proposed northampton charter as amended march 1, 2012

8/2/2019 Proposed Northampton Charter As Amended March 1, 2012

1/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012. - --------- . -- - - - - - - - - - ----------- ---- ---------------- ------- . .---------------------------------- -- ------ ~

. .AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON

r ; t & d - b . y - t n - - S & n a . t e - a n . d - l d o u s e - o L R e p r : . e s . e n . t a _ t L v . . e s _ _ i f l E e n _ e r . a L C . o _ U L ~ - -assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

ISECTION 1.Northampton.

The following shalL be the charter for the city of

ARTICLE 1INCORPORATION; SHORT TITLE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1-1: INCORPORATIONi The inhabitants of the city of Northampton, within the territorial limits

established by law, shall continue to be a municipal corporation, a bodycorporate and politic, under the name "City of Northampton".SECTION 1-2: SHORT TITLEThis instrument shall be known and may be cited as the city of NorthamptonSpecial Act Charter.SECTION 1-3: DIVISION OF POWERSThe administration ofthe fiscal, prudential and municipal affairs ofNorthampton, with the government thereof, shall be vested in an executivebranch headed by a mayor and a legislative branch consisting of a citycouncil. The legislative branch shall never exercise any executive power, andthe executive branch shall never exercise any legislative power.SECTION 1-4: POWERS OF THE CITYSubject only to express limitations on the exercise of any power or functionby a municipal government in the constitution or general laws, it is theintention and t!ie purpose of the voters of Northampton through theadoption of this charter to secure for themselves and their government all ofthe powers-it is possible to secure-as-fully and as completely as-though eachsuch power were specifically_and individually enumerated herein.

1


2/47

As Amended in. City Council March 1, 2012

SECTION 15: C()NSTRUCTIONThe powers of the city of Northampton under this charter are to beconstrued liberally in favor of the city, and the specific mention of any

I Iparticular power is not intended to limit the general powers of the city asstated in section 1-4.SECTION 1-6: INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSSubject only to express !limitations in the constitution or general laws,Northampton may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions,and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, bycontract or otherwise, with the commonwealth or any of its agencies orpolitical subdivisions, or with the United States government or any of itsagencies .

. SECTION 1-7: DEFINITIONSUnless another meaning is clearly apparent from the manner in which theword or phrase is used, the following words and phrases as used in thischarter shall have the following meanings:(1) 11Charter", this charter and any adopted amendments to it.(2) 11 City", the city of Northampton.(3) "City agency", any multiple member body, any department, division, oroffice of the city of Northampton.(4) "City office or department head", a person having charge of a citydepartment.(5) "Emergency", a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set ofcircumstances demanding immediate action.(6) "Full city council", "full school committee" "full multiple member body",the entire authorized membership of the city council, school committee orother multiple member body notwithstanding any vacancy which might exist.(7) "general laws", laws enacted which apply alike to all cities and towns, to

2


3/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012

_ _ _aiL cities, octo a class of. 2 or mor3 cities, q r _ t o _ a c l ( l s s _ o f c i t i e ~ _ c:lD_d ~ o w n s _of______which Northampton is a member.(8) "General Laws", the General Laws of the Commonwealth of

I IMassachusetts, a codification and revision of statutes enacted on December22, 1920, and including all amendments thereto subsequently adopted.(9) "Initiative. measure", a measure proposed by the voters through theinitiative process provided under this charter

. (10) "Local newspaper", a newspaper of general circulation withinNorthampton, with either a weekly or daily circulation.(11) "Majority vote", when used in connection with a meeting of a multiplemember body, shall mean a majority of those present and voting, unlessanother provision \s made by ordinance or by such body's own rules,' iprovided howeverthat General Law provisions related to any vote to meet in"executive session" shall always require a majority of members of the body.(12) "Measure", any ordinance, order, or other vote or proceeding adopted,or which might be adopted, by the city council or the school committee.(13) "Multiple member body", any council, commission, committee, sub-committee or other body consisting of 2 or more persons whether elected,appointed or otherwise constituted, but not including the city council, theschool committee or an advisory committee appointed by the mayor.(14) "Organization or reorganization plan", a plan submitted by the mayor tothe city council which proposes a change in the organization or theadministrative structure of the city administration or organization, or achange inthe way in which a municipal service or services are delivered.c1s) "Quorum", a majority of all M @ ~ l n ~ i members of a multiple ITlember bodyunless some other number is required by law or by ordinance.(16) "Referendum measure", a measure adopted by the city council or theschool committee that is protested under the referendum procedures of thischarter.

