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Selectmen propose governance review committee to study charter, town meeting and board structure
Summary
The board voted to begin recruiting volunteers for a governance review committee to study municipal structure, consider town meeting vs. deliberative session, and examine master plan use; the committee would receive a charge and operate similarly to the prior fire station committee.
Selectmen discussed creating a volunteer governance review committee to study the town’s form of government, board composition and whether to adopt or return to town meeting procedures.
Selectman (name not specified) said the review should be treated like the previous fire‑station committee: give the group a charge, then allow members to research and report back. The board discussed asking the committee to consider a return to a town meeting, examine whether town meeting or deliberative session better serves residents, and review how the master plan is used in land‑use decisions.
Why it matters: the topic affects how the town sets policy and how residents directly participate in major decisions. Board members said past public confusion about large warrant articles and insufficient public understanding prompted the discussion.
The board agreed to recruit volunteers and keep the charge broad so the committee can recommend whether town meeting, charter changes or other governance reforms should be pursued. Selectmen emphasized they would not prescribe locations or outcomes but would provide touchpoints and guidelines and expect the committee to return with a recommendation before any warrant action.
Next steps: staff will include a volunteer sign‑up in town communications and the board will bring a formal charge for the committee to a future meeting.
