Residents sought to serve on Charter Review Commission

CUMBERLAND - Cumberland Town Council members are seeking town residents to serve on a Charter Review Commission suggested last week by Mayor Daniel McKee to consider what he describes as a range of changes to government practices.

"There are issues that are coming up in conversation that need to be aired publicly," said the mayor.

McKee said the changing relationship of the state and municipality as funding becomes severely limited suggests charter changes may be needed, such as consolidating fire departments, requiring the school board to outline the cost of contracts, or even abolishing an elected school board in favor of an appointed one.

Leaders in both Woonsocket and Pawtucket are talking about appointed school boards currently.

The goal, says McKee, is to prepare charter changes in time for citizens to vote at the November 2010 election.

The new commission must consist of nine members - one named by each of the seven councilors, one by the mayor and one by the School Committee.

Any resident interested in serving should contact his or her council person.

No appointee may be a current official, according to the charter, a stipulation Town Council members said last week applies to current elected and appointed board and commission members.

Contact information for councilors is available on the town's Web site, cumberlandri.org/tc.htm or call the Town Clerk's Office, 728-2400.

According to the charter, a Charter Review Commission must be called at least every 10 years but can be assembled sooner by the Town Council.

The last Charter Review Commission was headed by Bonnie Large in 2002 when 20 amendments were proposed that were generally described as housekeeping measures to bring town procedures in line with state law or current practice.

Voters agreed to such issues as putting two alternates on the Zoning Board of Review, creating a human resources director position, establishing minimum qualifications for police chief and eliminating the Budget Board.

Any proposed new changes go first to the Town Council for approval as ballot questions, then to the General Assembly for permission to appear on the ballot and finally to voters.