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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4230 FILED ON: 3/27/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3747
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Jerald A. Parisella
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the home rule charter of the city of Beverly.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Jerald A. Parisella6th Essex3/27/2023 1 of 36
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4230 FILED ON: 3/27/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3747
By Representative Parisella of Beverly, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3747) of
Jerald A. Parisella (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the home rule
charter of the city of Beverly. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval
Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act relative to the home rule charter of the city of Beverly.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. SECTION 1-7 of the charter of the city of Beverly which is on file in the
2office of the archivist of the commonwealth, as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the
3General Laws, is amended as follows:-
4 (1) Insert the following definitions:
5 (f) City website: a site established and maintained by the city as its online repository of
6municipal information on the internet.
7 (g) Department Head: The person having responsibility and oversight for the operation
8and management of a city department.
9 (h) District: the word “district” as appearing in Articles 4 and 7 of this charter shall mean
10the combining of wards 1, 2 and 3, and wards 4, 5 and 6 for the election of 2 school committee
11members, 1 to be elected from each such district. 2 of 36
12 (s) Regular Municipal Election: the words “regular municipal election” shall mean the
13biennial election of municipal officers.
14 (2)SECTION 1-7 is further amended by re-lettering the following subparts as
15follows: (f) becomes (i), (g) becomes (j), (h) becomes (k), (i) becomes (l), (j) becomes (m), (k)
16becomes (n), (l) becomes (o), (m) becomes (p), (n) becomes (q), (o) becomes (r), and (s)
17becomes (t).
18 3) Said charter is further amended in Section 1-7(c) by striking the “and” following the
19words “are posted”, and inserting the words “and the city website” at the end of the sentence.
20 SECTION 2. Said charter is further amended by striking out the words: “City election”
21“biennial election” “City biennial election,” “general City election,” or “regular election” in
22every instance and inserting in place thereof the words “regular municipal election wherever
23appearing.”
24 SECTION 3. Said charter is further amended in Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 as
25follows:- The words “Acting Mayor”, “Accountant,” “Administrative Code”, “Board of
26Registrars of Voters”, “Budget/Management Analyst”, “City”, “City Solicitor”, “Collector”,
27“Council”, “Councilor”, “Councilor-at-Large”, “City Clerk”, “Clerk”, “Conservation
28Commission” ”Director of Municipal Finance”, “Director of Municipal Inspections”, “Director
29of Planning and Development”, “District”, “Historic Districts Commission”, “Mayor”, “Planning
30Board”, “School Committee”, “Secretary”, “Treasurer”, and “Ward” are to appear in lower case
31in every instance. This change shall not apply to charter articles or section headings.
32 SECTION 4. Said charter is further amended in Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 as
33follows:- The word “section” is to be capitalized in its entirety as “SECTION”, in every instance. 3 of 36
34 SECTION 5. Said charter is further amended in Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 as
35follows:- The words “one”, “two”, “three”, “four”, “five”, “six”, “seven”, “eight”, and “nine”
36shall be changed to the digits “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” in all cases, except
37when the number is expressed as a word at the beginning of a sentence.
38 SECTION 6. The second and third sentences of SECTION 2-1(c) are hereby amended
39by striking out the words between “in the City” in the second sentence and “may continue” in the
40third sentence and combining the sentences into one sentence, and further amended by inserting
41the words “the councilor” before the words “may continue” and striking the word “for” before
42the words “which elected” and replacing it with the word “to”.
43 SECTION 7. Said charter is further amended in Section 2-2(a) by striking out the word
44“for” after the word “president” and inserting in place thereof the word “during”.
45 SECTION 8. Said charter is further amended in Section 2-2(c) by striking out the words
46“absence or disability” in the second and third sentences and inserting in place thereof the
47following: “inability to serve”.
48 SECTION 9. Said charter is further amended in the second sentence of Section 2-4(a)
49by adding the words “or decreasing” following the word “increasing.”
50 SECTION 10. Said charter is further amended in the first sentence of Section 2-6(b) by
51striking out the words “, but a smaller number may meet and adjourn from time to time.”
52 SECTION 11. Said charter is further amended in the first sentence of Section 2-6(c)(ii)
53by inserting the words “or by electronic mail to” following the words “residence of ”.
54 SECTION 12. Said charter is further amended in Section 2-8(a) as follows:- 4 of 36
55 (a) Inserting the following sentences after the first sentence: “In the case of a vacancy in
56the position, the city council shall fill such vacancy promptly. The council may advertise for the
57position and shall post the vacancy in accordance with SECTION 8-12 or retain consultant
58services for an individual to serve as budget/management analyst. The council may pursue either
59or both options for selection prior to determining whether the budget/management analyst shall
60serve as an employee or as a consultant.”
61 (b) Inserting the sentence “If the budget/management analyst is an employee, the salary
62for the position shall never be less than 1/2 the amount provided for the office of finance
63director.” as the last sentence of sub-section 2-8(a).
64 SECTION 13. Said charter is further amended in the first sentence of Section 2-8(b) by
65striking out the word “two” and inserting in place thereof the number “3”.
66 SECTION 14. Said charter is further amended in the first sentence of Section 2-8(c) by
67striking out word “two” and inserting in place thereof the number “3”.
68 SECTION 15. Said charter is further amended in Section 2-8(d) by inserting the words
69“and employees” after “officers”; by striking the word “office” and inserting in its place the
70words “offices and employees”.
71 SECTION 16. Said charter is further amended in Section 2-8(e) by striking out the
72words “substantially the same as those.”
73 SECTION 17. Said charter is further amended in the third sentence of Section 2-9(b) as
74follows:- by inserting the words “, but no later than the next scheduled council meeting following
75the passage of the 5 days above.” after the word “days,”. 5 of 36
76 SECTION 18. Said charter is further amended by striking section 2-9(c) in its entirety,
77except for the heading, and replacing it as follows:-
78 “Every proposed ordinance, appropriation order or loan authorization [except emergency
79ordinances as provided in SECTION 2-9(a)], shall be posted and/or published on the city bulletin
80board, city website and in the local newspaper, and in any additional manner required by this
81charter, or state or federal law, as well as be made available at the office of the city clerk at least
8210 days before final passage. Whenever a proposed ordinance would exceed in length more than
8310 column inches of ordinary newspaper notice print, then in lieu of publication of the full text of
84the ordinance in the local newspaper, the city clerk shall prepare and cause to be published in a
85local newspaper a summary of the proposed ordinance, including its purpose and provisions,
86along with a notice stating the times and places where the full text of the ordinance may be
87reviewed by the public. Such summary shall be subject to review by and approval by the city
88solicitor prior to publication in a local newspaper.
