Charter Resources

In Massachusetts, a town may change its form of government by creating a new “Charter.” The town must vote to create a 9-person Charter Commission. If the vote passes, the Charter Commission then has 18 months to define the changes to be made to the government, and this must be approved by the state legislature. The charter defines such things as the structure of government, including committees, departments, and boards; the budget procedure; and the authority for management of the town.

The charter question on the Municipal Ballot for Plymouth in May 2021 passed. The commission is now meeting regularly and will solicit citizen input. See the Charter Commission page on the Plymouth Town website. The LWV of the Plymouth Area is closely following the progress of the commission.

Resources from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Plymouth Area League of Women Votes has compiled a list of resources to help educate and inform voters about this very important decision.

Plymouth’s current charter, filed January 17, 2019
A Study on Structural Changes in local Government in the Commonwealth of MA
by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. The history of Plymouth’s charter activities begins on Page 42.
Changing Local Government Structure, from the Department of Housing and Community Development

Local Videos

Plymouth Form of Government: Plymouth Town Meeting Members and candidates for the Charter Commission Bill Abbott and Mike Hanlon discuss the process of assessing the form of government that we have in Plymouth. Recorded March 23, 2021. A PACTV InFocus program, hosted by Julie Thompson.

Town Government Forum: The League of Women Voters of Sharon-Stoughton hosted a forum with area leaders discussing various forms of town government and different roles that might be defined in a charter:

Open vs Representative Town Meeting
Mayor
Town Manager
Town Council
Selectboard

The forum is moderated by Adam Dawkins, Former Town Moderator from Stoughton and the following five panelists:

William Alexopoulos, Town Council Member and former Selectman from Randolph;
Brian Howard, Town Manager from Randolph;
Michael Dutton, Town Manager from Bridgewater and a member of the Mass. Municipal Assoc.;
Andrew Nebenzahl, Town Moderator and Charter Commission member from Sharon
Sharon Debra Roberts, Select Board and Town Meeting Rep from Stoughton

This video is available on Sharon Public TV. It will be broadcast on PACTV (check PACTV for dates).

Local Media

Check PACTV for events and news about the Charter Commission
Old Colony Memorial (https://www.wickedlocal.com/oldcolonymemorial/) carryies many Letters to the Editor and will continue reporting on the Commission’s activities.