The Charter Commission was elected last November. Their job is to review the city’s charter (governing law) and come up with recommendations on how it may be improved.
For the past four months they have been meeting, gathering public input, and coming to various detailed recommendations for possible tweaks and minor improvements. Starting with this past week’s meeting they’ve begun tackling the biggest job of the charter review process – determining the overall form of government.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that they are now in the midst of evaluating the possibility of switching to an Open Town Meeting or a Representative Town Meeting form of government. Said commission member Jane Franz “when I first heard the idea floated, frankly I thought they were making a joke”. As the commission began digging in, it slowly became apparent that it was a possibility worth exploring.
Says Commissioner Chris Steele “Open Town Meeting is probably a long shot but it hasn’t been ruled out yet. In Open Town Meeting all the registered voters become the legislative body. When Town Meetings are held all voters can attend and all have an equal vote. For a city the size of Newton that might be a bit too unwieldly. With Representative Town Meeting the voters elect the Town Meeting members and they vote at the meetings. By Massachusetts statute there must be between 45 – 240 Town Meeting members and they must be elected in roughly equal proportion to the population, by precinct.
The overwhelming number of towns in Massachusetts including most of our neighbors and some towns roughly the same size as Newton (Framingham, Plymouth) all have some form of Town Meeting government.
For many the idea of such a radical change to the charter might be a bit worrying. As one Village 14’er warned a year ago “once you open up the charter, anything can happen”. Perhaps the most ironic part of all this is that many voted for the charter commission in hopes of reducing the size of the City Council. In its place we could end up with 240 new elected Town Meeting members instead.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to all though is the issue of “identity”. Despite the fact that we are a suburban town, Newton has always been overly proud of its official designation as a “city”. As soon as we adopt Town Meeting form of government the state will immediately re-designate us as a “town”. Given how much hard it was for many to give up the name “alderman” for “city councilor”, I’m guessing “Town of Newton” may just be a bridge too far.
For me personally, I’d love to see an Open Town Meeting form of government. The thought of a packed house at Town Hall having a direct vote on swimming in Crystal Lake, or banning leaf blowers sends a hyper-democratic chill up my spine.
Bad idea. And ironic that our Charter Comission would even be discussing this on the same week that Framingham is considering becoming a city.
Bad idea. And ironic that our Charter Comission would even be discussing this on the same week that Framingham is considering becoming a city.
Some have said that Newton is unique due to its 13 (14) Villages but that does not have to be lost with a switch from City to Town. I grew up in the town of Manlius, with three distinct villages.
I imagine though that Tom Sheff and the League will have a cow since they can only see a smaller board. If 24 is too many how does 240 sound.
As long as this does not reduce the governing power of Area Councils, the driving force behind Newton, we should explore this option.
Actually Groot. Town meeting communities usually have smaller elected boards. For example, Needham has a five person board of selectmen.
Some have said that Newton is unique due to its 13 (14) Villages but that does not have to be lost with a switch from City to Town. I grew up in the town of Manlius, with three distinct villages.
I imagine though that Tom Sheff and the League will have a cow since they can only see a smaller board. If 24 is too many how does 240 sound.
As long as this does not reduce the governing power of Area Councils, the driving force behind Newton, we should explore this option.
Actually Groot. Town meeting communities usually have smaller elected boards. For example, Needham has a five person board of selectmen.
Folks, nothing has been ruled in or out yet. As I mentioned above, we have not ruled anything out yet. It would be unusual for a municipality of our size, but we want to make sure that no stone remains unturned. We don’t know what we will find underneath until we look.
Folks, nothing has been ruled in or out yet. As I mentioned above, we have not ruled anything out yet. It would be unusual for a municipality of our size, but we want to make sure that no stone remains unturned. We don’t know what we will find underneath until we look.
Actually Greg. Needham has 256 elected Town Meeting Members in addition to the 5 person Board of Selectman.
My point Jerry is that you can have a big town meeting and a smaller board of elected leaders, which might satisfy anyone looking for a smaller board.
Actually Greg. Needham has 256 elected Town Meeting Members in addition to the 5 person Board of Selectman.
My point Jerry is that you can have a big town meeting and a smaller board of elected leaders, which might satisfy anyone looking for a smaller board.
I covered neighboring Brookline for 20 years–Town of Brookline, with 240-plus Town Meeting Members. THe 5-member Board of Selectmen was regularly overruled by the TM, particularly on urgent questions of independence for Tibet, banning polystyrene containers, etc. George Mansfield will tell you (and I concur), that Brookline’s Zoning Code is the better for the semi-annual (as opposed to bi-weekly) opportunity to reform the code–every bit of legislation gets much more scrutiny and vigorous debate. Personally, even though I support a SMALLER City Council, I would support a representative Town Meeting form of government. Brookline is very well-run as is the Town of Wellseley. (Having a strong Town Manager helps a lot, BTW).
I covered neighboring Brookline for 20 years–Town of Brookline, with 240-plus Town Meeting Members. THe 5-member Board of Selectmen was regularly overruled by the TM, particularly on urgent questions of independence for Tibet, banning polystyrene containers, etc. George Mansfield will tell you (and I concur), that Brookline’s Zoning Code is the better for the semi-annual (as opposed to bi-weekly) opportunity to reform the code–every bit of legislation gets much more scrutiny and vigorous debate. Personally, even though I support a SMALLER City Council, I would support a representative Town Meeting form of government. Brookline is very well-run as is the Town of Wellseley. (Having a strong Town Manager helps a lot, BTW).
@Greg, but the Town Meeting Members are also elected. As I understand, one of the reasons for a smaller board is to see contested elections which adding more elected officials seems to counter. Not knowing about how Town Meeting Members are elected perhaps it is one big list with the top (how ever many members are needed) vote getters being winners.
@Greg, but the Town Meeting Members are also elected. As I understand, one of the reasons for a smaller board is to see contested elections which adding more elected officials seems to counter. Not knowing about how Town Meeting Members are elected perhaps it is one big list with the top (how ever many members are needed) vote getters being winners.
I don’t appreciate you leaving out the quote that I gave you. The people deserve to know that I don’t think they are adequately represented by town meeting.
Unless and until we have a referendum on every item before the board, we won’t have real democracy, and I’m talking with a small d.
I don’t appreciate you leaving out the quote that I gave you. The people deserve to know that I don’t think they are adequately represented by town meeting.
Unless and until we have a referendum on every item before the board, we won’t have real democracy, and I’m talking with a small d.
Bryan, absolutely. Every voter should be able to determine everything.
Bryan, absolutely. Every voter should be able to determine everything.
Groot, this doesn’t bother me personally, as long as I know the commission does their due diligence. It looks like everyone is on the table to me.
Actually, I am in support of a weak mayor/city manager form of government. I believe the consistency of having a city manager and taking out the politics in budgeting would be a terrific improvement for the city.
Groot, this doesn’t bother me personally, as long as I know the commission does their due diligence. It looks like everyone is on the table to me.
Actually, I am in support of a weak mayor/city manager form of government. I believe the consistency of having a city manager and taking out the politics in budgeting would be a terrific improvement for the city.