89 After final passage, the full text of any ordinance shall be posted on the City bulletin
90board and city website and steps shall be taken by the city clerk to forthwith incorporate such
91ordinance into the official publication of the complete city ordinances.”
92 SECTION 19. Said charter is further amended in SECTION 2-9(d) in the first and second
93sentences as follows:- The first sentence is amended by striking the number “24”” and inserting
94in place thereof the number “72”, and by inserting the word “Saturdays” after the word “hours”.
95The second sentence is amended by striking the word “twenty-four” and inserting in place
96thereof the number “72”. 6 of 36
97 SECTION 20. Said charter is further amended in SECTION 2-11(a) as follows:- by
98striking the words “then unexpired” in the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the
99word “concluding”; and by striking the last two sentences.
100 SECTION 21. Said charter is further amended in SECTION 2-11(b) by striking the four
101sentences now appearing and inserting in place thereof the following: “If a vacancy shall occur
102in the office of ward councilor in the first 18 months of the term to which councilors are elected,
103it shall be filled in the same manner as provided in SECTION 2-11(a) for the office of councilor-
104at-Large except that the list shall be of the candidates for the office of ward councilor in the ward
105in which the vacancy occurs.“
106 SECTION 22. The charter is further amended in SECTION 2-11(c) in the first sentence,
1072 sentences are inserted following the first sentence, and a new subsection (d) is added as
108follows:-
109 (1)The first sentence is amended by inserting the number “(1)” after the words
110“councilor and” and inserting the words “and (2) more than 6 months remains on” following
111“(b),”; by inserting the words “existing term, the,” following the word “the”; and by inserting the
112words “vote of” following the word ”by”.
113 (2) The subsection is amended by inserting the following two sentences following the
114first sentence:- “The council shall post notice of the vacancy for 14 days, and the council shall
115include among such candidates for the vacancy any candidates for the now vacant seat in the
116prior municipal election who were not elected and did not meet the criteria of SECTION 2-11 (a)
117or (b). The council president shall provide the opportunity for each candidate seeking to fill a
118vacancy to address the council prior to its vote to fill any vacancy.” 7 of 36
119 (3) The now appearing second sentence becomes the fourth sentence and is amended as
120follows:- by striking the word “chosen” and inserting in place thereof the word “elected”; and by
121striking the word “unexpired” following the words “remainder of the” and inserting in place
122thereof the words “balance of the concluding”.
123 (4) The provision is amended by inserting a new sub-section (d) as follows:- “If the
124vacancy shall occur during the last 6 months of the term of office, such vacancy for a ward
125councilor shall be filled by the person at the next regular municipal election who receives the
126highest number of votes for the office of ward councilor from that ward. Such vacancy for a
127councilor-at-large council seat shall be filled by the person at the next regular municipal election
128who is not presently serving and receives the highest number of votes for councilor-at-large from
129among the candidates for the office who are not presently serving. Such ward councilor or
130councilor at large person shall forthwith be certified by the city clerk to serve for the balance of
131the concluding term in addition to the term to which elected.”
132 SECTION 23. The charter is revised in SECTION 3-1(b) by striking out the word the
133word “two” and inserting in place thereof the number “4”.
134 SECTION 24. The charter is further amended in the second and third sentences of
135Section 3-1(c) as follows:-
136 1) the second sentence is amended by inserting the words “or decreasing” following
137the word “increasing”.
138 2) the third sentence is amended by striking the word “twelve” and replacing it with
139the number “36”; by striking the word “Councillors” and inserting in place thereof the words 8 of 36
140“the mayor is” following the word “which”, and adding the words “that includes the election of a
141mayor” following the word “election.”
142 SECTION 25. The charter is further amended in SECTION 3-3 as follows:
143 1) Amending the sixth sentence by replacing the number “8-15” with the number “8-
14414.”;
145 2) By striking the seventh, eighth, and ninth sentences in the subsection.
146 SECTION 26. The charter is further amended in Section 3-5 -Temporary Appointments
147to City offices - in the fifth sentence by inserting the words “In the case of a temporary vacancy,”
148prior to the word “no”; by striking the number “30” and inserting in place thereof the number
149“60”; and by inserting the phrase “30- day” following the number “1”. The provision is further
150amended in the fifth sentence following the words “permanent vacancy exists,” by inserting the
151words “the initial appointment shall be for not more than 60 days, and not more than (3) 30 day
152renewals of such appointment may be made following the initial appointment.”
153 SECTION 27. The charter is further amended in the first sentence of Section 3-6(b) by
154striking out the words “place of business or”, following the words “to the”; and by inserting the
155words “or by electronic mail to” following the words “residence of.”
156 SECTION 28. The charter is further amended in the first and second sentences of Section
1573-8(a) as follows:
158 1) The first sentence of the subsection is amended by striking out the words “, by
159reason of sickness, absence from the city or other cause,” following the word “Whenever”; and
160by deleting the words “successive working” following the word “five ”. 9 of 36
161 2) The second sentence as now appearing is stricken, and replaced as follows:- “If
162the city council president is unwilling or unable to serve, the councilor-at-large with the second
163highest number of votes in the most recent regular municipal election shall serve as acting
164mayor, and if said councilor is unwilling or unable to serve, the councilor-at-large with the third
165highest number of votes at the most recent regular municipal election shall serve as acting
166mayor. If none of the councilors-at-large are willing or able to serve as mayor, the council shall
167elect from among its membership a councilor to serve as acting mayor.”
168 SECTION 29. The charter is further amended in the second sentence of Section 3-8(b) by
169striking the words ”disability of the mayor” following the words “unless the” and inserting in
170place thereof the words “mayor’s inability to serve.”
