HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4316        FILED ON: 7/1/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3939

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marjorie C. Decker

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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 authorizing the city of Cambridge to include a ballot question on the November 2, 2021 municipal ballot relative to the home rule charter.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4316        FILED ON: 7/1/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3939

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act authorizing the city of Cambridge to include a ballot question on the November 2, 2021 municipal ballot relative to the home rule charter.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The Charter of the City of Cambridge is hereby amended by special act to add the following to the City’s existing Plan E Charter at General Laws Chapter 43, which was adopted pursuant to its acceptance of the provisions of General Laws Chapter 43, Sections 93-116, Section 105 on Appointments:

The City Manager shall refer to the City Council and simultaneously file with the Clerk the name of each person the City Manager desires to appoint or reappoint as a member of a board or commission. Appointment of a member of a board or commission made by the City Manager will be effective upon a majority vote of the city council, which vote shall occur within 30 days  after the date on which notice of the proposed appointment was filed with the City Clerk. The appointment may be approved or rejected by a majority of the full City Council before 30 days.

SECTION 2. The Charter of the City of Cambridge is hereby amended by a special act adding a new Subsection 116 (a) to the City’s existing Plan E Charter, which was adopted pursuant to its acceptance of the provisions of General Laws Chapter 43, Sections 93-116 on City Manager Review:

Annually the City Council shall prepare and deliver to the City Manager a written review of the City Manager's performance in a manner provided by ordinance.

SECTION 3. The Charter of the City of Cambridge is hereby amended by a special act by a special act by adding the following new Subsection 116 (b) to the City’s existing Plan E Charter, which was adopted pursuant to its acceptance of the provisions of General Laws Chapter 43, Sections 93-116 on Charter Review:

Not later than July 1, in each year ending in a 2, the City Council shall provide for a review to be made of the city charter by a special committee to be established by ordinance. All members of the special committee shall be voters of the city not holding elective office. The special committee shall file a report with the City Council within 1 year of its appointment recommending any changes to the city charter which it deems necessary or desirable, unless an extension is authorized by vote of the City Council. Action on any proposed charter changes shall be as authorized by the Massachusetts constitution or general laws.

SECTION 4. This act shall be submitted to the voters of the City of Cambridge at the upcoming municipal elections on November 2, 2021 in the form of the following questions which shall be placed upon the official ballot to be used at said election. If the changes are approved by a majority of valid ballots voting yes, they would go into effect as of January 1, 2022.

Should amendments to the City’s Plan E Charter, Section 105 of Chapter 43, be made, by special act providing for the City Council to confirm appointments of the City Manager to the City’s boards and commissions which confirmation is not currently required?              YES___ NO ___

Should amendments to the City’s Plan E Charter be made by special act providing for the City Council to establish a process for an annual review of the City Manager’s performance?  YES___ NO___

Should amendments to the City’s Plan E Charter be made by special act providing for the City Council to establish a process for review every 10 years to be made of the City’s Plan E Charter by an appointed committee of voters per City Council Ordinance?  YES___ NO___

Below said question shall appear a brief summary of the act prepared by the city solicitor.

If the voters at the municipal election approve the question. then this act shall be applicable to the city as of January 1, 2022, but not otherwise.

SECTION 5. This act shall be effective upon its passage.