3


4/47


- - - - - - ( l 7 ) _ " V o t e r s " , . r e g i s t e r e d _ v o t e r s o f t h g _ c j t y ~ q f i ' J o r t _ h a l ' l l _ P t 9 ~ ____ _(18) "Year", unless otherwise specified, shall mean a calendar year.

ARTICLE 2LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

SECTION 2-1: COMPOSITION; TERM OF OFFICE; ELIGIBILIT(a) Composition - There shall be a city council consisting of 9 memberswhich shall exercise the legislative powers of the city. Two of thesemembers, to be k ~ o w n as councilors-at-large, shall be nomihated andelected by and from the voters at large. Seven of these .members, to beknown as ward councilors, shall be nominated and elected by and from thevoters from each ward; 1 such ward councilor to be elected from each of the7 wards intoi which the city is divided under section 7-7. i! j(b) Term of Office -The term of office for councilors shall be 2 years each,beginning on the first Monday in the January sucGeeding their election,except when said first Monday falls on a legal holiday, in which event theterm shall begin on the following day, and until their successors have beenqualified.(c) Eligibility- Any voter shall be eligible to hold the office of councilor-atlarge. A ward councilor must be a voter in the ward from which election issought. I f a ward councilor or a councilor-at-large removes from the cityduring the term for which elected, such office shall immediately be deemedvacant and filled in the manner provided in section 2-11. A ward councilorwho removes from the ward from which elected and who remains a residentof the city may continue to serve during the term for which elected.SECTION 2-2: PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT, ELECTION; TERM;POWERS(a) Election and Term - As soon as practicable after the councilors-elect havebeen qualified following each regular city election, as provided in section 10-11, the members of the city council shall elect from among its members a

4

- -----.


5/47


- -- - presidentahd_vie_e-presidentwho shall s ~ o . t t = J o r _ 2 . yar t e r l 1 1 ~ _ } _ ~ ~ I T l _ ~ t ~ o d of election of the president and vice-president shall be prescribed within therules of the city council.(b/ Powers and Duties - The president shall.prepare the agenda for citycouncil meetings in consultation with the mayor and the city cler ..T epresident shall preside at all meetings of the city council, regulate itsprdceedings and shall decide all questions of artier. The president shallappoint all members of all committees of the city council, whether special orstanding. The president shall have the same powers to vote upon allmeasures coming before the city council as any other member of the citycouncil. The president shall perform any other duties consistent with theoffite that may be provided by charter, by ordinance or by other vote of thei !city council. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president.SECTION 2-3: PROHIBITIONS(a) Holding Other City Position - No member of the city council shall holdany other compensated city position. No former member of the city councilshall hold any compensated appointed city position until 1 year following thedate on which the former member's service on the city council hasterminated. This provision shall not prevent a city employee who vacated aposition in order to serve as a member of the city council from returning tothe same position upon the expiration of the term for which he was elected.(b) Interference with Administration - No city council. or any member of thecity council shall give orders or directions to any employee of the cityappointed by the mayor, either publicly or privately.SECTION 2-4: COMPENSATIONThe members of the city council shall receive such salary for their servicesas may from time to time be set by ordinance. No ordinance increasingorreducing the salary of the members of the city council shall be effectiveunless it shall have been adopted by a 2/3 vote of the full city council. No

