Here's a Nice Primer

This is the explanation running on the PortMedia station. I'll have the candidate bios, and pics (I think) up in a few days.

CHARTER REVIEW BALLOT INITIATIVE

BALLOT QUESTION #1 - Nov. 3rd

“Shall a Commission be elected to frame a Charter for the City of Newburyport?”

A YES VOTE …. would create a 9 member, elected, unpaid Charter Review Commission to publicly review our city’s Charter.

Our Charter is the document that defines Newburyport’s current form of government. It was last reviewed ninety years ago when the current structure was established. Currently our Charter calls for a municipal election every two years, when a Mayor, 11 City Councilors, and members of the School Committee are elected.

If this question passes, the elected Commission will research other communities, hold public hearings and solicit all relevant input to formulate their recommendations.

Some of the possible recommendations include: 1) no change. 2) extending the mayoral term of office; 3) delegation of day-to-day city operations to a City Manager, with or without an elected Mayor, 4) a change in the size and/or term length of City Councilors, and 5) elect rather than appoint members of some City Boards, and 6.) other possibilities as provided within State law.

The Commission will issue their report and recommendations within 16 months. After that, a review by the State Attorney General and the City Council is required.

Recommended Charter revision, if any, would be placed on the 2011 municipal ballot, and must be approved by Newburyport voters to be adopted. If rejected by the voters in 2011, no change will occur.

The Charter Commission will be dissolved after the 2011 election.

A NO VOTE …. would mean that no commission would be established. The City Charter would not be reviewed and would remain unchanged.