made possible by Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke
Committee for Holyoke City Charter Review
Information
This group seeks a resolution calling for the formation of a Charter Review Commission on the ballot. We need 4,200 signatures from our fellow residents by July 28th. If successful, residents will be able to shape Holyoke’s gov’t for the 21st century
Members: 42
Latest Activity: Nov 6
What is a Charter?
Mass law defines a charter as:“… a written instrument that defines the government structure under which a city and town operates, that may create local offices; distribute powers, duties and responsibilities among local offices; and that may establish and define certain procedures to be followed by a city or town government.” (MGL Ch. 4, Sec 7, Clause 5).
How is Holyoke’s government formed now?
Holyoke is organized under a Plan “B” Charter. The Commonwealth defines a Plan “B” form of governments as: “a city government and legislative body composed of a mayor and city council, the councilors being elected partly at large and partly from districts or wards of the city.” (MGL Ch. 43) Please click here for an expanded explanation.
Why review the charter?
Metro Future, a regional improvement organization listed made this point: “In order for cities and towns to meet the challenges of the coming years, they must be organized according to a rational structure that promotes responsiveness and accountability. To establish this structure, all municipalities in the region should adopt a municipal charter and revisit it periodically.”
What is a Charter Review Commission?
A charter review commission is a 9 member panel charged with reviewing and recommending changes to the current city charter.
Who are the nine members?
Each member is a city resident who has been elected by popular vote. This vote happens at the same time as the election for the commission.
How is the commission formed?
This can be accomplished if 2/3 of the City Council votes in favor, or by passing a resolution in the general election calling for the formation. As our council has already voted against this it is up to the residents to gather the 4,200 signatures necessary to place the resolution on the ballot in November.
How does the process work?
Once formed, the commission will examine the charter; hold a series of public hearings; and a compile a report of their findings. Once the reports have been finalized any recommendations will be voted on by the public. The whole process is completed within 18-24 months.
Does the commission have to recommend changes for a vote?
No, if the commission decides that no changes need to be made then there will be no vote.
So, should we work to form a charter review commission?
To answer this please ask yourself, is this current system the best for Holyoke, or could there be a more efficient way for Holyoke’s government to be organized?
Mass law defines a charter as:“… a written instrument that defines the government structure under which a city and town operates, that may create local offices; distribute powers, duties and responsibilities among local offices; and that may establish and define certain procedures to be followed by a city or town government.” (MGL Ch. 4, Sec 7, Clause 5).
How is Holyoke’s government formed now?
Holyoke is organized under a Plan “B” Charter. The Commonwealth defines a Plan “B” form of governments as: “a city government and legislative body composed of a mayor and city council, the councilors being elected partly at large and partly from districts or wards of the city.” (MGL Ch. 43) Please click here for an expanded explanation.
Why review the charter?
Metro Future, a regional improvement organization listed made this point: “In order for cities and towns to meet the challenges of the coming years, they must be organized according to a rational structure that promotes responsiveness and accountability. To establish this structure, all municipalities in the region should adopt a municipal charter and revisit it periodically.”
What is a Charter Review Commission?
A charter review commission is a 9 member panel charged with reviewing and recommending changes to the current city charter.
Who are the nine members?
Each member is a city resident who has been elected by popular vote. This vote happens at the same time as the election for the commission.
How is the commission formed?
This can be accomplished if 2/3 of the City Council votes in favor, or by passing a resolution in the general election calling for the formation. As our council has already voted against this it is up to the residents to gather the 4,200 signatures necessary to place the resolution on the ballot in November.
How does the process work?
Once formed, the commission will examine the charter; hold a series of public hearings; and a compile a report of their findings. Once the reports have been finalized any recommendations will be voted on by the public. The whole process is completed within 18-24 months.
Does the commission have to recommend changes for a vote?
No, if the commission decides that no changes need to be made then there will be no vote.
So, should we work to form a charter review commission?
To answer this please ask yourself, is this current system the best for Holyoke, or could there be a more efficient way for Holyoke’s government to be organized?
Discussion Forum
Specimen Ballots for 11/3/09 Election 1 Reply
Started by Josh Knox. Last reply by Sandy Ward Oct 27.
[News] Holyoke council OKs charter ballot question 2 Replies
Started by Peter (VanDog). Last reply by Sandy Ward Oct 10.
[News] Charter study effort revived
Started by Peter (VanDog) Mar 17.
Comment Wall (32 comments)
Add a Comment
32 Comments
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Comment by Joe Bullock on November 6, 2009 at 9:12am - I don't think so Daphne. Executive session doesn't seem to apply to the Charter Commission. There are very specific rules regarding when executive sessions may be held. http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/39-23b.htm
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Comment by daphne board on November 6, 2009 at 8:48am -
Joe,
Since this new group is a Commission I would *assume* that all meetings would be public unless they go into executive session. I have no idea if they even would go into exec session, but I assume they would have that power...
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Comment by Sandy Ward on November 6, 2009 at 8:40am -
See this morning's Republican article: "Charter Group: How to begin?"
My first concern is the list of who won. Wednesday's paper had an article and an accompanying chart that contained discrepancies. The author of the article wrote back to me, " Sandy: I just noticed, some of the numbers in the chart are incorrect.
The story is right, I'm not sure what happened with the chart.
You are right. Some of the numbers in the chart were incorrect. AndreW
Melendez received 1,651 votes, Helene Florio received 1,649 votes,
losing by a mere 2 votes and Wilfredo Melendez received 1,627 votes.
Sorry. We will correct it tomorrow. Jeanette."
I didn't see a correction on Thursday. Jeanette did say that the absentee ballots had already been counted. Today's article lists Florio as a winner, with no mention of Melendez.
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Comment by Joe Bullock on November 5, 2009 at 9:58pm
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What will be the nature of the Holyoke Charter Commission meetings? They will fall under open meeting laws, correct? They will not be closed door sessions, right? I mean, I see that there will be public hearings... but will there be actual meetings that may not be attended by the public?
Because if they are not open to the public, we are going to have some serious problems.
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Comment by Joe Bullock on October 31, 2009 at 9:16pm
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Wheee! Digitized no less!
I think my heart just skipped a beat.
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Comment by Sandy Ward on October 31, 2009 at 9:01pm
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You may read the whole charter (and all of Holyoke's Code of Ordinances) online via the Municode website: www.municode.com/Library/Library.aspx.
Click on Massachusetts (on map), then select Holyoke.
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Comment by Joe Bullock on October 31, 2009 at 8:41pm
- Thanks Sandy. Like I said, I just took a cursory look at it and was surprised when I saw it. I appreciate the clarification.
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Comment by Sandy Ward on October 31, 2009 at 12:48pm
- The following charter commission candidates came to Thursday's event or submitted information: Alexander, Authier, Berrena, Brunault, Eger, Florio, Gurvitch, Gresh, Kulig, Lavelle, W. Melendez, Norris, Purcell, Quinn, Sokop, Sutter, and Whelihan. See my photos on the CRUSH blog. - Sandy
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Comment by Sandy Ward on October 31, 2009 at 12:38pm
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The copyright notice is not on the Charter or the Code of Ordinances. The copyright notice (p.4 of the "Preliminaries") is on the added value (tables of contents, notes, etc.) done by Municipal Code Corporation.
-- Sandy
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Comment by Stan Geddes on October 31, 2009 at 11:38am -
Hey Joe
That is a revelation. What is the date of the document?
Perhaps attorney Betourney would be able to explain.
I totally agree that the Charter should be governed by fair use law. Perhaps the next one will be. If and when that happens.
BTW who of the candidates showed for the " meet the candidates " event?
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