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Council advances charter questions after hours of debate over vacancy rules
Summary
After extensive discussion, the council approved ballot language to clarify vacancy succession and to ask voters whether replacements should serve until the next scheduled general election or for the remainder of a term. The solicitor supplied draft wording and the council amended language to preserve staggered terms; several councilors urged more public review.
The council spent a large portion of its meeting reviewing draft charter amendments and ballot language that would change how vacancies on the town council (and the school committee) are filled. The solicitor presented draft text that would give the first, second and third runner-up from the preceding election the right to assume a vacancy; if none accept, the council would by majority vote appoint a replacement within a specified timeframe.
Members debated whether the replacement should ‘‘serve the remainder of the vacant office’s term’’ or instead ‘‘serve until the next scheduled general election’’ (a change proposed to give voters a chance to confirm appointees). Solicitor Conley explained why a specific timeframe can provide certainty: “30 days is is a suggested time where it can get you through at least a couple of meetings,” he said, while noting the council could choose different language.
Councilors split on whether the questions were being rushed onto the ballot. Some urged delaying further public review or referring the matter back to a charter-revision commission; others said the proposed changes simply clarify ambiguous language and should be placed before voters. The clerk read final poll tallies in recorded votes; the council approved questions to move forward for placement on the November ballot with amended language intended to preserve staggered terms and to clarify how the ballot question will be read.
