Concerns over the integrity of Town Meeting and the professional quality of Harwich’s governing documents took center stage Thursday as the Charter Commission delved into structural reforms. Resident Robert Mcramond, of 78 Schooner Drive, urged the commission to significantly hike the attendance requirements for official town business, arguing the current quorum of 150 is insufficient for a town of Harwich’s size. Mcramond suggested that the quorum be tied to a percentage of the electorate, potentially requiring 400 residents to be present before votes can be taken.

The number for a quorum is pretty low, Mcramond told the commission, noting that Town Meetings are often pretty well loaded with people that are on committees or elected officials. He argued that a higher threshold would force out more people that don't necessarily have an axe to grind to get a better representation of the community’s will. Commission members weighed the suggestion against the town’s demographic shift toward an older population, discussing whether Saturday meetings or electronic clicker voting might improve participation and privacy.

Paul Don noted that while increasing the quorum is one path, a move toward a representative town meeting model might be a more effective way to ensure a reliable and balanced voting body. The discussion underscored a broader effort by the commission to modernize town operations as Harwich faces a projected gray tsunami, with over half the population expected to be over 60 by 2030.

The commission also tackled the evolving Strong Town Administrator model, which seeks to professionalize town management. Paul Don advocated for clear language in Chapter 3 to ensure the Select Board focuses on long-term strategy rather than day-to-day meddling. The high-level policies in our town in many cases I think have been contracted out to consultants rather than having the elected officials deal with those tough issues, Don said, arguing that the Select Board should spend more time determining where the town is going to be in 25 years.

To support this shift, the commission reviewed language intended to shield town staff from political interference. Don suggested adding a provision that neither the select board nor the individual members should give orders to employees. He further recommended the phrase attempt to influence to curb more subtle forms of pressure on staff. That's what you're talking about... using the position in subtle and less subtle ways, Don remarked. Sandra Hall questioned the terminology, asking, Would it be better to use the word directions instead of orders? as the commission worked to refine the interaction between elected officials and the administration.

The commission also addressed the lack of a formal Code of Conduct, noting that many volunteers remain unaware of existing committee handbooks. Judith Underwood emphasized the need for explicit behavioral standards to maintain decorum during public sessions. I think something has to be in the charter, Underwood said. The difficulty I'm having with it... is all the words are glittering generalities and each person can interpret that a different way. So how to write it so that it's clear that I can't call you a name in a meeting? Kurt Bell admitted to the oversight common among many town volunteers, stating, I think I'm on four committees in the town here or something and I have to admit I've never even paid attention to the handbook. It's mea culpa.

Bell was particularly vocal regarding the sloppy drafting of the current town charter, criticizing its inconsistent grammar and failure to capitalize proper nouns like Commonwealth or Constitution. In this charter, I'm just terribly surprised at how poorly drafted this document is, Bell said, calling the errors embarrassing. He insisted that as the specific entity being referred to, General law is capital. This charter should be capital or bylaw should be capital. The commission agreed that the new document must be professionally polished to serve as a reliable legal foundation for the town.

Financial considerations were also a point of concern, specifically the mounting costs of legal interpretations. Paul Don noted that the town is currently spending so much money on attorneys interpreting the charter because the document lacks a local mechanism for compliance. He suggested the need for a system to ensure the charter is followed without requiring expensive legal fees for every minor question. This aligns with recent town-wide efforts to find DIY cost-saving measures as Harwich prepares for massive infrastructure spending on water and sewer projects.

The commission began the session by addressing routine business, including the approval of previous records. Motion Made by an unidentified member to accept the minutes of September 18, 2025, as read. Motion Passed (5-0). Member Lano joined the rest of the commission in the unanimous vote. Looking ahead, Sandra Hall updated the board on the upcoming arrival of consultants from the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center. Hall noted the commission's strong preference for an in-person meeting to establish a rapport with the team. I don't know of any other responses from the town agency for thoughts on the charter, Hall noted, though she indicated that the Capital Outlay Committee's recommendations are expected soon.

The group also discussed the logistics of meeting with the Select Board. While commission members had hoped for informal individual discussions, Hall reported that Select Board members Don, Mary, and Anita preferred a formal, joint session. The commission concluded the evening by finalizing the distinction between hiring and appointing. Appoint is to a committee. Hire is to staff, Hall clarified, as the board continues to define the division of labor in the new CEO-style management model. Motion Made by K. Bell to adjourn. Motion Passed (5-0).