5


6/47

i

. As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012

.... ordinancelncreasihg_tb_e salaryof_c_ou_JJgij_o_r-s shall be effectiveunless i t shall. - ----- ----- ------------------------------ --- - --------------- --------- - - - - - - -have been adopted during the first 18 months of the term for which the city

council is elected and unless it provides that the salary increase is to takeIeffect upon the organization of the city government following the next

regular city election.SECTION 2-5: GENERAL POWERSExcept as otherwise provided by general law or by this charter, all powers ofthe city shall be vested in the city council which shall provide for theirexercise and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed upon. rthe city by law.SECTION 2-6: EXERCISE OF POWERS; QUORUM; RULES(a) Exercise of Powers - Except as o t h ~ r w i s e provided by general law or by!this charter, the legislative powers of the city council may be exercised in amanner determined by it.(b) Quorum -The presence of 5 members shall constitute a quorum for thetransaction of business. Except as otherwise provided by general law or bythis charter, the affirmative vote, taken by roll call vote, of 6 members shallbe required to adopt an appropriation order. Except as otherwise providedby law or this charter, the affirmative vote, taken by roll call vote, of amajority of the full city council shall be required to adopt any ordinance.(c) Rules of Procedure- The city council shall from time to time adopt rulesregulating its procedures, which shall be in addition to the following:(i ) Regular meetings of the city council shall be held at a time and placefixed by ordinance. All regular meetings of the city council shall provide for aperiod of public comment, provided however, the city council maypromulgate rules that regulate such period of public comment as deemedappropriate.(ii) Special meetings of the city council shall be held at the call of thepresident or at the call of any 3 or more members, for any purpose. Notice

6


7/47


__ , oLsaid meeting s h a J I , _ e ) ( ~ e Q t J I 1 ~ r 1 1 ~ r g e _ r i ~ Y _()_f _ \ , f l / h i ~ h the ~ r ~ ~ i d e n ~ ~ h a l l - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -the sole judge, be delivered to each m e m ~ e r at least 48 weekday hours ihadvance of the time set and shall specify the date, time, and location of the' 'meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is to be held. Acopy of each such notice shall immediately be posteaaslfle general l ..,a\i iw;-;=;s--relative to such postings shall require.(iii) All sessions of the city cou1ncil and of every committee or subcommitteeof the council shall at all times be open to the public unless anotherprovision is allowed by law.(iv) A full, accurate, up-to-date account of the proceedings of the city councilshall be maintained by the city clerk, which shall include a record of eachvote taken, and which shall bei made available with reasonable promptnessil ifollowing each meeting, but not later than the next regularly scheduledmeeting. Unless otherwise provided by law, the minutes of any executivesession shall be made available as soon as their publication would not defeatthe lawful purposes of the executive session.SECTION 2-7: ACCESS TO INFORMATION(a) In General- The city council may make investigations into the affairs ofthe city and into the conduct and performance of any city agency.(b) Information Requests- The city council may require any member of anappointed multiple-member body or any city employee. to appear before it togive any information that the city council may require in relation to themunicipal services, functions, powers, or duties w h i ~ h are within the scopeof responsibility of that person and not within.the jurisdiction of the schoolcommittee.(c) Mayor- The city council at any time may request from the mayor specificinformation on any municipal matter and may request the mayor to bepresent to answer written questions relating thereto at a meeting to be heldnot earlier than 7 days from the date of the receipt by the mayor of said

7


8/47


questions, T h e ~ _ m a y o r s h a i i pc=rsonally,_ o r t h r o u g _ ~ _ C } Q Y __d _ ~ s i g _ n C } t ~ ~ c_ity _ _employee, attend such meeting and respond to said questions. The mayor orthe person so designated to attend shall not be required to answer questions

'relating to any other matter.(d) Notice -The city council shall give a minimum of 7person it may require to appear before it under the provisions of thissection. The notice shall include specific questions on which the city councilseeks information, and no person called to appear before the city councilunder this section shall be required to respond to any questibn not relevantor related to t h o s ~ presented in advance and in writing.SECTION 2-8: APPOINTMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCILSubject to appropriation, the city council may employ such staff as! it deemsi inecessary.SECTION 2-9: ORDINANCES AND OTHER MEASURES

