Charter Review Committee

Just as the United States has the Constitution, Mashpee has a Town Charter.

The Charter is the basic, foundational document for the Town of Mashpee.  It defines the organization, powers, functions and essential procedures of our local government as well as the rights of citizens. It outlines everything from the town's name, to town elections, to the process for making rules, procedures and the key criteria for how our town and government operates. 

As a Massachusetts home-rule municipality, the town is bound, by law, to follow its charter. In addition, the charter can only be changed by Town Meeting voters following a periodic review by and recommendations from a Charter Review Committee.  

Per section 7-7 of the Mashpee Town Charter:

Charter Review - At least once in every ten years, beginning in 2013, and thereafter in each year ending in a three, a special committee to consist of nine members shall b established for the purpose of reviewing this charter and to make a report, with recommendations, to the town meeting concerning any proposed amendments which said committee may determine to be necessary or desirable. The committee shall consist of nine members who shall be chosen as follows: the Select Board, the Finance Committee, and the School Committee shall each designate two persons, the Planning Board shall designate one person, and two persons shall be appointed by the Town Moderator. Persons appointed by the said agencies may, but need not, be members of the agency by which they are designated. The committee shall meet to organize forthwith following the final adjournment of the annual town meeting. The committee shall hold a public hearing within thirty days following the date on which it meets to organize and at least one additional public hearing before filing its final report.

You may contact the Charter Review Committee by emailing charterreview@mashpeema.gov

 

MASHPEE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE

Copies of the Town Charter are available in the Town Clerk’s Office.

Comments may be emailed to charterreview@mashpeema.gov prior to the meeting.

Per Order of Mashpee Charter Review Committee

John Miller, Chair

David W. Weeden, Vice-Chair

Don Myers, Clerk

Rodney C. Collins

Darlene Furbush                                

Catherine Lewis

A. Gregory McKelvey

Carol A. Sherman

Mary Waygan

Board Members

NameRepresentingTitleTerm Expires

John Miller

Town Moderator

Chair

Until completion of Charter Review

David Weeden

Select Board

Vice-Chair

Until completion of Charter Review

Don Myers

School Committee

Clerk

Until completion of Charter Review

Rodney C. Collins

Town Moderator

Member

Until completion of Charter Review

Darlene Furbush

Finance Committee

Member

Until completion of Charter Review

Catherine Lewis

School Committee

Member

Until completion of Charter Review

A. Gregory McKelvey

Finance Committee

Member

Until completion of Charter Review

Carol A. Sherman

Select Board

Member

Until completion of Charter Review

Mary Waygan

Planning Board

Member

Until completion of Charter Review

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