At the November 8, 2022 election, voters approved the creation of a Charter Commission and elected six residents to serve on this Commission.  The Select Board appointed an additional three members at their meeting on December 6, 2022.  View detailed procedures for Charter Commission (PDF)

The Commission’s charge is to recommend revisions to the Town Charter. The current Charter can be viewed at www.kennebunkmaine.us/charter.

In general, a Town's charter specifies the Town's form of government, the distribution of legislative, executive and other powers, and it delegates various legal and administrative functions as well as the procedures for making and implementing budgetary decisions.

Currently, under Kennebunk's Charter the Town operates under the Town Meeting/Select Board/Administrator form of government with the Town Manager as the chief administrative official, the Select Board as the executive and administrative powers, and the town meeting as the legislative body.

View Supporting Documentation:

• Charter Commission Procedures (PDF)
• Current Town Charter 6-14-22 (PDF)
• Proposed Town Charter 8-15-24 (PDF)
• Charter Commission - Final Report 7-24-24 (PDF)
• Charter Commission - Minority Report 7-31-24 (PDF)
• Legal Review of Proposed Charter by Town Attorney (PDF)
• Word Comparison Town Charter (PDF)
• Charter Commission FAQ Final (PDF)
• Explanation of 4.2.5 Ordinance Override (PDF)  

Election Results:

At the November 5, 2024 Election, the voters were asked "Shall the Town approve the Charter revision recommended by the Charter Commission?"  

Results:  Yes: 2740    No: 5078