Council recommends charter amendment to set council induction dates, votes to place amendment on Nov. 4 ballot

The Cumberland Town Council on Sept. 22 voted to recommend an amendment to Article II, Section 5 of the town charter to standardize induction dates for newly elected council members and to place that proposed amendment on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.

Councilors described the change as a housekeeping measure to provide a consistent start and end date for council terms and to allow for a more orderly onboarding process for new members. A councilor summarized the rationale as giving “a start date and a stop date” so incumbents and incoming members know when terms begin and end.

Councilors discussed procedural steps: the council’s role is to recommend the charter amendment; the amendment must then be approved by voters. One councilor asked for the record to reflect that 25‑098 (the recommendation) would be transmitted to the town clerk and that 25‑099 was the companion motion to put the question on the ballot. The town clerk and staff confirmed the timing met statutory notice requirements and that printed materials would be prepared to meet election deadlines.

A motion to recommend the amendment passed unanimously; a separate motion to place the proposed amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot also passed unanimously.

Because charter changes require voter approval, the council’s actions were a recommendation and placement on the ballot rather than a final amendment of the charter.