This proposed charter will appear on the ballot at the next general
election on May 10, 2008, and, if approved by voters, will become
effective on July 1, 2009. You can download a copy by clicking the
link below (requires adobe acrobat reader).
A majority of the members
of the Charter Commission believe the adoption of the proposed Charter
recognizes the unique nature of the Town of Plymouth. It takes into
account the considerable challenges presented by the geographic size
of the Town and the extent of land available for development. It does
this by establishing a distinction between matters of government that
are operational in nature and those that are strategic, and allocates
responsibility according to that distinction.
Nothing in the proposed
Charter, or in any of our remarks, should be construed in any way as
a reflection on the people currently administering Town government and/or
providing services to the Town. Our review of the current form of government,
and testimony of its elected and appointed officials and staff, reinforces
our impression of the dedication and work ethic of those who serve the
Town. The proposed Charter is intended to accommodate the ongoing growth
and evolution of the Town, to increase the accountability of Town government,
and to enhance its ability to serve the citizens and taxpayers. It is
the result of 16 months of public meetings, oral and written testimony
from citizens, appearances by invited guests, and discussions among
the Commissioners in open session.
Background
The Charter Commission began
its work with discussion of the role of government and how its performance
can be improved, focusing on the following issues:
Accountability
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Transparency
Communication
and cooperation between branches of government
Long-term planning
Professional
management
The Review Process
In further preparation for
understanding the options and drafting a Charter, the Commission reviewed
current and past Plymouth charters, and took testimony from two former
charter commissioners and one appointed charter study committee member;
experts in various fields of local government; representatives of the
Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Massachusetts Municipal
Management Association; past and present elected officials of Plymouth
including members of the Planning Board; the Town Manager; Superintendent
of Schools; directors of Planning and Development and Economic Development;
Town Meeting representatives; Steering Committee members; the Town Manager
of Franklin, Massachusetts; Town Administrator of Burlington, Massachusetts;
City Councilor of Barnstable, Massachusetts; Town Manager of Brookline,
Massachusetts; and the Mayor of Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Explanation of Proposed
Charter - Significant Features and Differences
The Charter recommended
by this Commission has the following significant features:
It makes a distinction
between operational and strategic aspects of government;
It provides for
a popularly elected Mayor responsible for the operational aspects of
Town government;
It calls for
a five-member Executive Board that includes the Mayor;
It establishes
a Representative Assembly comprised of three members from each precinct,
meeting at least four times a year;
It provides for
a popularly elected President of the Assembly with appointing authority
to internal standing and other committees;
It creates Representative
Assembly standing committees to review and advise in the following subject
areas: Finance; Rules, By-Laws and Administration; Zoning and Planning;
Economic Development and Tourism; Education and Culture; and Open Space.
It creates a
Strategic Planning Council to advise on strategic goal setting, long-range
planning and policy-making;
It provides for
a revised recall procedure.
The proposed Charter retains
the professional Town Manager, to whom all town departments remain accountable.
There will continue to be a seven-member School Committee, a five-member
Planning Board, with a 3-year versus the current 5-year term, a five-member
Housing Authority and a five-member Redevelopment Authority.
Proposed Charter 