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Waterville council tables proposal to extend mayoral term limits after heated debate
Summary
Council discussed a resolution to put a November 2026 charter amendment on the ballot to change the mayoral limit from two terms to three terms. Several members raised process and optics concerns; the mayor withdrew the motion and asked the council to table the measure for further review at a July meeting.
A resolution to place a charter amendment on the November 2026 ballot that would allow the mayor to serve three terms instead of two was introduced and met with sustained council debate before being tabled.
Municipal Administrator John explained that Resolution 2326 would authorize placing the proposed amendment before voters to align the mayor's term limit with the three-term limit already permitted for council members. "Council has to put it on the ballot by passing a resolution," John said, noting a charter review committee can recommend changes but council action is required to put a measure before voters.
Several council members objected to the timing and process. Wayne Wagner said he was uncomfortable with how the item surfaced and with the optics, telling colleagues he "just don't like the looks of this" and warning that it could be perceived as benefiting the incumbent. Rod Fry and others recounted the 2012 and 2017 charter review history and said the change had not emerged from the most recent review process.
Supporters framed the measure as an effort to make the charter consistent. One proponent said aligning mayor and council term limits was intended to provide consistency, while opponents said any change should come through the charter review committee and be openly vetted before going to voters.
Council ultimately did not take a final vote. The mayor withdrew a motion to pass the resolution and asked that the item be tabled; the measure was placed on hold for further discussion at a July council meeting. The council did not set a final effective date for any amendment; members discussed options including a later start date to avoid immediate benefit to current officeholders.
What happens next: Council will revisit the proposed amendment at a July meeting; if council chooses to place the question on the ballot it would appear to voters in the November 2026 general election.
