Somerville council advances home rule charter, approves ballot question on 4-year mayoral term

The Somerville City Council on Oct. 26 amended the council's home rule petition to require a higher threshold for rejecting the city solicitor's reappointment, rejected a separate administration proposal to make the solicitor's term three years, and voted to place a separate ballot question on a four-year mayoral term on the municipal ballot in 2025.

The amendment the council approved reads in part: "Provided, however, that a reappointment shall not be rejected except by negative vote of 8 members of the city council." Councilor Davis moved the amendment and the council approved it 10-1, with Councilor Scott the sole no vote.

The change alters the reappointment process the petition would send to the state legislature as Somerville seeks approval of a new city charter. Councilors who supported the amendment said it strengthens legislative oversight of the city solicitor without granting unilateral removal authority, while opponents said the higher threshold is an unnecessary concession.

Councilor McLaughlin, who said she had discussed the change with the mayor's office, described the provision as a necessary accountability measure: "This is not about firing the solicitor to me. This is about us being able to go to our solicitor for information and trust…