Saugus
Charter Petitions
If
you are interested in signing the Saugus Charter Petition or obtaining a
charter petition please e-mail sauguscharter@comcast.net
Please
copy and paste this in the subject line of your e-mail:
*Saugus
Charter Request*
If
you want a petition mailed to you please include your name and address.
If
you want to sign a petition please send your phone number.
If
you want to print your own petition from this website you will need:
1.)
8 ½” x 14” paper (legal size) for your printer.
2.)
Change the paper size setting on your printer’s properties from 8 1/2”
x 11” to 8 ½” x 14”.
3.)
Insert one sheet into the printer and print page one by clicking
here.
4.)
Upon printing page one turn the sheet over and insert it back into your
printer so that page 2 prints on the backside. (This may vary according to your
style of printer.) Then click here to print
page 2.
Q:
What am I signing?
A: You are signing a petition that will place a question on the ballot this coming November that would allow a process that could lead to a new town charter.
Q: What is a Charter?
A: A Charter is like the constitution for a local government. It describes the governmental structure including the executive and legislative braches. It specified the offices to be held or appointed and the terms of those officers. It describes the powers of government as well as the limitations of government.
Q: Don't we have a charter now?
A: We have a special act charter that was created by the legislature in 1947.
Q: How would a new charter be different?
A: It would be a Home Rule Charter, developed in accord with Article 89 of the Massachusetts Constitution which was adopted in 1966. Such a Charter allows for more local flexibility in developing and amending a governmental structure that best suits a community.
Q: Does this mean we will become a city?
A: No. You signature simply means that a process of study can commence. While a recommendation for a city form of government could result from such a study, the vote of the people would be necessary to do so.
Q: Are we the only community in Massachusetts doing this?
A: No, currently the Town of Plymouth is engaged in this process. Last year Winthrop did it. Several examples of other communities having done this are Amesbury, Weymouth, North Andover, Easthampton and Palmer. There are many others as well.
Q: Who would do this study?
A: A Charter Commission consisting of 9 members.
Q: Where does the Charter Commission come from?
A: Any Saugus registered voter could obtain 50 signatures to have his/her name placed on the November ballot. The top nine (9) vote getters would become the Saugus Charter Commission.
Q: What would they do?
A: They would study the form of government we have now, hold public hearings, and develop a proposal for a new form of government that reflects the concerns of the community and would be consistent with Massachusetts law and the Massachusetts Constitution.
Q: How long would all of this take after the November election.
A: Anywhere from ten (10) to eighteen (18) months.
Q: Does this mean Saugus would get more money?
A: No. However, a new form of government could be developed in which greater controls and accountability provisions would be required for the money now available to the town.
Q: If I sign this, will it cost the town any money for a special election?
A: No. We are having an election this November anyway. The question to establish a commission as well as the list of candidates for Charter Commission would appear on the same ballot.
Q: How many signatures do you need?
A: 15% of the registered voters (at the last state election). This would be about 2600 signatures but we want to collect between 3500 and 4000 to be sure.
Q: How do I know if I can sign this?
A: If you are a Saugus resident and if you are a registered voter you can sign.
For more information
please look at
http://news.saugus.net/Group/saugus.soc.politics/181