Stow City charter reviewers clarify acting-mayor language, expand public-notice options and release legal memo on prayer

The Stow City Charter Review Commission on April 1 reviewed a package of proposed charter edits and voted to make public a legal memorandum on prayer at municipal meetings.

Drew, the city attorney, opened the substantive discussion by walking the commission through the proposed redrafts and legal research behind them. "Every member of the commission should have a stack of papers in front of them," Drew said as he summarized the items. He told commissioners the office had researched special-election timing, vacancy rules and state law that bear on several charter provisions.

The commission spent the meeting focused on language clarifications and process issues rather than new policy proposals. Key items reviewed included clarifying the acting-mayor succession clause, updating the public-notice requirement to permit website posting and “any other social media platform utilized by the city for notice purposes,” and additional language to limit physical posting to “not less than 3 public places in the municipality.” Drew said the change is intended to broaden notice tools while preserving physical posting for residents without internet access.

The commission also discussed the charter’s vacancy and appointment provisions. Members reviewed the current process, under which council fills a vacant seat by majority vote and the mayor…