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Charter panel agrees to let finance-committee members serve on 'working groups' with clarifying language
Summary
The Charter Commission debated Section 9.14’s prohibition on finance-committee members holding other town offices and agreed to add explicit language permitting membership on non-standing "working groups" or to serve as a nonvoting liaison.
The Harwich Charter Commission agreed July 23 to revise a provision that had prohibited members of the finance committee from serving on other town bodies so the language explicitly allows membership on temporary "working groups" or service as a nonvoting liaison.
Chair (S3) said the existing wording—"no member of the finance committee shall hold any other elected or appointed town office except for liaison to other town agencies"—caused confusion when regional or ad hoc working groups were involved and asked whether the charter should be changed. "Do we wanna put something in the charter that says something about that?" the Chair asked. Committee member (S4) replied, "Just insert, like, working group," recommending a short, clear insertion to avoid recurring interpretation questions.
Members debated precise wording and placement, proposing an edited sentence that would read in context: "No member of the finance committee shall hold any other elected or appointed town office, except for membership on the capital outlay committee or as a member of a working group or as a nonvoting liaison to other town agencies." Commissioners said the change is intended to preserve the prohibition on simultaneous standing committee roles while allowing participation in temporary collaborative efforts.
The Commission directed staff to draft the exact insertion for the next draft and to review cross-references so the edit will not conflict with other sections of the charter. The panel did not take a formal vote amending the charter language during this session; commissioners will consider the proposed text in the next meeting.
