A decade ago, the citizens of Bourne adopted a home rule charter. The charter defines Bourne’s form of government as a professional administrator working for a part‐time board of five selectmen rather than management by a full‐time board of three selectmen. Bourne’s charter also describes the duties, responsibilities and authority of most town boards, departments and officers.

In 2007 a Charter Review Committee presented for town meeting vote revisions that better defined the roles of the selectmen and administrator. In 2010, to comply with state law, Bourne is taking another look at its charter. A new Charter Review Committee has been appointed and wants your ideas.

The job of the Charter Review Committee is to review the charter, listen to the comments of interested citizens, town officials and invited guests, and then prepare a report to present to town meeting.

The Charter Review Committee cannot change the charter; only town meeting can do that. The Charter Review Committee cannot recommend changing the basic form of government; only a formal charter commission can do that. The Charter Review Committee cannot look at the school committee, Board of Health, or any other board that operates under state statute.

To get an idea of what is working well and what is not working, the committee has drawn up a brief survey. Anybody with an interest in town government is invited to submit the survey, along with any comments and suggestions, to the committee for consideration.

Please take a minute to fill out this survey. You can also pick up a survey at Town Hall, the library or the community center.

CONTACT: charterreview@townofbourne.com