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?
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