: ; " ' : : ' ' ' ~ ' ~ Y 7 - ~ " " ~ ' ? ; ~ r y ' ; ' T ' ; : : : ; ' . ~ ' . " ' : - " ; ' ' ? , : : t ~ : ~ : : ; : ; . > " : " ? ~ ' : " " " : : : \ T - : ~ : - - ; Y ' 7 ' : . o : ~ ' : : ~ : - ~ ? ' ' 7 " ' " t ' . ~ : . . : r ; T ~ ~ ~ ~ " 1 ~ 7 : - - ~ : ' \ ' ' ~ ~ . " : < _ : : , , > . " ~ - ; , ; : : ; ; < ~ :>:, . 2.;.i_,:: : < ~ : - . : ; ; - p _ , : ~ : > y , ~ : , _ ; ; ; ; \ : . : : : ; . ~ ' " ? ? ~ - p ~ ; - 1 (aJ Measures- ~ & i ~ m g _ q g @ [ g ~ ; , g b _ c f ! t ; ~ Q Q , ' P Q : ? , ~ , g : t : ; t ; f t c t c 1 H t r L Q i t ~ t t t Q ; t g t ; , ~ Q J 3 . ~ \ ~ ~ v : J 1 l t i j l ~ , t $ , J : o f i g ~ l Y : ~ 2 ~ 9 . : [ ~ : ; , ; ! 1 1 ] l l i ~ ~ g g Q ; Q t ; g @ } Q : @ I 2 r : g ~ f ] J ; 1 , % ; Except as_otherwiseprovided by the charter, every adopted measure shall become effective atthe expiration of 10 days after adoption or upon the signature of the mayor,whichever occurs fi rst. No ordinance shall be amended or repealed except byanother ordinance adopted in accordance with the charter, or as provided inthe initiative and- referendum procedures.(b) Emergency Measures- An emergency measure shall be introduced in theform and manner prescribed for measures generally except that it shall beplainly designated as an emergency measure and shall contain statementsafter the enacting clause declaring that an emergency exists and describingthe scope and nature of the emergency in clear and specific terms. Apreamble which declares and defines the emergency shall be separatelyvoted on and shall require the affirma-tive vote of 2/3 of the full city c o ~ n c i l . An emergency measure may be passed with or without amendment or

8


9/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012_-_-._-_-re_j_e-ct_e_d_a_t_t_h_ _m_-e-e-ti_n_g_a_t _W-. __~ - c j _ - - . - N - _ o -___l1_e_a_s_u-re_m_ _k_i_n_g_a_------

grant, renewal or extension, whatever its kind or nature, or a franchise or --- - -- -special privilege shall be passed as an emergency measure, and except as

' 'provided by the laws of the Commonwealth, no such grant, renewal orextension shall be made otherwise than by ordinance. An emergencymeasure shall become effective upon adoption or at such later time as itmay specify\(c) Charter Objection- On the first occasion that the question on adoption bf

a-- measure is put to the city council, if a single member p-resent objects tothe taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting ofthe city council whether regular or special. I f 2 members present shallobject, suchi postponement shall be until the next r e g u l a ~ meeting; if it is an

' . 'emergency measure at least 4 members must object. This procedure shall. not be used more than once for any specific matter notwithstanding any

amendment to the original matter. A charter objection shall have privilegeover all motions but must be raised prior to or at the call for a vote by thepresiding officer and all debate shall cease.SECTION 2-10: CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION OF CERTAINAPPOINTMENTSThe mayor shall refer to the city council and simultaneously file with the cityclerk, the name of each person the mayor desires to appoint as adepartment head or as a member of a multiple-member body, but notincluding any position which is subject to the civil service law. The citycouncil shall refer each name submitted to it to standing committee of thecouncil which shall review each candidate for appointment and shall make arecommendation to the full city council not less than _7 nor more than 45days after the referral. The committee may require any person whose namehas been referred to it to appear before the committee, or before the citycouncil, to give any information relevant to the appointment that the

9


10/47


__ co111mittee,or the city council, may require. Appointments made by the- - - - - - -------------------------------- ------- --------- ----------- ---------------mayor shall become effective on the forty-fifth day after the date on whichnotice of the proposed appointment was filed with the city clerk unless

I 'approved or rejected by the city council within the 45 days.SECTION 2-11: FILLING c>rvJrCAI'fCIES:-.---------- . . . , ---__:_--I f a vacancy in the office of councilor occurs prior to the eighteenth month ofthe term for which the councilor is elected, the city council shall forthwith, inthe manner provided in section 7-1, order a special eleCtion to be held within90 days following the date the vacancy is created, to fill such vacancy untilthe next regular city election. The person elected at such regular cityelection shall be sworn to office immediately. If a regular city election is tobe he11d within 120 days following the date the vacancy. is created, a special! !election need not be held and the office shall be filled by the voters at suchregular city election. Election to fill the vacant seat of a ward councilor shallbe held only in the affected ward, while an election to fill a vacant seat of acouncilor-at-large shall be held in all wards of the city.

