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Baby Huey
Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 11:56:32 AM
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Tetris, I have a quick question that I am a little uneducated about. It seems that the new can be modified, could they possibly change the at large voting clause? Or, would it have to go on the ballot as a separate question?
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 12:28:03 PM
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| Baby Huey, your question is not quite clear. What exactly are you asking? I have the Charter in front of me and I will research to find your answer. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 12:47:46 PM
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Anything can be changed in the charter Huey.
However, some things are more difficult than others though. From MGL Chapter 43B, Section 10 (a):
"...only a charter commission elected under this chapter may propose any change in a charter relating in any way to the composition, mode of election or appointment, or terms of office of the legislative body, the mayor or city manager, or the board of selectmen or town manager."
So to change the four year term of the mayor or change how councilors are elected, you'd first have to get the question of electing a charter commission put on the ballot by collecting signatures; I'd doubt that you'd get a pass from the legislature again. Then you'd have to get a charter commission elected that supported your point of view or would at least be open to listening to your arguements. Then you'd go thru the 18 month review process again including the allocation of funds, notification, printing and mailing requirements, etc. And if the commission supported a change, it would go to the ballot for the voters to decide. A lot of work with no guarantee for success. |
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Baby Huey
Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 12:51:02 PM
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| Massdee, I apologize for not being clear, Tetris gave me the answer I was looking for. Thanks! |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 1:00:11 PM
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| Can't you get a change to the Charter by an initiative petition? Much the same way that group was able to change the charter back in the 90's. Remember, they were able to reduce the School Committee's term in office from four years to two years. |
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Baby Huey
Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 1:06:41 PM
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| I'm not sure I guess it depends how the charter is written. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 1:06:55 PM
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| You now have a Home Rule Charter (Chapter 43B) so you now have to play under those rules. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 1:19:21 PM
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| Then it makes it much hard for the average citizen to propagate any changes to the Charter. It makes me feel that some of our rights as a resident went away with the passing of this charter. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 1:30:46 PM
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| It's not all changes to the charter, just the one's listed in the section of 43B I reproduced above. And it's not that any of those can't be done; it's just harder. Also, one of the known drawbacks of the 43B process is that, depending when proposed changes are introduced, they could take longer than they would through special acts route. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 1:56:02 PM
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Just what the voters needed, to make changes harder. I am really disappointed that charter passed. I feel in the long run it is going to end up being very bad for the taxpayers and voters.
Who will be setting the new salary for the city council? We all know their salary is going to increase. You know, one hand washes the other. |
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Baby Huey
Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 2:28:17 PM
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| I think they actually set it themselves. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 2:48:58 PM
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| Then the handwriting is on the wall for sure. They all will be running citywide next time around and all with the same title. Now I am sure their salary will increase. The taxpayers will not see the savings they thought they would. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
 Posted - 11/09/2011 : 4:05:59 PM
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If they set the salary for the new council, board, or whatever they're called, we'll at least have the opportunity to really see who is looking out for us & who's looking out for themselves!
I understand it's anticipated that there will be more work & fewer people doing it so the salary should, within reason, increase but it will be interesting to see how it's handled. I can't see any of them approving really high salaries while we continue to have tax increases & high unemployment. At least not if they want to be one of the (s)elected few......... |
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cozulady
Senior Member
165 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 4:35:55 PM
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| I ran some numbers to see where costs really would fall. Currently we have 18 on the CC at $5500/ yr or $99,000 and 7 on the BOA at $7500 yr or $52,500 for a total of $151,500 (not in clouding the little extra the presidents get). Now the amount being tossed around is $20,000 per member or $220,000 without health--a difference of $68,500. Now that is a little less than the total tab for health insurance, but it increases the value of the pensions hence increasing the long term cost to the taxpayer. Now tell me, where do we save money? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 9:55:39 PM
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I couldn't agree with you more. Voters just didn't see beyond today. To go along with the City Council raise, we can probably expect a raise for the mayor and the school committee as well. This is going to end up costing us plenty. Just wait and see. What a mistake, people just didn't look at the entire picture. I will never understand how easily influenced people are. This is truly a sad day for Everett.
Also, to all those "friends" on the Common Council, I hope you understand the administration threw you under the bus and most of you will not be in city government two years from now. Please, do the right thing for the taxpayers over the next two years and stop rubber stamping everything from this administration. |
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Charter Review
