Assembly of Delegates Unanimously Passes Resolution Supporting Ballot Question 6
October 17, 2024 (Barnstable, MA) – Citing the need for transparency, efficiency, accountability, and saving taxpayers’ dollars, the 15 Assembly Delegates reaffirmed their strong support for Ballot Question 6 by unanimously approving a resolution to support the ballot question.
“Ballot Question 6 clarifies the language to give each individual town delegate a say in how county government is managed. I will be supporting this ballot question and this resolution” said Assembly Speaker Patrick Princi of Barnstable
Mashpee Delegate Michaela Wyman-Colombo, one of six sponsors of Resolution 5, read the one-page resolution into the record. LINK
The resolution referred to the need for clear and precise Charter language to ensure efficiency and accountability, checks and balances, and budget oversight. It reaffirmed that Ballot Question 6 is legal and approved for the ballot by the County Commissioners’ own attorneys and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Ballot Question 6 Clarifies Charter Language and Eliminates Ambiguity
Each delegate who spoke noted that Ballot Question 6 deals with language clarification, rather than any substantive change to the Charter. County Commissioners have been using a language loophole to bypass the intended structure of Barnstable County Charter, which includes an executive and legislative branch.
Falmouth Delegate Dan Gessen, currently deployed by the U.S. Army National Guard, attended the meeting remotely. Delegate Gessen stated, “Question 6 is about ensuring that Cape residents have a say in how their tax dollars are spent through their town’s delegate. It clarifies a fundamental aspect of our representative democracy.”
Brewster Delegate Mary Chaffee explained, “If our processes are murky and confusing, we are not as transparent as we should be. The purpose of Question 6 is to increase transparency, to clarify what some parts of the charter mean so that we can all understand the rules of the road.”
Wellfleet Delegate Lilli Ann Green stated, “This question is legal. It is fiscally responsible. We (the Assembly Delegates) ask questions to promote transparency. We only want to be fiscally responsible by clarifying language.”
Provincetown Delegate Brian O’Malley told the Assembly that Ballot Question 6 was not about “taking new powers but defining the powers that are in the Barnstable County Charter.” He explained, “The Commissioners have used the ambiguities within our Charter—a charter that has been patched together over the years and has never been cleaned up and they are using these ambiguities” to usurp the legislative powers of the Assembly of Delegates.
Harwich Delegate Elizabeth Harder noted that there is no attempt to “end run” a full Charter Review: “Cape Cod residents know that at Town Meeting voters are asked to make changes to charters.” A full Charter Review will likely take at least two budget cycles.
Why are we at this juncture?
Harwich Delegate Elizabeth Harder explained the history behind the need for Ballot Question 6: “This started three years ago, when because of Covid the County was flush with an obscene amount of money. The Commissioners and the new Administrator came to the Assembly with a budget that had added $800,000—mostly for administrative positions. We said, “No.” The Commissioners didn’t like this and went to their lawyers and complained.” In the end, the $800,00 was cut from the inflated budget. Delegate Harder continued, “The reason we have a new upgraded bond rating is because this Assembly did its job with financial oversight.”
Brewster Delegate Mary Chaffee offered, “The executive branch appears to want to silence the legislative branch’s voices so they can operate without guardrails.”
The Need for Full Charter Review
Assembly Delegates support a full Charter Review. As Barnstable Delegate and Speaker Patrick Princi stated Ballot Question 6 “will be the stimulus for a full County Charter review.” This was supported by other delegates who spoke.
Ballot Question 6 fills the need for checks and balances, transparency, accountability and efficiency while the County engages in a full charter review process.
ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates is the legislative branch of County Government. As the County’s law-making body, the Assembly’s work takes the form of ordinances and resolutions which may be initiated by Delegates, Assembly committees, the Board of Regional Commissioners or by an initiative petition. The Assembly of Delegates appropriates the County’s annual operating and capital budgets as well as supplemental requests.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
MEDIA CONTACT:
Owen Fletcher, Assembly Clerk
(508) 375-6761