171 SECTION 30. The charter is further amended in SECTION 3-9 as follows:-
172 (1)SECTION 3-9(a) is amended by striking out the number “15” and inserting in
173place thereof the number “39”; and striking the words “whether by reason of death, resignation,
174removal from office, incapacity or otherwise,”; by inserting the words “except for a vacancy as
175the result of a recall” after the words “term for which the Mayor is elected”, and striking the
176words “then expired” and inserting in place thereof “concluding” following the words “balance
177of the”.
178 (2)SECTION 3-9(b) is amended as follows:-
179 (a)by striking in the first sentence the words “in the last nine months of the term for
180which the Mayor is elected whether by reason of death, resignation, removal from office or
181otherwise”; and inserting in place thereof the words “after the thirty-ninth month” following
182the word “occurs”; 10 of 36
183 (b) By inserting a new sentence after the first sentence as follows:- “If the city
184council president is unwilling or unable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner set
185forth in SECTION 3-8(a).”
186 (c) The second sentence of SECTION 3-9(b) as now appearing becomes the third
187sentence and is amended by inserting after the words “city council”, the words “other councilor-
188at-large, or ward councilor”; and by striking the number “2-10” and inserting in place thereof “
1892-11”.
190 (d) Inserting a new subsection 3-9(c) as follows:- “(c) Vacancy as a result of recall
191election - If a mayoral vacancy exists as a result of a recall election, the vacancy shall be filled
192by a special election as provided in SECTION 7-14 (g) if such election can be held within the
193requirements of SECTION 7-14 (f) of this charter.”
194 (e) subsection (c) is re-lettered as subsection (d) and is further amended by:
195 (i)striking in the second sentence the words “unexpired”; by inserting the word “
196concluding” before the word “term”;
197 (ii) striking in the third sentence the words “to fill the office” after the word “elected”
198and inserting in place thereof the words “as mayor shall forthwith be certified by the city clerk
199and shall serve”; striking the word “ensuing” and inserting in its place “balance of the
200concluding”; striking the words “of office shall serve” after the word “term”; inserting “to the
201term to which such person was elected after the words “in addition”; and by striking the words
202“the balance of the then unexpired term” at the end of the sentence. 11 of 36
203 SECTION 31. The charter is further amended in SECTION 4-1(a) by amending the first
204sentence, adding a new second sentence, and amending the third sentence as follows:-
205 1) The first sentence is amended by striking the word “seven” and inserting in place
206thereof the number “9”.
207 2) A new sentence is inserted following the second sentence: “Two members shall
208be elected from districts composed as follows: District A shall be composed of wards 1, 2, and 3
209and District B shall be composed of wards 4, 5, and 6.”
210 3) The fourth sentence is amended by striking the word “seventh” following the
211words “as the” and inserting in place thereof the word “ninth.”
212 SECTION 32. The charter is further amended in Section 4-1(b) as follows:-
213 1) The first and second sentences of Section 4-1(b) are hereby amended by striking
214the words between “in the City” in the first sentence and “member” in the second sentence and
215combining the sentences into one sentence, and further amended by inserting the word “the”
216before the words “member may” and striking the word “for” before the words “which elected”
217and replacing it with the word “to”;
218 2) by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence: “ If a district school
219committee member shall during the first 18 months of the term of office remove to a ward of the
220city not in the district from which the member is elected, such district member may continue to
221serve for the balance of the term to which elected.”
222 3) The final sentence of this subsection is amended by inserting the words “or
223district” following the word “ward”. 12 of 36
224 SECTION 33. The charter is further amended in Section 4-1 as follows:-
225 (1) Section 4-1(c)(2) is amended by striking the words “may be deemed necessary or
226desirable” and inserting in place thereof the words “the general laws so provide.”
227 (2) Section 4-1(c) is amended by adding(4) before the unnumbered paragraph beginning
228with the words “The school committee shall” and ending with “building is delegated”, following
229paragraph (3).
230 SECTION 34. The charter is further amended in Section 4-1(f) by amending the first,
231second, third, and fifth sentences as follows:-
232 (a)The first sentence is amended as follows: -
233 (1)by inserting the words “or district school committee member” following the word
234“member”;
235 (2)by striking the number “20” and inserting in place thereof the number “18”, and
236by inserting the words "or district” following the word “ward”,
237 (3) by striking the word “that” and inserting in place thereof the word “such”
238following the word “from”,
239 (4)by inserting the words “or district” following the words “office of ward”,
240 (5)by striking the word “that” and inserting in place thereof “such” following the
241words “member in” and inserting the word “or district” after the word “ward”;
242 (b) The second sentence is amended as follows: - 13 of 36
243 (1) by striking the word “the” after the words “voters of” and inserting in place thereof
244the word “such”;
245 (2) by adding the words “or district” following the word “ward”.
246 (c) The third sentence is amended as follows: -
247 (1) striking the word “four” following the word “last” and inserting in place thereof the
248number “6”;
249 (2) by striking the word “that” following the word “from” and inserting in place thereof
250the word “such”,
251 (3) by inserting the words “or district” following the word “ward”.
252 (d) The fourth sentence of the subsection is amended by striking the words “last two
253months” and inserting the word “balance” in place thereof;
254 (e)The fifth sentence of the subsection is amended by inserting the words “or
255district” following the word “ward”; by striking the word “unexpired” and inserting in place
256thereof the word “concluding” and by inserting the words “as well as the term to which elected”
257following the word “term.”
258 SECTION 35. The charter is further amended in SECTION 4-2(a) in the first sentence by
259inserting the words “or district” following the word “ward.”
260 SECTION 36. The charter is further amended in SECTION 4-3 by striking the second
261sentence beginning “The city council” and ending with “such appropriations.” 14 of 36
262 SECTION 37. The charter is further amended by reformatting Article 5 such that
263subsections (1) and (2) wherever appearing, are stricken and inserted in place thereof by
264subsections (a) and (b), wherever appearing, and that clauses (a), (b), (c), etc. are stricken and
265replaced by insertion of clauses (1), (2), (3), etc.
266 SECTION 38. The charter is further amended in Section 5-1 as follows:
267 1) The first sentence and subsection (a) are deleted.
268 2) The first sentence in the “Administrative Code” subsection (formerly (b)) is
269amended by moving the following words as appearing in the final sentence of this provision
270following the words “business of the city”: “provided however that no function assigned by this
271charter to a particular city agency may be discontinued, or assigned to any other city agency
272unless this charter so specifically provides.”
