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 20
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
Add a Comment
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Comment by daphne board on November 20, 2009 at 8:51am -
Hey Jeremy-
Yes, I think you are correct; AFTER recommendations are made there will be more public comment time. This Dec 8th hearing--as far as I know--will be the only hearing before the commission starts planning their recommendations (although it should be noted that at least one commission member stated at the org meeting that he already knew what needed to be changed in the Charter. Most of the rest of the members stated that theirs minds were open to what the citizens had to say).
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Comment by jeremy smith on November 19, 2009 at 11:35pm - Only public meeting? As I understand the process, there will be several public hearings after the commission has made their recommendations on changing the charter.
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Comment by Stan Geddes on November 19, 2009 at 7:08pm -
Last nights meeting went for an hour and a half. The group dynamics were fascinating. The only thing missing besides Helen Norris were the citizens of Holyoke.
It seems that the public is going to get only 1 chance to be heard. So save Dec 8 at the Geriatric Authority. Ive always wanted to attend a meeting there!
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Comment by James Sutter on November 19, 2009 at 6:41pm - I love government process. Any of us could reorganize most of the city with a $55,000.00 budget, but with municipal money, we can merely accomplish a study of possible changes to one facet of city government.
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Comment by daphne board on November 19, 2009 at 6:17pm
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I wrote about the meeting here.
The Commission is in the process of asking Andrew to be the 9th person.
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Comment by Sandy Ward on November 19, 2009 at 6:14pm -
Today's Republican contained a very short notice about the results of the Nov 18 meeting: a Public Hearing is set for Dec 8, 2009, 7:00 pm, in dining room of Geriatric Authority, 45 Lower Westfield Road. Carl Eger Jr. was chosen as Chair. The commission accepted the resignation of Helen Norris.
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I wonder if this resignation means that the next highest vote getter will now fill the 9th seat. That would be Andrew Melendez, according to my reading of the Official Results handed out by the Clerk's Office.
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Comment by daphne board on November 17, 2009 at 10:20am
- Thanks for checking into that Sandy!
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Comment by Sandy Ward on November 17, 2009 at 10:18am
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The City Clerk's Office confirms that WEDNESDAY Nov 18 is the correct date for the 1st meeting of the Charter Commission. The newspaper announcement is wrong (or ran a day early by mistake).
I also asked whether H Florio or A Melendez was on the commission; there was no recount, so Florio is on the commission.
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Comment by daphne board on November 17, 2009 at 10:14am
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Hi Sandy-
The City of Holyoke's website very clearly posts it as happening on Wednesday...I wonder which source is correct??
For the record, the City's website does NOT list the City Council meeting that is taking place tonight. I guess I'll have to trek down to City Hall to check the bulletin board to be sure!
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Comment by Sandy Ward on November 17, 2009 at 10:10am
- Today's Republican (Tues 11-17) says the first meeting will be TONIGHT at City Hall, 6:30pm
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