Citizens for Better Government
From MethuenWiki
We are Positive about Methuen, Massachusetts!
If you would like to help make Methuen a better place to live, Read on and join with us.
Let's Celebrate the term limit victory and
discuss the organizations future
Meeting Schedule
Our next meeting is scheduled for November 16,2011 at 7:00 P.M.
All meetings are at the VFW on River St Methuen.
What is Happenning with Charter Commission?
Majority Report
Minority Report
Charter Defined
MGL - Chapter 4, Section 7
Charter, when used in connection with the operation of city and town government shall include a written instrument adopted, amended or revised pursuant to the provisions of chapter forty-three B which establishes and defines the structure of city and town government for a particular community and which may create local offices, and distribute powers, duties and responsibilities among local offices and which may establish and define certain procedures to be followed by the city or town government.
Special laws enacted by the general court applicable only to one city or town shall be deemed to have the force of a charter and may be amended, repealed and revised in accordance with the provisions of chapter forty-three B unless any such special law contains a specific prohibition against such action.
The Constitution of the United States of America- Preamble
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Charter of the City of Methuen- Paraphrased-non existent Preamble
We the people of the City of Methuen, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Charter of the City of Methuen.
Methuen Charter
The Charter History for Methuen Massachusetts is at Methuen Charter History.
This should be current Methuen Home Rule Charter
This link to City of Methuen, via Solicitor page, appears to be up to date.
Methuen Municipal Code
Home Rule Charter
Methuen Charter proposal 1977 This is a Microsoft Word document. Click Open when the window appears to view.
The Charter has been studied periodically by the City Council of Methuen in the last 5 years.
Some notes on requested changes have been presented. A Charter Study Commission could begin their review with these notes.
Councilor (Mayor) Manzi on Charter Review
M.G.L. Chapter 43B. Home Rule Procedures
Charter Thoughts
The City of Sikeston, Missouri rewrote their Charter in 2001.
Please read this with an open mind and consider if any of the topics could be considered as "Best Practice".
I recommend that comments be left on the discussion page. Happy reading.
Sometimes it is difficult to envision what the process of a petition drives entails.
Here is a link to a flowchart on how to amend the State Constitution.
Our process is very similar.
Inspiration can come from all sorts of places.
Here is a link to a petition in King County, State of Washington. Read and think about Easy Citizen Participation in our city.
USAID Handbook on Legislative Strengthening
Proportional Representation
During some meetings, the topic of Proportional Representation has been mentioned. As this is a new term to some, Here are a few links on the subject.
New Rules Project
The Case for Proportional Representation
Local Party.org website
Vote 3rd Party Now.org website
Third Party?
Instant Runoff Election/Voting Information
Voter Choice Massachusetts
Fair Vote Blog
Fair Vote.org
About proportional Voting/Plan E
Proportional Voting-Cambridge,Mass.
proportional Voting in California
Other Group websites
Links worth reading:(there is no implied endorsements of any views on these websites)
National Civic League
Massachusetts local government at Wikipedia
National Freedom of Information Coalition
Citizens for a Better America
Citizens for a Better Bridgewater
Engaging Citizens
ECO-Charter in Virginia
Community Environmental Legal defense Fund
Better Government Association
Shamie Center for Better Government
Better Government Project
Citizens for Better Government, Gainesville, Florida
Public Service Modernisation Division of the Department of the Taoiseach(Irish Public service)
Charter Review sites
Read these links about Charter Review and study:
County Government Charter change
Model City Charter update meeting
National Civic League
City of Memphis Charter feedback
Read Section 7-1 Charter - Amendments - Revision
Hooksett, New Hampshire Charter Review
SanDiego Charter Review-How does it affect me?