273 3) The remainder of the final sentence of this provision is moved to become the
274second sentence of this subsection and is modified as follows:- by striking the words “to the
275same extent as is provided in SECTION 5-1(a), above, for ordinances;” between the word
276“necessary,” and the words “and for such”
277 4) The third sentence beginning “Whenever the mayor shall propose such a plan” is
278amended following the word “plan,” by inserting the words: “any proposed changes to the
279administrative code shall be accompanied by a message from the mayor which explains the
280expected benefits and advises the city council if changes proposed shall require amendments,
281insertions, or revisions, repeal or otherwise of existing ordinances” The sentence is further
282amended by replacing the clause beginning “the City Council” with a new sentence beginning 15 of 36
283“The city council” and inserting the words “and on the city website,” following the word
284“newspaper”.
285 SECTION 39. The charter is further amended in SECTION 5-4 by amending the second
286sentence of (a) and the second and fourth sentences of (b) as follows:-
287 1) the second sentence of SECTION 5-4(a) is amended by striking the words “which,
288prior to the adoption of the Home Rule Charter, were performed by or under the authority of the
289city auditor, the city treasurer, the city collector, the Chief Procurement Officer and the Board of
290Assessors;” and inserting in place thereof the words “shall include treasury, collection,
291accounting, and assessing;”
292 2) the second sentence in (b) is amended by striking the words “performing the duties of
293City Collector and City Treasurer.” and replacing them with the words “with management and
294oversight responsibility for treasury and/or collection functions.”;
295 3) the fourth sentence of (b) is amended by striking the words “state statutes” and
296inserting in place thereof “the general laws”, by inserting the word “the” following the word
297“ordinances,”, and by inserting the words “any accompanying” following the words “code and”.
298 4) the fifth sentence of (b) is amended by inserting after the word “The”:- “mayor may
299specify that the”, by striking the words “as the mayor may from time to time specify” following
300the words “ex officio”, by striking the word “or” before “Treasurer-Collector” and by inserting
301the words “or city accountant” following the word “treasurer-collector.”
302 SECTION 40. The charter is further amended in the third sentence of SECTION 5-5(b)
303by striking the words “state statutes” and inserting in place thereof the words “the general laws”. 16 of 36
304 SECTION 41. The charter is further amended in SECTION 5-7 in (a) and (b) as follows:-
305 1) SECTION 5-7(a)(2) is amended by inserting the words “and ensure compliance
306with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations regarding personnel and employment.”
307following the word “personnel”.
308 2) SECTION 5-7(a)(4) is amended by inserting the words “but not limited to”
309following the word “including”; and by inserting the word “discipline,” following the word
310“recruitment,”.
311 3) the third sentence of SECTION 5-7(b) is amended by striking the words “state
312statutes” following the word “with” and inserting in place thereof the words “the general laws”.
313 SECTION 42. The charter is further amended in SECTION 5-8 in the first sentence of (a)
314and the second sentence of (b) as follows:-
315 1) the first sentence of (a) is amended by striking the word “Historical” following
316the words “conservation commission” and inserting in place thereof the words “historic
317districts”.
318 2) the second sentence in (b) is amended by striking the words “state statutes”
319following the word “with” and inserting in place thereof the words “the general laws”.
320 SECTION 43. The charter is further amended in Article 6 as follows:-
321 The charter is amended in SECTION 6-2(a) in the first and final sentences as follows:-
322 1) The first sentence is amended by inserting the words “and posted on the Beverly
323Public Schools website and the city website,” following the word “newspaper”. 17 of 36
324 2) The final sentence is amended by inserting the words “Following the public
325hearing,” prior to the words “the school committee”; striking the word “not” following the word
326“shall”; and striking the words “until all persons who desire to be heard concerning the budget
327proposal have had an opportunity to be heard.”
328 SECTION 44. The charter is further amended in SECTION 6-2(b) by striking the word
329“article” following the word “this” and inserting in place thereof “Article”.
330 SECTION 45. The charter is further amended in the second sentence of SECTION 6-3 by
331inserting the words: “, and shall post such notice and summary on the city website, as well as the
332complete proposed budget.” following the words “proposed budget”.
333 SECTION 46. The charter is further amended in SECTION 6-4 by striking the words “or
334as may be required by the provisions of a city ordinance.” following the word “desirable.”
335 SECTION 47. The charter is further amended in SECTION 6-5 in the second sentence by
336striking the words “or as a city ordinance may require.” following the word “desirable; and by
337amending (a), and (d) as follows:
338 1) In (a) by striking the words “and position” following the word “agency” and
339inserting the word “staffing” following the word “programs,”.
340 2) In (d) by striking the words “free cash” and inserting in place thereof the words
341“budgetary fund balances”.
342 SECTION 48. The charter is further amended in SECTIONS 6-6 (a) and (c) as follows:- 18 of 36
343 1) The heading of section (a) is amended by striking the word “hearing” and inserting the
344word “Hearing” in its place. The first sentence in (a) is amended by inserting the words “post on
345the city website and” following the word “shall”.
346 2) The first sentence of (c) is amended by striking the words “60 days following day the
347proposed budget is received by it, or such other period as may be” following the word “within“
348and inserting in place thereof the words “ the time frame as is”.
349 3) The third sentence of (c) is amended by striking the words “60 days following the date
350of its receipt of the proposed budget, or such other period as may be” and inserting in place
351thereof the words “the period as”.
352 4) A new sentence is inserted in (c) after the third sentence as follows: - “The final
353budget shall be posted on the city’s website.”
354 SECTION 49. The charter is further amended in SECTION 6-7(b) by amending the first,
355third, and fourth sentences as follows:-
356 1) The first sentence is amended by striking the word “to” and inserting in place
357thereof the word “for” following the word “appropriated”.
358 2) The third sentence is amended by inserting the words “and on the city website”
359following the word “board”.
360 3) The fourth sentence is amended by inserting the words “and city website”
361following the word “board”. 19 of 36
362 SECTION 50. The charter is further amended in the first sentence of SECTION 6-7(c) as
363follows by inserting the words “posting on the city’s website and” following the words “notice
364by”.
