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2009-2010 LWVN Charter Study

October 24, 2010

  • Charter Study Report

  • Charter Study Report Appendix

Excerpt from the Introduction to the final report of Charter Study:

In May of 2009, the League launched a study of Newton’s charter.  The last formal charter study was in 1966, so another review was overdue.  While many individuals in Newton have strong opinions about the structure of its government, a guiding principle of the study was to avoid starting with conclusions.

The study undertook to review the branches of government, the electoral process, and the key resources of the city (financial, human, and land resources), whether presently governed by the charter or not, and to compare our city to other models.  The next step was to consider whether our city is served by our current model, or whether a change is recommended.  We looked beyond just changes to the charter and examined various ways to improve the operation of our city government.

We have concluded that the League could benefit by adding support positions in the Government section of our Local Program.  These support positions would prepare the League for meaningful action in several ways, such as

  • Lobbying a charter commission, to the extent that one is elected (which could happen without League support)
  • Lobbying for certain changes to the charter via home rule petition
  • Supporting or opposing an ordinance related to a League position
  • Supporting or introducing a change in the administrative code

Few, if any, of the changes recommended by the study were without dissenting opinions.

Charter Study Resources

General Resources

  • Charter Study Resource Page

State Resources

From Marilyn Contreas, senior program and policy analyst at the Department of Housing and Community Development
  • MA City charters available online
  • Charter Summaries of Home Rule Charter Cities
  • City Council Composition Summary

League/LWVN Specific

  • Charter Study Overview: January 2010 Topic Meeeting Notes (Rhanna Kidwell)
  • How to do a Local League Study
  • Tips for Taking Consensus (LWV US)
  • LWVUS President Wilson Consensus Remarks
  • Charter Study Template (LWVN’s Charter Study Committee)

Legislative Subcommittee

  • January 1971: Efficiency Committee Report (effort to reduce “time spent in Board meetings”)
  • September 1987: Recommendation on Reorganization of the Offices of City Clerk and Clerk of the Board of Aldermen, Ald. Susan Basham.
  • September, 1995: Historical Compendium, City of Newton Legislative Branch, 1874 – 1995, compiled by Robert Capeless.
  • February 2005: Blue Ribbon Commission on Compensation of Elected Officials in Newton
    • Memo re: Stipends for the BOA and the School Committee
    • Report of the Commission to Review the Salaries of Newton’s Elected Officials
  • February 2006: Proposal to reduce size of Board of Aldermen:
    • Memo 2/2/2006 from Ald. R. Lipof and Ald. V. Vance to BOA re: Reduction in the Size of the Board of Aldermen
    • Memo 2/10/2006: Executive Summary of 2/2/2006 Memo
    • Memo 2/17/2006: Response to Comments re: 2/2/2006 Memo
  • January 2007: Survey conducted by Ken Parker for Long Range Planning Committee re: Board of Aldermen

Education Subcommittee

  • Education Laws and Regulations
    • State Laws
    • State Regulations
    • Federal Laws
  • MASC (MA Assoc of School Committees)
    • Roles and Responsibilities for School Committees and Superintendents
    • Handbook for Massachusetts School Committee Members

Electoral Process Subcommittee

  • Draft of fact findings. Comparison of Newton’s electoral process to Model City Charter and selected comparable communities, Dec. 2009

Categories: Charter Commission

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Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: School Buildings and the Override, with Josh Morse, Newton Public Building Commissioner
  • The League Presents: City of Newton Override 2023
  • The League Presents: The Newton Energy Coach Service with Stephen Grody, Newton Citizens Commission on Energy

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Take Action & Contact Your Legislators

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA updated their cover photo.

1 month ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Newton voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required! All registered voters in Newton should have received their official 2023 Vote by Mail Application this week, in plenty of time to Vote by Mail in the Newton Special Election on the override proposal. Full details of how to vote by mail are here: www.newtonma.gov/government/elections/absentee-voting ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Join us for a conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of the MA 4th District on Wednesday, Feb 15 at 7:30pm!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/event/congressmanauchincloss-feb2023/Register at bit.ly/talk-with-jake ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
LWVN is again offering two scholarships to high school seniors in Newton! We are pleased to have increased our scholarship award for the class of 2023 to $2,000 each!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/lwvn-scholarship-program/Candidates should apply online at bit.ly/LWVNAPPLY23 Deadline extended to March 31, 2023! ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

5 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Election Day is one week away! Not sure what's on the ballot or how to vote in the midterm elections? Get your election questions answered at www.vote411.org and watch forums on the 4 Massachusetts ballot questions at lwvma.org/ballot-question-forums/ ... See MoreSee Less

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

© 2023 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

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