HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020_11-24 Collins_Other Charter Language re-TIme-Work Pressures on TCExamples of Text from Other Charters in Response to Questions
Revised 11.24.20
Could the Collins Center get us information about how other towns with our type of government handle
time/work pressures on the Council...
From the Amherst charter:
SECTION 2.9 (b): Additional Staff: Subject to appropriation, the Town Council may appoint
additional staff to be under the supervision of the Council President as the Town Council deems
necessary.
From the Bridgewater charter:
SECTION 2-8. COUNCIL STAFF
The town council may employ such staff and experts as are necessary to conduct the business of
the town council. The town council shall set the salaries of such staff.
The town council shall appoint an officer of the town who shall have the title of council clerk. The
council clerk shall give notice of town council meetings to its members and the public, keep the
journal of its proceedings and perform such other duties as are assigned by this charter, by the
town council or by general or special law.
SECTION 2-10. DELEGATION OF POWERS
The town council may delegate to 1 or more town agencies, the powers vested in the town council
by general or special law to grant and issue licenses and permits and may regulate the granting
and issuing of licenses and permits by any such town agency, and may in its discretion, rescind any
such delegation without prejudice to any prior action which has been taken.
From the Chelsea charter:
Section 2-6. - City council staff
The city council shall appoint a clerk to the city council and may employ such staff and retain such
assistance as is necessary to conduct the business of the city council. The city council shall establish
the compensation of such staff
From the North Attleborough charter (bold added for emphasis):
SECTION 2-9. STANDING AND AD -HOC COMMITTEES
The Town Council shall by bylaw provide for the establishment of standing committees, including
but not limited to a finance or ways and means committee, a rules committee, and a municipal
bylaw committee, by whatever names, all to be appointed by the Council President. In each case,
the bylaw shall establish the size of the committee and scope of duties, provided that no
committee, other than a committee of the whole, shall be composed of a quorum of the full Town
Council. Residents of the Town may be appointed by the Council President to standing
committees of the Town Council, but the majority of members of each committee shall be
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composed of Councilors. All such committees shall be subject to the Open Meeting Law and shall
provide a period at each regular meeting for public commentary subject to such rules as may be
adopted by the Town Council from time to time and to such limitations as may be imposed by the
committee chairperson in the chairperson's sole discretion. Committees established under these
provisions shall consist of an odd number of persons to be appointed for one-year terms who may
be removed therefrom by the Council President at the President's sole discretion. Nothing herein
shall prohibit the Council from creating ad hoc advisory committees, to be appointed by the Council
President, to assist the Council in carrying out its duties under the Charter as it determines
necessary or appropriate.
How do other towns handle oversight of administration?
From the Amherst charter (bold added for emphasis):
SECTION 3.2: The Town Manager shall be the chief executive officer of the Town and shall be
responsible to the Town Council for the proper operation of Town affairs for which the Town
Manager is given responsibility under this Charter. The Town Manager shall be responsible for
implementation of policy decisions and direction provided by the Town Council, as reflected by
the Town Council's votes and resolutions, and by enactment of bylaws, appropriation orders,
and loan authorizations. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Town Manager as set forth
herein shall extend and apply to all Town departments, excluding those powers, duties, and
responsibilities vested in the School Committee, Regional School Committee, and Library Trustees.
These powers, duties, and responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following...
From the Chelsea charter:
Sec. 2-11. - Relationship of the city manager and the city council.
The city manager shall be the primary officer responsible for the implementation of city council
policy, as reflected by the city council's votes and resolutions, enactment of ordinances,
appropriation orders and loan authorizations.
Except as may be otherwise authorized by this Charter, no member of the city council, nor any
committee of the city council, shall directly involve themselves in the conduct of the administrative
business of the city.
How do different towns attract good talent to their elected or appointed boards, and oversee them?
From the Amherst charter (bold added for emphasis):
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Section 3.3(c): Appointments to Multiple -Member Bodies: Except as otherwise provided by this
Charter, the Town Manager shall appoint all members of multiple -member bodies. Members of all
appointed multiple -member bodies shall be residents of the Town at the time of appointment and
throughout the term of the appointment, unless otherwise approved by Town Council. All
appointments to these bodies shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.11. The Town
Manager shall establish a Residents' Advisory Committee to assist with evaluation and selection
of candidates for appointment.
In making appointments, the Town Manager shall seek to appoint individuals with relevant
expertise or experience. The Town Manager shall establish policies and practices to actively
encourage a diverse pool of applicants for multiple -member bodies.
(d) Community Participation Officer: The Town Manager shall appoint a Community Participation
Officer to increase participation in local government by diverse residents as described in Section
3.3(c). Such officer may be a current Town employee. The Community Participation Officer will:
(i) Provide support for individuals interested in being involved in local government;
(ii) Devise and implement strategies to enhance public engagement;
(iii) Conduct community outreach efforts to increase participation by underrepresented
residents in Town government;
(iv) Aid in planning and conducting of District Meetings;
(v) Analyze data on resident engagement;
(vi) Regularly submit reports to the Town Manager and Town Council; and
(vii) Carry out any other duties designated by the Town Manager.