ARTICLE 3EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 3-1: MAYOR: QUALIFICATIONS; TERM OF OFFICE;COMPENSATION; PROHIBITIONS(a) Mayor, Qualifications - The chief executive officer of the city shall be amayor, elected by and from the voters of the city at large. Any voter shall beeligible to hold the office of mayor. The mayor shall devote full time to theoffice and shall not hold any other elective public office.(b) Term of Office -The term of office of the mayor shall be 4 years,beginning on the first Monday in the January succeeding his or her election,except when said first Monday falls on a legal holiday, in which event theterm shall begin on the following day, and until the mayor's successor hasbeen qualified.

10


11/47


(c) Compensation ..-:Thecity_council ~ I J _ a i i , t > y o r Q _ i n a n c ~ , etabH!:)h an _a ~ ~ u a l .salary for the mayor. No ordinance increasing or reducing the salary of themayor shall be effective unless it shall have been adopted by a 2/3 vote of

Ithe full city council. No ordinance increasing the salary of the mayor shall beeffective unless it shall have been adopted during the first 18 mont:hs oftheterm for which the mayor is elected and unless it provides that the salary

! increase is to take effect upon the o r g a n i z a ~ i o n of the city government-following the next regular city election.

(cj) Prohibitions -The mayor shall hold no other compensated city position._No f o r m ~ r mayor shall hold any compensated appointed city office or cityemployment until one year following the date on which such former mayor's

i city service has terminated. This provision shall not prevent a city officer ori ! ..other city employee who has vaq1ted a position in order to serve as mayorfrom returning to the same office or other position of city employment heldat the time such position was vacated; provided, however, no such personshall be eligible fo r any other municipal position until at least one yearfollowing the termination of service as mayor. This prohibition shall notapply to persons covered under the leave of absence provisions of section 37of chapter 31 of the General Laws.SECTION 3-2: EXECUTIVE POWERS; ENFORCEMENT OF ORDINANCESThe executive powers of the city shall be vested solely in the mayor and maybe exercised by the mayor either personally or through the several cityagencies under the general supervision and control of the office of themayor. The mayor shall cause the charter, the laws, the ordinances andother orders for the government of the city to be enforced, and shall cause arecord of all official acts of the executive branch of the city government to bekept. The mayor shall exercise general supervision and direction over all cityagencies, unless otherwise provided by law or by this charter. Each cityagency shall furnish to the mayor, forthwith upon request, any information

11


12/47


_ or_materials asth_e mayor may request and as the needs of the office of. - - ---------.-- -- ---------------------------------------- -------------- -- - ---------- ------mayor and the interest of the city may require. The mayor shall supervise,direct and be responsible for the efficient administration of all city activities

I .and functions placed under the control of the mayor by law or by thischarter. The mayor shall be responsible for the efficient anaenectivecoordination of the activities .of all agencies of the city and for this purposeshall have authority consistent with law to call together for consultation,conference and discussion at reasonable times all persons serving the city,whether elected directly by the voters, chosen by persons elected directly bythe voters, or otherwise. The mayor shall be, by virtue of the office, amember of every appointed multiple member body of the city. The mayorshall have a right, as such ex officio member, to attend any meeting of any;appointed multiple member body of the city, at any time, including, so calledexecutive sessions, to participate in the discussions, to make motions and toexercise every other right of a regular member of such body, but notincluding the right to vote.SECTION 3-3: APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYORThe mayor shall appoint, subject to the review of such appointments by thecity council as provided in section 2-10, all city officers and departmentheads and the members of multiple-member bodies for whom no othermethod of appointment or selection is provided by the charter, exceptingonly persons serving under the school committee, and persons serving underthe city council. 'All appointments to multiple-member bodies shall be fo r

. terms established in accordance with the provisions of Article 6. Upon theexpiration of the term of any member of a multiple-member body, asuccessor shall be appointed as provided for in accordance with theprovisions of Article 6. The mayor shall fill any vacancy for the remainder ofthe unexpired term of any member of a multiple-member body. Allappointments and promotions made by the mayor shall be made on the

