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Medford Charter Study Committee

June 8, 2023

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What is the Medford Charter Study Committee?

  • 9 Medford residents appointed by Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn to:
    • Comprehensively study Medford’s Current Charter;
    • Gather Input from the Community; and
    • Propose Recommendations on Changes and Content.
  • With help from UMass Boston’s Collins Center for Public Management.

medfordma.org/charterstudy

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What is a City Charter?

  • Medford’s “Constitution.”
    • Creates the City of Medford as a legal entity.
    • Establishes the City’s powers.
    • Outlines the broad fundamentals of the City’s government.

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medfordma.org/charterstudy

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Why Review Medford’s Charter?

  • Keep Up with Modern Understanding of Best Practices. 
  • Respond to the Needs and Preferences of Residents. 
  • Maintain Consistency with State or Federal Law. 
  • Remain Consistent with Community Values and Cultural Changes.
  • Clarify Text that is Confusing or Disputed.
  • Provide Transparency on How City Government Operates.

medfordma.org/charterstudy

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What Is The Committee’s Process to Change the Charter?�

  1. The Charter Study Committee researches and reviews the current charter and gathers public input. 
  2. The Charter Study Committee submits a Final Report to the Mayor and the City Council.
    • Includes any Proposed Changes to the Charter.
  3. If both the Mayor and City Council approve, any Proposed Changes will be Submitted to the State Legislature. 
  4. If the Proposed Changes are approved by the State Legislature, they will be Voted On by the Medford Residents.

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Medford’s Current Charter

  • Modified “Plan A” Form of Government.
  • Adopted in 1986.
  • Formerly a “Plan E” Form of Government.
    • City Manager as the Chief Executive Officer.
  • Only a Few Communities retain a “Plan” Form of Government.
  • Does Not Exist in One Single Document.
  • Has Not Been Comprehensively Reviewed in Decades.

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Forms of Government

  • Mayor – Council
  • Council – Manager �

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Mayor / Council (Current Form)

  • Mayor is the City’s Chief Executive Officer:
    • Elected by the Voters
    • Oversight of day-to-day operations
    • Appoints Department Heads and Committee and Commission Members
    • Chairperson or member of School Committee
    • Submits the City’s Budget to the City Council
    • May or may not have Veto Power

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Council-Manager�

  • City Manager is the City’s Chief Executive Officer:
    • Appointed by the City Council.
      • Not Elected – Appointed Based on Qualifications.
      • Directly Accountable to City Council – Regular Performance Reviews.
    • Does Not Have Veto Power.
  • City Council is the Chief Governing Body:
    • Appoints all Department Heads and Committee and Commission Members.
    • Submits and Approves the Budget.
    • Can Elect A Member as ”Mayor.”

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Form of Government

  • Form of Government is a Major Component of Charter Review.
  • Remaining Choices Follow From The Form of Government.
  • The Charter Committee Will Rely on the Input of Medford Residents to Guide The Review Process.

medfordma.org/charterstudy

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Medford’s Elected Officials - Currently

  • Current Elected Officials:
    • Mayor.
    • 7 At-Large City Councilors.
    • 7 At-Large School Committee Members.
  • Municipal Elections are Non-Partisan.

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Medford’s Elected Officials – �What A Charter Establishes

  • Term Length.
  • Term Limits, if any.
  • Powers and Duties.
  • How Vacancies are Filled.
  • Compensation.
  • Composition of the City Council and School Committee, including the Mayor’s role.

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Other Considerations

  • Election Procedures.
    • Ballot position.
    • Recall process.
  • Organization of City Agencies. 
  • Citizen Participation Mechanisms.
  • Budget Policies and Procedures. 
  • Financial Procedures.
  • General Provisions.

medfordma.org/charterstudy

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Charter Review Starts With You!

  • What Brought You To This Meeting?
  • What Are the Most Important Parts of the Charter?
  • What Surprised You about Medford’s Charter?
  • What Would You Change about Medford’s Charter?

medfordma.org/charterstudy

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