From East Longmeadow charter:
Section 3. Powers, Duties, and Compensation of Boards and Commissions
Boards and commissions established under this charter shall perform their functions and duties in
accordance with the Constitution, General Laws, bylaws and this charter.
Members of boards and commissions established under this charter may receive actual and
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and may receive such
compensation as may be authorized and established by the Town Council within limits of an
appropriation made for that purpose.
From Framingham charter:
Section III(3)(c) Citizen Participation Officer: The mayor shall appoint a citizen participation officer
to work with municipal departments and multiple -member bodies to develop and implement
strategies to enhance public engagement using current communication and outreach practices, to
process citizen complaints and inquiries, and ensure compliance with public notice requirements.
The citizen participation officer shall maintain the municipal notification list. The citizen
participation officer shall analyze data on citizen engagement, complaints and inquiries, and shall
regularly submit reports as directed by the mayor.
From the North Attleborough charter:
SECTION 9-1(b) (iii) Other Stipends. The Town Council by a vote of 2/3 of the entire council may,
prior to July 1 in any fiscal year, and subject to appropriation therefor, establish an annual stipend
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for the ensuing fiscal year for service on any multiple member body elected under Article 111 or
appointed to a multiple member body specifically listed in Article V or otherwise as designated by
ordinance.
Are there towns that successfully do this [articulate the unique and many faceted character of
Watertown by taking the past into consideration and evaluating present-day values, along with
development, economic and housing pressures, and how these might combine to create a vision for a
livable Watertown of the future] under the Town Manager/Town Council format?
From the Amherst charter:
SECTION 2.2: (c) State of the Town Address: Each year the Town Council President and the Town
Manager shall address the elected bodies, officers of the Town, and the public on the state of
affairs of the Town.
SECTION 2.13: The President of the Town Council shall call not fewer than 2 public forums a year
to address the master plan and the budget, respectively. The public forums shall present the public
with context, alert the public to upcoming issues, and collect feedback from the public.
SECTION 9.8: Master Plan
(a) Content: There shall be a master plan containing the plan elements described in Massachusetts
General Law Chapter 41, Section 81D. The Town may also undertake planning activities relating
to particular services or specific geographic areas within the Town as the Town Manager may
direct or the Town Council may vote.
(b) Adoption: The master plan or any amendments thereto shall be approved by the Planning
Board and then be submitted by the Town Manager to the Town Council which shall hold at least
1 public hearing thereon. The Town Council shall adopt the master plan, with or without
amendments.
(c) Revising the Plan: The Town Manager and Planning Board shall regularly review the plan to
determine if revisions, amendments, and/or additions are necessary. Proposals to amend the
master plan not originating in the Planning Board shall be submitted to the Planning Board for
deliberation. Any revisions, amendments and/or additions shall be subject to the adoption process
as provided in Section 9.8(b).
(d) New Master Plan: A new master plan shall be prepared at least every 20 years. A new plan
shall be prepared and adopted as provided in Sections 9.8(a) and (b) within 3 years of the
expiration of the plan then in effect.
(e) Public Participation: At the outset of the planning process and throughout the process, the
Planning Board shall solicit the participation of local residents and organizations through working
sessions.
(f) Effect: The Town Council shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the bylaws of the Town,
including but not limited to the zoning bylaws, shall be not inconsistent with the master plan.
(g) Action by the Town Council and the Planning Board: If any proposed bylaw involves a matter
addressed in the master plan concerning land use or development regulations, the Town Council
shall first refer the proposed bylaw to the Planning Board. The Planning Board shall report its
recommendations in writing to the Town Council on the proposed bylaw in accordance with
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Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 5, along with an explanation as to whether the
proposed bylaw is not inconsistent with the master plan.
From the Bridgewater charter:
Section 2-3(c)
(5) The council president in conjunction with the town manager shall prepare and deliver a yearly
state of the town message to the town council and citizens of the town describing the state of the
town. The message will address the financial state of the town, strengths of the town and areas
that need attention, as well as potential opportunities for the betterment of the town. The state
of the town message should also set the agenda and goals for the town council and town manager
for the ensuing year.
(6) The council president shall call no less than 2 meetings of the general public each fiscal year
for the purpose of obtaining public input to the policies of the town. The meeting agenda and
format shall be determined by the town council but shall be designed to obtain public input to the
policies of the town. Members of the public may submit potential items for the agenda of the
meetings in accordance with rules adopted by the town council. The public shall be given at least
14 days notice of the date and time of such meetings. The notices shall be published in a newspaper
of general circulation within the town and posted on the town bulletin board. The town council
may provide for additional venues for such postings.
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