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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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The State Primary is Tuesday, September 6.  Don't forget to VOTE!

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2021 LWVN Member Handbook

An electronic version LWVN Member Handbook is now available.  Expect an updated handbook for 2022-23 in the late Fall.

LWV Mass. & US

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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: A Conversation with Carol Moore, Newton’s City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign, part 1
  • The League Presents: Newton’s Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: What it means to be a League of Women Voters member
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Three New School Committee Members

All past programs

Take Action & Contact Your Legislators

  • Support An Act Promoting Community Immunity
  • Support Public Health Measures 
  • Support Racial and Gender Parity
  • Take Action on the Votes Act
  • Potential Cuts to MBTA Service

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  • City of Newton Info
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    • Observer Notes

Facebook Posts

Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

mailchi.mp

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

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

mailchi.mp

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

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

lwvnewton.org

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

mailchi.mp

Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
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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.

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