Charter Review Committee members Judy Whiteside and Nan Evans presented the Board of Selectmen with a summary of their work so far in reviewing the Town’s Charter, which is a legal document that outlines the structure of Wareham’s government and outlines the powers and duties of various committees and officials.

Within the charter is a provision that requires the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee to review the charter and submit recommendations and proposed amendments and revisions to the charter every ten years.

So far, the group has compiled 19 recommendations, which Whiteside discussed with Town Counsel Richard Bowen.

Most of the changes suggested will make the document more user-friendly, by adding a table of contents, a summary, and moving some historical material, currently scattered throughout the charter, to an appendix at the end of the document.

The group has also found a number inconsistencies in the document that are not up to date with how the town currently operates.

“There are many little nits and bits that are simply not current,” Whiteside said.

The most substantive change the committee is proposing would change the Town Clerk from an elected to an appointed position. Both the current Town Clerk, Michele Bissonnette, and former Town Clerk Mary Ann Silva, support the change.

The committee is crafting a warrant article to make the change, which would need approval at Town Meeting.

The committee is hoping to continue their work through the fall, perhaps by having the Selectmen create a new Charter Review Committee. (The current committee is mandated by the Charter, and has an expiration date.)

The Committee meets each Monday, excluding holidays, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 24 at the Town Hall.