Support effort to create Charter Commission

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January 8, 2009

Anonymous The Daily News of Newburyport Thu Jan 08, 2009, 03:57 AM EST

To the editor:

On Nov. 24, the City Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Ward 4 Councilor Ed Cameron, endorsing efforts of local citizens to gather signatures to place a question on the ballot at the 2009 Municipal Election as to whether the city shall create a Charter Review Commission.

If volunteers obtain the required number of registered voter signatures, we will have the opportunity to elect a nine-member Charter Review Commission this November. This elected committee will study the city's form of governance, research other communities, hold hearings, receive public input and file a report, with a minority report if necessary to the City Council within 18 months. Report recommendations, if any, will be put to a ballot vote at the November 2011 Municipal Election.

This process is proceeding in accord with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 43B-Home Rule Procedures, passed in 1966. GOOGLE it, and/or check out the Massachusetts Municipal Association site: HYPERLINK "http://www.mma.org/images/stories/AbtLocalGov/home_rule_charters.pdf" http://www.mma.org/images/stories/AbtLocalGov/home_rule_charters.pdf for information on what other communities have done. Massachusetts cities have five basic forms of government to choose from, with variations within each. Newburyport's current charter is called a Plan B.

In recent years, more than 150 of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns have exercised their rights under MGL 43B to review their form of government and make changes that, in most cases, have led to efficiencies and real savings in the operations of their communities. Newbury, Salisbury and Amesbury are among them.

Newburyport's City Charter was last revised 90 years ago. It is time for this review. I hope you agree, and will join those collecting signatures. Call or go to the City Clerk's office (978-465-4407) and ask for a petition. Let's make this happen!

For more information, come to a public kickoff meeting for the Charter Review process to be held in the City Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15. City Councilor Ed Cameron will chair the meeting, and the Charter Review process and possible outcomes will be discussed.

Maybe you should run for the Charter Review Commission ... .

Chip Wyser

Newburyport

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