<body><div><p>SEWALL'S POINT — Three changes to the town's charter will go before voters here in November.</p><p>Voters will have the chance to regulate what kind of transportation the town can tax, what would force a town commissioner from office and how long a potential commissioner must be a registered voter in town before running for election.</p><h2>Taxing transportation</h2><p>Sewall's Point has written into the charter the power to license, regulate and tax various modes of transportation such as cars, wagons and carriages as well as wheelchairs and drays, which are strong wagons or carts without sides.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4CQHst_0wODFr0M00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4CQHst_0wODFr0M00" width="960" height="676" ><figcaption>Commissioner James Campo is recognized for his service to the Sewall's Point community during his last town hall meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at 1 S. Sewalls Point Rd. "It's an honor to serve this community for nine plus years," said Campo. "And, truly it's the people and the influence that are derived from Sewall's Point that make this an exceptional village that mean the most to me." Mayor John Tompeck presented Campo with the proclamation of "Commissioner James W. Campo Day" to be Dec. 30th.</figcaption></figure><p>One of the amendments before voters would remove wheelchairs and drays from that list of modes of transportation.</p><p>Those modes of transportation are no longer appropriate to have on the books, said Stephanie Nehme, a member of the town Charter Review Committee, in April before the ballot language was final.</p><h2>Forfeiture of office</h2><p>The charter has no provision for how a town commissioner could be removed from the board. Another charter amendment would require a commissioner to step down if convicted of a felony; for failure to meet qualifications, such as a proposed residency requirement; or for unexcused absences from three consecutive regular meetings.</p><h2>Qualifications for office</h2><p>The only qualification for election as a town commissioner is to be a registered in Sewall's Point. A third amendment would require one year of residents and the requirement to maintain that status to remain as commissioner.</p><p>Vice Mayor Frank Fender III in April said he was unsure whether one year was long enough, while Commissioner Kaija Mayfield saw it as a step in the right direction.</p><p>The Charter Review Committee referred to charters in cities such as St. Augustine Beach to help members decide what changes to propose for Sewall's Point, Nehme said.</p><p><i>Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com and at 720-288-6882.</i></p><p><i>This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers:</i> <i>Sewall's Point may change its town charter in three ways Nov. 5</i></p></div></body>

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Qualifications for Town Commission among Sewall's Point charter changes on Nov. 5 ballot

SEWALL'S POINT — Three changes to the town's charter will go before voters here in November. Voters will have the chance to regulate what kind of transportation the town can tax, what would force a town commissioner from office and how long a potential commissioner must be a registered voter in town before running for election.