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Barnstable County weighs elected charter commission as one route to overhaul county government
Summary
Commissioners heard legal guidance on four methods to amend the county charter and debated whether to pursue an elected charter commission, home‑rule petition, or internal review. Counsel said an elected charter commission could propose wholesale structural changes that would go to voters.
Barnstable County commissioners opened a broad discussion about whether to pursue a formal charter review and what process would be appropriate.
Michelle, the county legal adviser, laid out four paths for amending the county’s home‑rule charter: an elected charter commission, a home‑rule petition to the state legislature, assembly‑initiated submission of charter changes to the ballot, and more limited assembly‑or board‑driven amendments. "There are four methods to amend the county's charter," Michelle said, adding that the elected commission path allows a charter…
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