Charter Review Committee

In 2001, the citizens of Bourne adopted a home rule charter.  The charter defines Bourne’s form of government as a professional Town Administrator working for a part‐time, 5 member Select Board, rather than the previous management by a full-time, 3 member Select Board.  Bourne’s charter also describes the duties, responsibilities and authority of most Town boards, departments and officers.

Charter Review Committees are required by State law, formed every 5 years, and have been active in 2005, 2010, 2015 & 2020. 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 also cannot look at the School Committee, Board of Health, or any other board that operates under State statute.

Board Members