12


13/47


ba5is of meritand f i t n e s s _ d ~ m b n s t r a t e d by examination, past performance,------- -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - --- --------- - --------- ---- ----- - ---------or by other evidence of competence and suitability. Each person appointedto fill an office or position shall be a person especially fitted by education,

I Itraining and previous work experience to perform the duties of the office orposition for which the person is chosen.SECTION 3-4: TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS TO CITY OFFICESWhenever a vacancy, either temporary or permanent, occurs in a city officeand the needs of the city require that such office be filled, the mayor maydesignate the head of another city agency or a city officer or city employee,or some other person to perform the duties of the office on a temporarybasis until such time as the position can be filled as otherwise provided bylaw or by this charter. The mayor shall file a certificate in substantially theI . !' 'following form, with the city clerk, whenever a person is designated underthis section:I designate (name of person) to perform the duties of the office of(designate office in which vacancy exists) on a temporary basis until theoffice can be filled by (here set out the regular procedure for filling thevacancy, or when the regular officer shall return). I certify that said personis qualified to perform the duties which will be required and that I make thisdesignation solely in the interests of the city of Northampton.(signed)MayorPersons serving as temporary officers under the authority of this sectionshall have only those powers of the office indispensably essential to theperformance of the duties of the office during the period of such temporaryappointment and no others. Notwithstanding any general or special law tothe contrary, no temporary appointment shall be f6r more than 90 days,provided, however, not more than two 30 day extensions of a temporaryappointment may be made when a permanent vacancy exists in the office.

13

- -- -


14/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SECTION 3_-=t: C _ 0 ( \ 1 6 f \ 1 1 U i ' 1 I C A 1 J ( ) f \ j ~ ; SPEC:IAL avif:_E_TINGS ___ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ (a) Communications to the City Council- The mayor shall, from time totime, by written communications, recommend to the city council for its

' 'consideration such measures as, in the judgment of the mayor, the needs ofthe city require. The mayor shall, from time to time, by writ encommunication, keep the city council fully informed of the financial andadministrative condit.ion of the city and shall specifically indicate in any suchreports any fiscal, financial or administrative issues facing the city.(b) Special Meetings of the City Council- The mayor may at any time call aspecial meeting of the city council, for any purpose. Notice of said meetingshall, except in an emergency of which the mayor shall be the sole judge, be

0 delivered at least 48 weekday hours in advance of the time set and shallspecify the date, time, and location of the meeting and the purpose orpurposes for which the meeting is to be held. A copy of each such noticeshall, immediately be posted as the general laws relative to such postingsshall r e q u i ~ e . SECTION 3-6: APPROVAL OF MAYOR, VETOEvery order, ordinance, resolution or vote adopted or passed by the citycouncil relative to the affairs of the city, except memorial resolutions, theselection of city officers by the city council and any matters relating to theinternal affairs of the city council, shall to be presented to the mayor forapproval within 3 business days of such adoption or passage. If the mayorapproves of the measure the mayor shall sign it; if the mayor disapproves ofthe measure the mayor shall return the measure, with the specific reason orreasons for such disapproval attached thereto, in writing, to the city council.The city council shall enter the objections of the mayor on its records, andnot sooner than 10 business days, nor after 30 days from the date of itsreturn to the city council, shall again consider the same measure. I f the citycouncil, notwithstanding such disapproval by the mayor, shall again pass the

14


15/47

As Amended in City Council March 11 2012

__ o r d e r , _ o r d i n a n c _ e , _ c ~ s o l u t i o n or vote by a 2/3 vote of the full council, it shall------ - - - - - -- - - - - - ----------------- --------- ------------------- - -- ------ - - - - - - - -then be deemed in force, notwithstanding the failure of the mayor toapprove the same. I f the mayor has neither signed a measure nor returned

