Norwell Launches Government Study Committee to Review Town Charter
Board votes to create ad hoc group, discusses master plan update
NORWELL - January 22 - The Norwell Select Board has voted to create an ad hoc committee to study the town's government structure and review changes made in the 2012 charter. The decision came during the board's Jan. 22 meeting, where members also discussed the need to update the town's master plan for the first time since 2005.
The ad hoc committee will assess the effectiveness of past modifications to the town charter and consider potential improvements to Norwell's governance. Select Board Chair Jason Brown emphasized the importance of this review.
"We need to look back to see what changes the town has made if they've been beneficial or not beneficial to constituents, to taxpayers and residents," Brown said.
Key areas of focus will include changes to the Select Board's composition, powers of the Advisory Board, and additional authority granted to the Town Administrator.
The board opted for an ad hoc committee approach rather than a full government study committee, which would typically be organized by the Town Moderator. Brown explained this decision allows for more targeted scope and faster progress.
"The Moderator organizing a government study committee, the scope would be different than maybe what we intended to have looked at," Brown said. "We're after two different things: one is retroactively looking at what the implications of the changes have been ... and then prospectively looking at areas of town government."
The board voted to form a five-member ad hoc committee and will review a draft mission statement at their next meeting. Members also plan to invite potential committee candidates to attend.
Alongside the government study, the board discussed the need to update Norwell's master plan, which was last completed in 2005. State law recommends towns update their master plans every 10 years.
Board member Bruce Graham, who participated in the 2005 master plan process, suggested forming a steering committee and seeking grant funding to support the update.
"I would encourage us to form a master plan steering committee and get some people appointed," Graham said.
Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan agreed to research potential grant opportunities and consultants to assist with the master plan update. The board plans to consider including an article for town meeting to allocate funds for the process.
Brown stressed the importance of both the government study and master plan update in shaping Norwell's future.
"The town of Norwell needs an organizational mission statement that is constituent-centric," he said. "What collectively do we think our vision is for housing, for business?"
The board aims to have both initiatives provide feedback and evaluation to guide future decision-making.
In other business, the board:
- Discussed options for the Stetson Ford House, including potentially selling the property with a historic preservation restriction.
- Debated the future of the Jacobs Farmhouse, weighing liability concerns against the desire to maintain the historic property.
- Set the date for the annual town meeting for May 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
- Scheduled the annual town election for May 17, 2025.
- Opened the special and annual town meeting warrants, to close on Feb. 12, 2025.
The next select board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5, where members will continue discussions on the government study committee and other ongoing issues.