Assembly approves amendment to charter‑review resolution; committee to receive delegate input

The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates voted unanimously to amend its charter‑review resolution by adding a section directing the standing Committee on Government Regulations to submit a list of key topics or concerns for the Charter Review Committee to consider.

Delegate Brian O’Malley (Provincetown) moved the amendment and read proposed language that would require the committee of committee chairs to compile issues raised by delegates and send that list to the Charter Review Committee “for approval, with or without amendment.” Delegate John Fuller seconded the motion. Several delegates sought clarification about whether the amendment would change the committee’s size; assembly parliamentarians and the deputy speaker explained the amendment would add a new section to the previously adopted resolution, leaving the charter‑review committee’s seven‑member composition unchanged by this vote.

After questions and procedural clarifications, the assembly conducted a roll‑call vote; the clerk recorded unanimous approval. The effect of the vote is to create a formal channel for delegates to send written recommendations through committee chairs to the Charter Review Committee; the Charter Review Committee retains latitude to consider additional topics as it deems necessary. Delegates and staff discussed next steps, including whether the assembly will consider hiring special counsel for charter review (the assembly chair noted an RFP for assembly legal counsel is live through county procurement).