Charter Revision Commission endorses newspaper publication, debates print run and report wording

The Charter Revision Commission on Tuesday, May 26 approved draft minutes from its May 4 meeting and moved forward with a two-part publication plan for its near‑80‑page final report: an 18‑page dedicated section in The Sentinel with QR-linked digital access, plus a separate, higher-quality printed booklet run for distribution at libraries, churches and by request, officials said.

Chair said the commission would publish the charter changes and related material "in a local newspaper" to meet state statutory requirements, and that the newspaper section will include a QR code linking readers to the full digital report. The chair added the commission would also produce a limited number of bound booklets for in-person pickup and targeted distribution for residents who prefer hard copies.

Why it matters: the publication step is required by statute for charter revisions and will be a primary vehicle for public notice and voter information ahead of town-council hearings and any ballot action. The commission and town council will use the printed and digital materials to ensure residents can review both the proposed charter language and the commission's rationale.

Commissioners debated two practical questions: how much of the report to include in the newspaper insertion (just the charter amendments or the entire report) and how many higher-quality booklets to print. Chair cited distribution and accessibility factors — including senior residents who may not use digital copies — and proposed both the Sentinel insertion and a modest printed run. One printed estimate discussed at the meeting showed a quoted cost in the range of $5,930 for 2,000 bound booklets from a private printer, plus an insertion fee the commission cited as about $3,750 for The Sentinel’s dedicated section; commissioners noted those figures were budgeted but debated whether fewer hard copies would be more cost-effective.

On readability and layout, commissioners asked the newspaper to test font size and margins; the commission requested a mockup (12‑point type, adjusted gutters) to confirm legibility before finalizing the insertion layout. The Sentinel representative proposed the front page of the section include a QR code that would allow readers to view the full report online and to navigate it one page at a time.

The commission also continued a line‑by‑line review of the draft final report and its redline summaries. Members worked through wording choices on several substantive items, including language that summaries town‑council legislative actions affecting town‑owned property could be "subject to public referendum," and new term‑limit text that would impose a 12‑year consecutive limit for appointed town officers. Commissioners left some phrasing in place for later refinement — citing the need to avoid misleading summary wording for casual readers — and agreed to standardize phrasing across sections (for example, how partial or unexpired terms count toward the 12‑year limit).

On oversight and process issues, members agreed to add limiting language that would allow the audit board to retain independent counsel "if deemed necessary," aiming to balance the board’s investigative authority with cost controls. The commission also clarified that disciplinary processes for the fire and police commissions should reflect existing collective‑bargaining procedures: department chiefs initiate disciplinary actions in coordination with human resources, and commissions would review any grieved cases.

Procedural action: Chair asked for a motion to approve the May 4 draft minutes; the motion was made by Steve Case and seconded by Karen Willett. The commission voted to approve the minutes; two members — Chris and Todd — were recorded as abstaining.

Next steps: The commission reminded members that the town council will hold two public hearings on the draft report (the commission cited dates of May 27 and June 10) and that the commission intends to submit a final report to the council to allow consideration and possible council action at a July meeting. Commissioners agreed to follow up with the newspaper for a layout mockup, finalize print‑run decisions, and continue refining charter language before the council hearings.

The meeting closed after assignment of follow-up tasks and scheduling checks for upcoming commission meetings.