365 SECTION 51. SECTION 6-9 -Independent Audit- as now appearing is amended by
366striking the section in its entirety, except for the heading, and replacing it as follows:- The city
367council shall select a certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants to
368annually conduct an outside audit of the books and accounts of the city. Such accountant or firm
369shall have no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the city or any of its
370officers.
371 The council will be assisted in this effort by an Audit Committee to be composed of the
372council’s Property and Finance Committee chair, who will serve as chair of the Audit
373Committee, the city’s finance director, the city accountant, a resident chosen by the city council
374president with experience in public finance, or public accounting and auditing, and the
375budget/management analyst for the council. The audit committee will assist the council in
376preparing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), perform due diligence in the dissemination of
377the RFQ, evaluate responses, conduct any necessary firm interviews and make a
378recommendation to the council. The audit committee shall meet following the conclusion of
379each annual audit to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the audit firm. The city
380council shall assure the conduct of the outside audit and shall annually request a sum of money
381sufficient to satisfy the estimated cost of conducting the audit as presented to the mayor, in
382writing, at the time of the city clerk’s submission of its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal
383year to the mayor. The city council shall submit the award of the audit and proposed contract to
384the mayor to be signed. The award of a contract to audit shall be made by the city council on or 20 of 36
385before September 15 of each year. The report of the audit shall be filed in final form with the city
386council not later than March 31 in the year following its award. At least every 5 years, the city
387council shall conduct the procurement process as described in this SECTION to retain these
388auditing services.
389 SECTION 52. The charter is further amended in Article 7 by amended the title of the
390Article as follows:- insert the word “and” between the words “Elections” and “Election”.
391 SECTION 53. Section 7-3(a) is amended as follows:-) 1) by inserting the words “district
392school committee member, not less than 75 signatures, all of which must be from the wards
393included in the district from which the nomination is sought, provided however, that not more
394than 25 signatures from any one ward shall be counted in the minimum number of required
395signatures;” following the words “for the office of”; and
396 2) by inserting the words “and ward school committee member” following the word
397“councilor”.
398 SECTION 54. The charter is further amended in SECTION 7-3(c) by amending the first
399sentence, striking the second sentence and amending the third sentence as follows:-
400 1) The first sentence is amended by striking the words “The two persons” at the
401beginning of the sentence and inserting in place thereof the words “No more than twice the
402number of candidates to be elected to the same office”.
403 2) The second sentence of this subsection is stricken.
404 3) The third sentence of this subsection is amended by striking the word “his” and
405inserting in place thereof the word “their”. 21 of 36
406 SECTION 55. The charter is further amended in the last sentence of SECTION 7-3(d) as
407follows:-
408 1) By inserting the words “for one or more offices” following the words “no
409names”;
410 2) By striking the word “in” following the word “used” and inserting in place thereof
411the words “at a preliminary election for”;
412 3) By striking the words “ward or wards” following the word “particular” and
413inserting in place thereof the words “office or offices”;
414 4) By striking the word “in” following the word “held” and inserting in place thereof
415the word “for”;
416 5) By striking the words “ward or wards” following the word “such” and inserting in
417place thereof the words ”office or offices”.
418 SECTION 56. The charter is further amended in SECTION 7-7 as follows:
419 1) The first sentence is amended by striking the word “which” following the word
420“petition” and inserting in place thereof “that” and by striking the word “which” following the
421word “and”.
422 2) The second sentence is amended by striking the words “three months” following
423the word “than” and inserting in place thereof the words “90 days”.
424 3) The fourth sentence is amended by striking the words “48 hours” following the
425words “at least” and inserting in place thereof the words “5 days”. 22 of 36
426 4) The fifth sentence is amended by inserting after the word “expense” the following
427words: “, and shall include both newspaper publication and posting on the city website.”
428 SECTION 57. The charter is further amended in SECTION 7-8 (a),(c), (d), (e), (f), (g)
429and (h); replacing the current subsection (b) in its entirety, except for the heading; renumbering
430all subsections following (c) (i.e., [c] becomes [d], [d] becomes [e], etc.); as follows:-
431 1) SECTION 7-8(a) is amended in the first sentence by striking the word “an” and
432inserting in place thereof the words “a proposed”; by striking the words “Clerk of the Council”
433following the word “the” and inserting in place thereof “city clerk”; by striking the words “as
434the case may be”, by striking the words “10% of the total number of voters as of the date of the
435most recent regular city election” following the words “at least” and inserting in place thereof the
436words “250 voters.” Two new sentences are inserted after the second sentence as follows:- “At
437least 25 signatures must be certified from each ward. The petition shall be accompanied by an
438affidavit signed by 10 voters and containing their residential address stating those voters will
439constitute the petitioners committee and be responsible for circulating the petition and filing it in
440proper form.” SECTION 7-8(a) is further amended by striking the final three sentences.
441 2) The charter is further amended by striking SECTION 7-8(b) as now appearing in
442its entirety, except for the subheading, and replaced as follows:- “The city clerk or the secretary
443of the school committee shall, immediately following receipt of a proposed petition, deliver a
444copy of the petition to the board of registrars of voters. If the board of registrar of voters
445determines that a petition has be signed by at least 250 voters, the petition shall be transmitted
446forthwith to the city solicitor. The city solicitor shall, within 30 days following receipt of a copy
447of the petition, in writing, advise the city council or the school committee and the city clerk 23 of 36
448whether the measure as proposed may lawfully be proposed by the initiative process and
449whether, in its present form, it may lawfully be adopted by the city council or the school
450committee. If the opinion of the city solicitor is that the measure is not in proper form, the reply
451shall state the reasons for this opinion, in full. A copy of the opinion of the city solicitor shall be
452mailed to the members of the petitioners committee.”
