Charter Review Committee Forum #1 - 8/12/2026

The Town of Bridgewater, MA held a Charter Review Committee forum on August 12, 2026, to discuss the ongoing review and potential amendments to the town charter. The committee emphasized that their role is to review the charter itself, not the municipal code or bylaws, and that any recommendations they make will be forwarded to the town council for consideration. They highlighted the one-year timeframe to report back to the council, with possible extensions. Public input was encouraged, and the committee plans additional forums and a survey to gather resident feedback. Key topics included the form of government, communication challenges between the town council and residents, and the possibility of establishing an ombudsman office to improve constituent services. While no specific procurement or contract decisions were discussed, the forum focused on governance structure and procedural improvements that could influence future town operations and resource allocation.