Norwell Select Board Forms Charter Review Committee

The Norwell Select Board has launched an ad hoc Charter Review Committee to assess the town’s governance structure and evaluate whether adjustments should be made to its charter, last revised more than a decade ago.

The committee will examine changes made in the early 2010s to determine whether they have benefited the town or created challenges. Among the key issues on the table are whether certain elected positions should be appointed and whether the five-member board structure is functioning effectively.

“This is an opportunity for us to look at the changes that were made at the last charter change to see what has benefited the town, what has been a detriment to the town, and analyze those changes to see are they serving taxpayers and voters and residents well,” Jason Brown, Select Board Chair, said.

The committee will also explore potential structural changes, such as shifting from at-large board representation to district-based elections.

“We used to have more elected positions than we do. Those are the only two other than yourselves in the other town, volunteer town boards that are elected,” Becky Free, newly appointed committee member, said.

Two new members, former Select Board member Becky Free and longtime resident Chad Foreman, were appointed to the committee.

“I served nine years on the board of Selectmen, six years on the advisory board, six years on the community preservation committee, and I believe four years as an assessor,” Free said. “So I have a number of years of experience.”

The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for March 13, with an initial focus on gathering data and reviewing governance practices in other Massachusetts towns.

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