453 3) The charter is further amended by inserting a new (c) as follows:-
454 “(c) Submission to City Clerk - If the city solicitor determines that the petition is in a
455proper form, the city clerk shall provide blank forms for the use of subsequent signers and shall
456print at the top of each blank form a fair, concise summary of the proposed measure, as
457determined by the city solicitor, together with the names and addresses of the first 10 voters who
458signed the originating petition. The city clerk shall notify the petitioners committee that the blank
459forms are issued. Within 60 days following the date of the notice, the petition shall be returned
460and filed with the city clerk signed by at least 10 per cent of the total number of voters as of the
461date of the most recent regular municipal election. Signatures to an initiative petition need not all
462be on one paper, but all papers pertaining to any single measure shall be fastened together and
463shall be filed as a single instrument, with the endorsement on it of the name and address of the
464person designated as filing the papers. With each signature on the petition there shall also appear
465the street and number of the residence of each signer. Within 10 days following the filing of the
466petition, the registrars of voters shall ascertain the number of voters that signed the petition and
467the percentage that number is of the total number of voters as of the date of the most recent
468regular municipal election. The registrars of voters shall attach to the petition a certificate
469showing the results of its examination and shall return the petition to the city clerk or the 24 of 36
470secretary of the school committee, depending on how the petition is addressed. A copy of the
471registrars of voters' certificate shall also be mailed to the members of the petitioners committee.”
472 4) SECTION 7-8(c) as now appearing is renumbered as SECTION 7-8(d) and is
473amended in the heading, first sentence, third sentence, and fourth sentence, as follows:-
474 (a) the heading is amended by striking the word “petitions” and inserting in place thereof
475“Petitions”, by striking in the first sentence the words “Clerk of the Council” following the
476words “to the” and inserting in place thereof “city clerk”; by inserting the words “school
477committee, the city council or the” following the words “of the”; by striking the words “by the
478City Solicitor and” following the word “committee”; by striking the words “the city council or
479school committee” following the words “2-9(c),”.
480 (b) the third sentence is amended by striking the words “with respect to any initiative
481petition which is presented to it” following the word “act”; by striking the word “it” after the
482word “date” and inserting in place thereof the words “the measure”; by striking the words “by
483the city solicitor” following the word “it”.
484 (c) The fourth sentence is amended by striking “Clerk of the Council” following the word
485“the” and inserting in place thereof the words “city clerk”; by striking the words “person
486designated on the petition as having filed the same” following the words “to the” and inserting in
487place thereof the words “petitioners committee”.
488 5) SECTION 7-8(d) as now appearing is re-lettered as (e) and is amended in the
489heading and first and second sentences; inserting a new third sentence; the now appearing third
490sentence becomes the fourth sentence and is amended; as follows:- 25 of 36
491 (a) In the heading by striking the word “petitions” following the word “Supplementary”
492and inserting in place thereof the word “Petitions”; in the first sentence, amending the first
493sentence by striking the words “Clerk of the Council” following the words “with the” and
494inserting in place thereof the words “city clerk””; by inserting the words “, but only by persons
495constituting the original petitioners committee” following “school committee”.
496 (b) The second sentence is amended by striking the words “which is” following the word
497“voters”; by inserting the words “at least” following the words “equal to”; by striking “%” and
498inserting in place thereof “percent”; by inserting the words “, and shall be examined by the
499registrars of voters who shall issue a certificate as provided in subsection (c) within 10 days of
500the submission of the supplemental petitions.” following the word “election.”
501 (c) SECTION 7-8(e) is amended by inserting a new sentence following the second
502sentence as follows:- “The signatures on the initial petition filed under subsection (c) and the
503signatures on the supplemental petition under this subsection, taken together, shall contain the
504signatures of at least 15 percent of the total number of voters as of the date of the most recent
505regular municipal election.”
506 (d) The fourth sentence of SECTION 7-8(e) is amended by striking the word “such” and
507inserting in place thereof the word “this” following the words “signatures to”; by inserting the
508words “registrars of voters and a certificate issued as described above is submitted to the”
509following the words “by the”; by striking the words “fixed by it” following the words “a date”;
510by striking the words “City Clerk” and inserting in place thereof “registrars of voters” following
511the words “of the”; by striking the words “any other” following the word “if”; by inserting the
512word “a” before the words “regular municipal”; by striking the word “said” following the word 26 of 36
513“the”; by striking the word “the” following the word “omit;”; by striking the words “of such”
514following the word ”calling” and inserting in place thereof “the”; by striking the word “said”
515following the word “cause” and inserting in place thereof the word “the”; and by striking the
516word “such” following the word “at” and inserting in place thereof the word “the”.
517 6) The current (e) is re-lettered as (f) – Publication – and is amended in the first and
518second sentences as follows:-
519 (a) the first sentence is amended by striking the word “any” and inserting in place thereof
520“an”; by striking “a” and inserting in place thereof “at least 1”.
521 (b) the second sentence in the subsection is amended by inserting the words “and shall be
522posted on the city website” following the word “clerk”.
523 7) The current (f) is renumbered as (g) - Form of question - and is amended in the
524heading by striking the word “question” and inserting in place thereof the word “Question”
525following the word “of”; the first sentence is amended by striking the words “voters in”
526following the word “by”; the last sentence is amended by striking the words “full text”
527following the words “insert the” and inserting in place thereof “fair, concise summary” following
528the words “insert the”; by striking the words “or a fair concise summary prepared” following the
529word “measure”; by inserting the words “as determined ” following the word “measure”; by
530striking the words “petitioners, and approved by the” following the words “determined by the”;
531by inserting the words “as referenced in subsection (c).” following the words “city solicitor”
532 8) SECTION 7-8(g) as now appearing is re-lettered as (h) and is amended at the
533beginning of the sentence by inserting the words “Subject to the requirements of SECTION 7-
53413, and changing “If” to “if” following the words SECTION 7-13”; by striking the word 27 of 36
535“forthwith” following the word “effective” and inserting in place thereof the word
536“immediately”; by striking the word “such” following the word “in” and inserting in place
537thereof the word “the” and by striking the remainder of the sentence following the word
538“measure”.
539 SECTION 58. The charter is further amended in SECTION 7-9 in the first sentence and
540second sentences of (a); the first sentence of (b); and inserting a new sentence following the first
541sentence of (b) as follows:-
542 (a) The first sentence of SECTION 7-9(a) is amended by striking the number “20”
543following the word “within” and inserting in place thereof the number “21”; by striking the word
544“of” following the word “approve,” by striking the number “12%” following the words “equal
545to” and inserting in place thereof “at least 15 per cent”; by striking the words “as may be”
546following “committee”; by striking the word “thereof” following the word “part” and inserting in
547place thereof the words “of it”; by striking the words “Clerk of the Council” following the word
548“or” and inserting in place thereof “city clerk”; by striking the word “such” following the words
549“date of” and inserting in place thereof the word “that”.
