Mashpee Charter Commission

Present: E. Larkin, J. Bacigalupi, R. Halpern, R. Maney, C. Gasior, D. Arden, and J. Blumengarten.

Absent: C. Bowmar-Perry, and W. Freeman.

Invited participants: Attorney Mike Curran, Consultant.

Audience: None.

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

Approval of Minutes

Ruth Maney motioned to accept the minutes of April 10, 2003 as presented; this motion was seconded by Jerry Blumengarten and was unanimously approved.

Discussion

Mike Curran distributed a draft “model” of Article 6 – Finance and Fiscal Procedures. Mike also detailed the laws and explained in-depth requirements for submission of budgets and the budgeting processes. During the discussion of the draft “model” of Article 6, Mike mentioned that one thing that is key is Paragraph6.6(c)—Action by Town Meeting.

Following discussion, the following were mentioned as perhaps items to be discussed in future:

• Strengthen Office of Selectmen?
• Educate voters on budget.
• Budget should stipulate impact it would have on taxpayers if passed.
• Reporting standards?

• Department of Finance?
• Possibility of Director of Assessing to be appointed by Board of Assessors?
• Increase Treasurer/Tax Collector term from 1 to 3 years?

Town Meeting

Ed reminded everyone that the Annual Town Meeting will be held May 5 and that the Charter Commission has an Article on the Warrant requesting the needed funding for printing, legal, and secretarial expenses.

Next Meeting

Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Topic: Overall Scope the Proposed Charter Seems to Take.

ADJOURNMENT

Ruth motioned to adjourn the meeting; Jerry seconded the motion; and it was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti, Recording Secretary