Town attorney outlines steps and timelines for creating a Charter Revision Commission

Town Attorney Carrie briefed the Board of Selectmen on statutory requirements and practical steps to form a Charter Revision Commission, stressing the process opens the entire charter and requires multiple public steps.

"The first step is... you need a two thirds vote of the entire board of selectmen, or a petition signed by not less than 10% of the electorate to start a charter revision commission," Carrie said in a detailed presentation of the statutory milestones. She explained the commission must be appointed within 30 days, consist of 5–15 electors, and that "not more than a third of them can hold any other public office in the municipality and no more than a bare majority from the same political party."

Carrie reviewed the commission's obligations to hold at least two public hearings (one before substantive work and one after a draft report), to deliver a draft and, later, a final report, and timelines for board review and possible referendum. "You have to prescribe a date no later than 16 months from appointment by which the commission has to submit the draft report," she said, and described the statutory windows for public hearings, comment, and potential appeals or referendum petitions.

Board members asked practical questions about timing and recruitment, including how to publicize volunteer opportunities and how quickly the town could hold a referendum if the commission's work concluded. Carrie advised that, depending on scope, "some go quicker than others, especially if they're very focused on certain things," and she recommended the board identify a charge and possible focus areas before appointment to streamline the process.

Selectmen agreed to solicit volunteers publicly and to think about budget needs (Carrie noted typical commission costs are often in the $15,000–$20,000 range) ahead of a special meeting to finalize charges and a volunteer list.