550 2) The second sentence of the SECTION 7-9(a) is amended by striking the word
551“forthwith” following “shall” and inserting in place thereof the word “immediately”; by striking
552the word “such” following the words “vote on” and inserting in place thereof the word “the” ; by
553striking the word “thereof” following the word “part” and inserting in place thereof the words
554“of it”; by striking the word “such” following the word “if” and inserting in place thereof the
555word “the”; by striking the word “or” following the word “convenience”; by striking the word “,
556but” following the word “election” and inserting in place thereof the words “; provided, however, 28 of 36
557that”; by striking the word “such” following the word “pending” and inserting in place thereof
558“this” and by striking the word “such” following the words “effect of” and inserting in place
559thereof the word “the”.
560 3) The first sentence of SECTION 7-9(b) is amended in by striking the word “insofar”
561following the words “petition and”; by striking the word “and” following “(c)” and inserting the
562words “and (g) insofar as the section relates to the filing and certification of signatures, and the
563ballot question” following “(f)”; by striking the word “thereof” following the word “part” and
564inserting in place thereof “of it”;. The subsection is further amended by the addition of a new
565sentence after the first sentence: “Subject to the requirements of SECTION 7-13, the measure or
566part thereof protested against shall be null and void unless a majority of those voting on the
567question shall vote in favor of the measure or part of it protested against at the election.”
568 SECTION 59. Article 7 of the charter is further amended by the insertion of a new
569section 7-13 as follows:- “SECTION 7-13. Required Voter Participation. For any measure to be
570effective under the initiative procedure and for any measure to be declared null and void under
571the referendum procedure, at least 20% of the voters as of the most recent regular municipal
572election must vote at an election that includes on the ballot submission to the voters of 1 or more
573initiative or referendum questions.”
574 SECTION 60. The charter is further amended by renumbering SECTION 7-13 as
575SECTION 7-14; by inserting a new 7-14(b)(3) following 7-14(b)(2) and renumbering of the
576subsequent clauses ((e.g., the now appearing clause (b)(3) becomes (b)(4) etc.); amending 7-14
577(b)(4); and amending 7-14(c), (e) and (g) as follows:- 29 of 36
578 (a)a new SECTION 7-14(b)(3) is inserted following 7-14(b)(2) as follows: “Office
579elected by district: Two hundred or more voters may file with the board of registrars of voters an
580affidavit containing the name of the officer sought to be recalled and a statement of the grounds
581for the recall. The signatures on such affidavit shall contain the names only of voters in the
582district from which the officer was elected.”
583 (b) SECTION 7-14(b)(4) is amended as follows:- In the first sentence by inserting
584the words “or district” following the word “ward”. The section is further amended in the third
585sentence by striking the number “21” and inserting in place thereof the number “28” and by
586inserting the words “or district” following the word “ward,”.
587 (c) SECTION 7-14(c) is amended by striking number “35” and inserting in place thereof
588the number “65”.
589 (d) SECTION 7-14(e) is amended by striking the number“7-13(f)” and inserting in place
590thereof the number “7-14(f)”.
591 (e) SECTION 7-14(f) is amended in the second sentence by striking the word “six” and
592inserting in place thereof the number “9”.
593 (f) SECTION 7-14(g) is amended in the first sentence by striking the number “60” and
594inserting in place thereof the number “65”.
595 SECTION 61. The heading of Section 8-1 is hereby amended following the word
596“Changes” by inserting the words:- “and Charter Review.” 30 of 36
597 SECTION 62. The charter is further amended in Article 8 by amending SECTIONS 8-
5981(a) in the first sentence; 8-1(b) in the second sentence; 8-5 in the second sentence; 8-6(a) in the
599second sentence and 8-6(d) as follows:-
600 (a) The first sentence of SECTION 8-1(a) is amended by- striking the word “statutes” and
601inserting in place thereof the words “general laws” following the word “by.”
602 (b) The second sentence of SECTION 8-1(b) is amended by striking the word “which”
603and inserting in place thereof the word “that” following the word “charter.”
604 (c) The second sentence of SECTION 8-5 is amended by striking the word “Counsel” and
605inserting in place thereof the word “solicitor” following the word “city.”
606 (d) The second sentence of SECTION 8-6(a) is amended by striking the word
607“Chairman” and replacing it with the word “chairperson”; by inserting the words “or by
608electronic mail to” following the words “residence of”; by striking the word “and” following the
609words “each member”; by striking the word “and” following the word “member” ; by striking
610the words “a list of” following the word “contains” and inserting the words “or list of” following
611the word “or”; and by inserting in the last sentence the words “and city website” following the
612word “board.”
613 (e) SECTION 8-6(d) is amended by striking the words “, but a smaller number may meet
614and adjourn from time to time” following the words “a quorum”.
615 SECTION 63. The charter is further amended in Section 8-7 as follows: - by striking in
616the heading the words “and gender”’; and by replacing the semicolon following the word
617“singular” with a period, and eliminating the remaining words in the provision after the period. 31 of 36
618 SECTION 64. The charter is further amended in Section 8-8 as follows:- by striking the
619word “secular” and inserting in place thereof “calendar” following the words “refer to”.
620 SECTION 65. The charter is further amended in the first sentence of SECTION 8-12 as
621follows:- by inserting the words “and on the city website” following the word “board”.
622 SECTION 66. The charter is further amended in SECTION 8-13 by amending the first
623sentence and inserting a new sentence following the first sentence as follows:-
624 (a) The first sentence is amended by striking the word “may,” and inserting in place
625thereof the word “shall”; by striking the word “number” following the word “their” and inserting
626in place thereof the word “members”; by striking the remaining words in the sentence following
627the word “members” and inserting in place thereof the words “notify the appointing authority.”
628 (b) A new sentence is inserted after the first sentence as follows:- “Such notice to the
629appointing authority shall include the notice from the chair of the multiple-member body to the
630person meeting the criteria above given in hand, or mailed, postage prepaid, by registered or
631certified mail, return receipt requested, of the body’s intent to notify the appointing authority of
632the incidence of absence at least 10 days before providing notice to the appointing authority, and
633the response, if any, received from the person so notified. Only the appointing authority may
634determine if the seat is to be declared vacant.”
