Summary of Bill S 2700: An Act Amending the Charter of the Town of Wareham

Bill Number: S 2700

Introduced On: November 13, 2025

Status: Pending

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 2700 aims to amend the charter of the town of Wareham, Massachusetts, specifically focusing on the composition and appointment process of the Capital Planning Committee. The intent of this amendment is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of committee members and streamline the appointment process to enhance the town's capital planning efforts.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following changes to Clause (3) of subsection (a) of section 2-5 of article 2 of the Wareham town charter:

• Composition of the Capital Planning Committee:

  • The committee will include:
  • The Finance Director or their designee
  • The Town Administrator or their designee
  • One member appointed by the Planning Board from its membership
  • One member appointed by the Finance Committee from its membership
  • Three members appointed by an appointing authority, which consists of:
    • The Town Moderator (serving as chair of the appointing authority)
    • The Chair of the Select Board
    • The Chair of the Finance Committee
  • The Town Accountant or their designee, who will serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member

• By-law Provision:

  • The town may establish additional conditions regarding these appointments through by-law, allowing for flexibility in the governance of the committee.

Impact

Who Will Be Affected?

• Town Officials: The amendment directly impacts the roles of the Finance Director, Town Administrator, and various committee members involved in capital planning.
• Town Governance: The changes aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of capital planning in Wareham, potentially affecting future town projects and budget allocations.

Potential Benefits

• Enhanced Collaboration: By clearly defining the committee's composition and appointment process, the bill seeks to foster better collaboration among town officials and committees.
• Streamlined Decision-Making: The structured approach to appointments may lead to more informed and timely decisions regarding capital projects.

Procedural Aspects

• The bill was filed on November 5, 2025, and was substituted as a new draft on November 13, 2025, indicating ongoing legislative discussions and revisions.
• The bill is currently pending and will require further legislative action before becoming law.

In summary, Bill S 2700 is a legislative effort to refine the governance structure of the Capital Planning Committee in Wareham, aiming to enhance the town's capital planning processes through clearer roles and responsibilities.