Portland Oregon Charter Review
Municipalities – How They Change
Cranford keeps township after study
Massachusetts Charter Study Communities
Are Other Massachusetts Communities doing this? Yes. Check these links;
Andover Charter (PHP)
City of Haverhill Charter
Lawrence discussion;Mayor or Manager? Lawrence discussion Meeting
Saugus looks for Best Practices
Wellfleet,Massachusetts Charter Review
Plymouth Charter Review Summary
Barnstable Charter Review feedback
Sharon Charter Commission
Amherst Charter Study
North Attleboro 2000 Report
North Andover and web access by law
North Andover Charter
North Andover Appointed Charter Study Group Tribune story- Charter study
Athol Charter Review Committee
Somerville Charter Advisory Committee
Melrose Charter Committee 2005
Wakefield Charter Review Committee
Barnstable Charter Commission
Easton Government Study Commisssion Report
Massachusetts Municipal Association
Local Government in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Municipal Management Association
Other Links
Here is a link from Washington State that shows the results of a Charter Study Commission applied to the ballot.
Note that each recommendation must have a Pro & Con perspective written for the voters to allow for parity.
Clallam Ballot
Further study:charter
Further Study on Charters ( Google Books )
Municipal Charters search
Open Meeting Law
From Common Cause and Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government
Recent news from Attorney General and General Court.
Essex County District Attorney office:
Term Limits
Interesting reading on Term Limits Oregon Basics of TERM LIMITS
see arguments for pro and con of Term limits
Presidents have been term limited since 1951
Municipal Measurement
The Urban Institute
Public Performance Measurement Reporting Network-Rutgers
Balanced Scorecard Institute
Sloan Institute Performance reporting for Government see Citizen Groups
"Atlanta measures its municipal performance"-Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
InfraGuide Best Practice Reports (Canadian)
Regionalism
Open Government Data
Transparency
Transparency in Government —How American Citizens Influence Public Policy
Remember warrants at Town Meetings?
Citizens Against Government Waste
Published Articles
Read about us in the Valley Patriot
Read this article and comments in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune
Valley Patriot page 30 has Citizens for a Better Government by Kathleen Corey Rahme
Valley Patriot in TOM DUGGAN"S NOTEBOOK discusses Methuen Ballot Questions
Here is an Eagle-Tribune article Ballot Question petition withdrawn
Ballot Question Information
We are gathering signatures to request a ballot question for the 2009 Municipal Election.
The Ballot question will ask for the creation of a Charter Study Commission for Methuen.
Ballot Question Committee Information in Massachusetts
Charter Commission Members- Nomination
Why aren't we using an on-line petition?
Gathering signatures at the Polls on this historic election day.
Gathering signatures at Ciy Hall.
Gathering signatures at Walmart #3491.
We are reinstituting a non-binding ballot question. See Group Petition .
Local Notes
Methuen Democratic Town Committee
Name of Chair: Eleni Varitimos Phone: 978-687-4533
Sister Cities International
Check out the Most viewed pages and statistics
Citizen generated Charter questions
The following link will bring you to the current list of Charter Questions .These are for discussion purposes.
We have withdrawn our non-binding petition due to a legal misinterprtation.
This will allow us to concentrate on the larger goal of working with our neighbors to create a Charter Study Commission in 2009.
Campaigns wikia
Addenda
Constitution of Massachusetts, Article II. Section 3. If the city or town has previously adopted a charter pursuant to this section, the question submitted to the voters shall be: Question 1: "Shall a commission be elected to revise the charter of City of Methuen?"
Note: The names of candidates for such commission shall be listed alphabetically on the ballot used at such election. MGL 43B,s6.
Charter Commission draws more than 30 candidates
Results
Endorsement and Full Candidate List
Methuen Life October endorsement
View Public Hearing,December 10th
Methuen Life Charter Commission’s goal:Better government for all
See Methuen City Website for Meeting Agenda's and Minutes.
Meetings are telecast live on City channel..
Meetings are recorded and rebroadcast on local cable station MCTV22/Verizon33.
Check station listing for actual broadcast schedule.
Notes from Marilyn Contreas: she is the Senior Program and Policy Analyst at Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