635 SECTION 67. The charter is further amended by striking SECTION 8-14 as now
636appearing in its entirety and renumbering the current SECTION 8-15 to SECTION 8-14.
637 SECTION 68. The charter is further amended in SECTION 8-14 as follows:- 32 of 36
638 (a) In the first sentence by striking out the words “Any employee of the City, not a City
639officer or a department head (hereafter "such person")” and inserting in place thereof the
640following:- “Any City officer, member of a multiple-member body, department head or
641employee of the City,”; by inserting the words “SECTION 3-4” following the words “provisions
642of”, and by striking the words “for good cause”. The second, third, and fourth sentences as now
643appearing are stricken, and replaced with the following:- “Any such person may be suspended
644from office by the appointing authority for an initial period of 15 days, subject to an additional
64515-dayextension if deemed necessary by the appointing authority.”
646 (b)Subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c) as now appearing are stricken in their entirety and
647replaced by the following:-
648 “(a) City Council Appointments - The City Council, may, in writing, suspend and/or
649remove any person appointed or elected by the City Council by notice to the employee stating
650the reason for the suspension and/or removal and advising the employee of the opportunity to
651request to appear at a meeting of the Council. This notice to said employee shall be delivered in
652hand, mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address of said employee, or
653emailed to said employee. At the same time, the City Council shall file a written statement with
654the Department of Human Resources, stating that such person is suspended and/or removed and
655the effective date of said suspension or removal.
656 The employee may make a written reply by filing such reply statement with the
657Department of Human Resources and the city council president within 5 days following the date
658the statement of the city council has been filed. In the reply, the employee may request
659permission to appear at a public meeting of the city council to read the written reply concerning 33 of 36
660suspension and/or removal. Such meeting must occur within 10 days of the employee’s request
661unless otherwise agreed by the city council president and the employee.
662 At the meeting, the employee shall be allowed to read their rebuttal statement or reply to
663the notice of suspension and/or removal. The city council President may read the notice of
664suspension and/or removal. The city council shall notify the employee of whether the decision
665has been upheld, rescinded, or modified no later than 10 days after the council meeting is
666adjourned. If such notification is not provided within such time, the decision to suspend and/or
667remove shall remain in effect. If no meeting is requested, the decision of the city council is final
6686 days after delivery of the notice to the employee.”
669 “(b) Any employee of the city, not subject to provisions (a) above, may be suspended
670and/or removed by the appointing authority in accordance with the following procedure. The
671appointing authority shall receive approval from the mayor before proceeding with any such
672suspension and/or removal. Upon receiving such approval, the appointing authority shall
673provide notice of the suspension and/or removal to said employee by stating the reason for the
674suspension and/or removal, and advising the employee of the opportunity to request a meeting
675with the mayor. This notice to said employee shall be delivered in hand, mailed by certified
676mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address of said employee, or emailed to said employee.
677At the same time, the appointing authority shall file a written statement with the Department of
678Human Resources stating that such employee is suspended and/or removed and the effective date
679of said suspension and/or removal.
680 Within two days of delivery of the notice of suspension and/or removal, the employee
681may request in writing a meeting with the mayor. Such meeting must be held within 5 days of 34 of 36
682receipt the employee’s request, unless otherwise agreed by the mayor and the employee. At the
683meeting, the employee shall be allowed to reply verbally and/or in writing to the notice of
684suspension and/or removal. The appointing authority and the Director of Human Resources may
685be present at the meeting at the discretion of the mayor. Upon the direction of the mayor, the
686appointing authority shall issue a final decision upholding, rescinding, or modifying the
687suspension and/or removal no later than 5 days after the meeting. If such notification is not
688provided within such time, the decision to suspend or remove shall remain in effect. If no
689meeting is requested by the employee within two days of delivery of the notice or suspension
690and/or removal, the decision of the appointing authority is final.”
691 SECTION 69. SECTION 9-4 is amended by striking the words “his or her” and inserting
692thereof the word “their”.
693 SECTION 70. The charter is further amended by striking Section 9-6 as now appearing in
694its entirety; SECTION 9-7 as now appearing is renumbered as SECTION 9-6.
695 SECTION 71. The charter is further amended in SECTION 9-6(d) -Disposition of
696Certain Special Laws - by the addition of the following special acts:- St. 1936, Chapter 142 “An
697Act Placing Under the Civil Service Laws the Office of the Chief of Police of the City of
698Beverly”; and St. 1938, Chapter 203 “An Act Authorizing the Placing of the Office of Chief of
699the Fire Department of the City of Beverly Under the Civil Service Laws”.
700 SECTION 72. SECTIONS 6, 23, 31, and 32 of chapter X of the acts of 2023 act and
701those sections of the act dependent upon passage of the above referenced sections will take effect
702upon voter approval of the ballot questions appearing below, but not otherwise. All other 35 of 36
703SECTIONS of this act will take effect upon enactment by the General Court and approval of the
704Governor.
705 SECTION 73. SECTIONS 6, 23, 31, and 32 of chapter X of the acts of 2023 shall be
706subject to voter ratification at the regular municipal election to be held on November 7, 2023
707prior to taking effect. The following questions will appear on the ballot:-
708 Should Sections 6 and 32 of chapter X of the acts of 2023 that would amend the
709charter to allow a ward councilor, ward school committee member and district school committee
710member who moves within the city during the first 18 months of their term of office to complete
711the term to which elected be approved?
712 YES__ NO__
713 Should Section 23 of chapter X of the acts of 2023 that would revise the charter to
714increase the term of office of the mayor to 4 years be approved?
715 YES__ NO__
716 Should Section 31 of chapter X the acts of 2023 that would revise the charter to
717increase the membership of the school committee by the addition of 2 new district members, one
718district to include Wards 1, 2, and 3 and one district to include Wards 4, 5, and 6 be approved?
719 YES__ NO__
720 SECTION 74. Should SECTIONS 23 and/or 31 of chapter X of the acts of 2023 be
721approved by the voters, the first regular municipal election following such ratification
722(November 4, 2025) shall include the election of a mayor for a 4 year term and/or the election of 36 of 36
7232 district school committee members for a 2 year term. SECTION 6 and 32 shall take effect
724upon voter ratification.