Charter Review Committee Debates Reorganization, Nears Final Document

Proposal to reorder executive and legislative branches voted down as fall town meeting deadline looms

PLYMOUTH, MA - June 18 - The Charter Review Committee engaged in a lengthy debate Thursday night over potentially reorganizing the structure of the town's charter document, ultimately voting down a proposal to change the order of chapters on executive and legislative branches.

Committee member Martha Vautrain proposed moving the legislative branch to Chapter 2 and the executive branch to Chapter 3 in the revised charter. The current structure has town-wide elected boards and officers in Chapter 2 and the representative town meeting in Chapter 3.

"I see executive and legislative as more important," Vautrain said in explaining her rationale for the change.

However, other committee members expressed concerns about making major structural changes so late in the revision process. The committee has been working on updating the charter for 18 months.

"We're at the point where we have to have a document that we can start writing the articles for the warrant for town meeting pretty quickly," said committee member Len Levin.

The committee voted 7-2 against Vautrain's proposed reorganization.

A key point of contention was where to place the town moderator position within the new structure. Vautrain argued the moderator should be part of the legislative branch.

"I see his prime role as being with the legislative branch," she said.

Others countered that the moderator has responsibilities beyond just town meeting and should remain listed under town-wide elected officials.

Committee member Steve Bolotin said the current structure was designed to be more intuitive for residents trying to understand town government.

"I tried to relate it in that same way," Bolotin said, referring to organizing it similar to how the federal government is structured.

The debate highlighted ongoing differences of opinion among committee members as they near completion of the charter revision process.

The committee aims to finalize the charter document at its next meeting on June 25. This would allow time to prepare warrant articles for fall town meeting. The warrant opens on July 23 and closes Aug. 9.

Committee Chair Alan Costello emphasized the importance of reaching consensus on a final document.

"It's gonna be critical in the precinct caucuses that we have a united front on this thing," Costello said.

Members were asked to review the latest draft and submit any final proposed changes to the committee clerk before the next meeting.

The committee plans to take a final vote on the complete charter document on June 25, barring any major new issues arising. This would allow time to draft the necessary warrant articles for town meeting consideration of the revised charter.