by Selectmen and the Town Manager, is responsible for all administrative decisions. Set forth the administrative organization of town government in town departments, boards, commissions and committees. Establish the budget process.

Chatham’s Government Structure Voters / Annual Town Meeting Moderator Board of Selectmen Finance Committee Boards & Commissions Town Manager Operating Departments

Legislative Branch Town Meeting Adopts budgets Authorizes expenditures Adopts By-Laws Approves Charter revisions by a 2/3 majority vote

Executive Branch Selectmen  Appoint Town Manager  Provide policy direction and management oversight  Appoint town boards, commissions and committees Town Manager  Prepares budgets  Appoints department heads  Approves contracts  Manages all Town operations

Our Committee’s Process Conducted 34 meetings Interviewed:  Current and former Selectmen  Current and former Town Managers  Town Counsel  Town Moderator  Finance Committee Solicited and received public comment. Reviewed charters of other Cape towns. Reviewed each section of the Charter, using input from the public and interviews. Prepared a draft Charter identifying all recommended changes.

We continue to support Most provisions of the current Charter  The form of government outlined has served Chatham well for 20 years. Strong Town Manager form of government  Strong professional management is required to provide leadership and direction in an era of complexity in government and inter-government relations.

Suggestions we considered but do not recommend Reduce the authority of the Town Manager. Elect members of some committees and boards. Create an elected Town Appointment Board to make appointments to committees and boards. Establish term limits for committee and board members. Rename the Finance Committee. Establish a subcommittee of the BOS as a disciplinary review board for Town employees.

Recommendations for change Section 2-8 Insure non-binding articles are clearly identified at Town Meeting. The exercise of the legislative power by a vote of town meeting shall be presumed to be binding, to the extent permitted by law, and shall be implemented by a designated town agency or department in conformance with the law or such vote. Upon the introduction of every non-binding warrant article at town meeting, the moderator shall state the article is non binding, to the extent feasible.

Recommendations for change Section 3-2(c) Provide additional specificity and transparency for Selectmen’s and Moderator’s appointment process. The board of selectmen shall appoint members of boards, commissions or committees for which no other appointment provision is made in this charter. To ensure a diverse representation, including without limitation diversity as to age, gender, experience and philosophy, the board of selectmen shall endeavor, to the extent practical and feasible, to make a concerted effort to solicit prospective diverse, qualified persons when filling vacancies for appointment to a board, commission or committee.

Recommendations for change Section 3-2(c) continued Provide additional specificity and transparency for Selectmen’s and Moderator’s appointment process. To further promote a maximum level of diverse, qualified citizen participation, the board of selectmen shall announce all vacancies and expiring terms that are to be filled and, for boards and committees that are created via this charter or the town’s General bylaws, the selectmen shall annually, and with monthly updates as needed, publish such vacancies and expiring terms electronically and via newspapers and by other means as may be appropriate.

Recommendations for change Section 6-2 Require a long term facilities plan to identify the cost to maintain and/or replace all Town owned facilities The town manager shall submit a five-year capital improvement program to the board of selectmen and the finance committee at the date fixed by bylaw for the submission of the proposed operating budget unless some other time is provided by bylaw. The capital improvement program shall contain information regarding the cost of such program including a schedule of the existing principal and interest owed by the town. In addition, at least once every 10 years, a long-term facility master plan shall be created and/or updated for each of the major facility groups including but not limited to buildings, roads, sewer, water, storm drains, landings and piers, sidewalks, and parking facilities showing all major capital investments anticipated for the ensuing years. Year one of the five-year capital improvements program shall be submitted as the capital improvements budget with the operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year.

Recommendations for change (continued) Administrative orders are posted to Town web site. Updated the Charter to reflect the Monomoy Regional School Committee agreement. Qualifications for Town Manager may come from private or public sector work experience. Specifies that the Finance Committee must make a recommendation to Town Meeting on all warrant articles.

Approval Steps Town meeting considers changes to Charter, which must pass by a 2/3 vote. State Attorney General considers changes, making sure they comply with state law. Citizens consider changes to Charter, which must pass by a majority vote in a general election.

WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AT TOWN MEETING Charter Review Committee