i Iit to the city council within 10 days following the date it was presented to themayor, the measure shall be deemed approved andlilforce.SECTION 3-7: TEMPORARY ABSENCE OF THE MAYOR(a) Acting Mayor- Whenever, by reason of sickness!, absence from the cityor other cause, the mayor shall be unable to perform the duties of the office,the president of the city council shall be the acting mayor. The city council,by the affirmative vote of 7 members, shall determin.e whether the mayor isunable to perform the duties of the office. Notwithstanding any general orspecial law to the contrary, said vote shall be taken iin public session by ai .call of the role.(b) Powers ofActing M a y o r ~ The acting mayor shall have only those powersof the mayor as are indispensably essential to the conduct of the business ofthe city in an orderly and efficient manner and on which action may not bedelayed. The acting mayor shall have no authority to make any permanentappointment or removal from city service unless the disability or absence ofthe mayor shall extend beyond 60 days nor shall an acting mayor approve ordisapprove of any measure adopted by the city council unless the timewithin which the mayor must act would expire before the return of themayor. During any period in which any member of the city council is servingas acting mayor, such councilor shall not vote as a member of the citycouncil.SECTION 3-8: DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY BY MAYORThe mayor may authorize any subordinate officer or employee of the city toexercise any power or perform any function or any duty which is assigned bythis charter, or otherwise, to the mayor and the mayor may rescind orrevoke any such authorizations previously made, provided, however, that all

15


16/47


. acts performed under a n y ~ . U C h q e l e g ~ ~ i o n of authority during ~ u c h period of . . . . .authorization shall be and remain the acts of the mayor. Nothing in thissection shall be construed to authorize a mayor to delegate the powers and

I.duties as a school committee member, the power of appointment to cityoffice or employment or to sign or return measures approved By tile citycouncil.SECTION 3-9: VACANCY IN OFFICE OF IMAYOR(a) I f a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs prior to the eighteenth monthof the term for which the mayor is elected, the city council shall forthwith, inthe manner provided in section 8-1, order a special election to .be held within90 days following the date the vacancy is created, to fill such vacancy untilthe next regular city election. The person ~ l e c t e d at such regular cityIelection shall take office immediately. I f a regular city election is to be heldwithin 120 days following the date the vacancy is created a special electionneed not be held and the office shall be filled by vote at such regular cityelection.(b) I f a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs between the nineteenth andtwenty-second month of the term for which the mayor is elected, the citycouncil president shall serve as mayor until the next regular election. Theperson elected as mayor under this subsection shall take office immediatelyand serve fo r the balance of the then unexpired term.(c) I f a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs during the twenty-third andfortieth month of the term for which the mayor is elected, the city councilshall forthwith, in the manner provided by section 8-1, order a specialelection to be held within 90 days following the date the vacancy is created,to serve for the balance of the then unexpired term.(d) I f a vacancy in the office of mayor occurs during or after the forty-firstmonth of the term for which the mayor was elected, the city councilpresident shall serve for the balance of the then unexpired term.

16


17/47


(e) In thee\{ent thatthe city C()uncil preside11t unable to serve as mayorunder this section, the city council shall elect, from among its membership, aperson to serve as mayor.

'(f ) Any person serving as mayor under this section shall receive thecompensation then in effect for the office of mayor.ARTICLE 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEESECTION 4-1: COMPOSITION; TERM OF OFFICE; ELIGIBILITY(a) Composition - There shall be a school committee which shall consist of10 members. Two of these members shall be nominated and elected by andfrom the voters of the city at large and 7 of these members shall benominated and elected by ward. The mayor shall serve, by virtue of the!office, as the chair of the school committee with all of the same powers andduties as the members elected by the voters as school committee members.(b) Term of Office -The term of office for the elected school committeemembers shall be for 2 years, beginning on the first Monday in Januarysucceeding their election, except when said first Monday falls on a legalholiday, in which event the term shall begin on the following day, and untiltheir successors have been qualified.(c) Eligibility- A school committee member shall .at the time of election be avoter. I f a school committee member removes from the city during the termfor which elected such office shall immediately be deemed vacant and filledin the manner provided in section 4-6. A ward school committee memberwho removes from the ward from which elected and who remains a residentof the city may continue to serve during the term for which elected.SECTION 4-2: SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR(a) Chair- The mayor, as school committee chair, shall preside at all

meetings of the school committee, regulate its proceedings and shall decideall questions of order. The school committee chair shall appoint all members

17


18/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012_________________

_of all committees _o_fthe s


19/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012______-be effective unlessitshall Jla\fe b e ~ n adopted during the first 18 months of

the term for which elected school committee members are elected andunless it provides that the salary increase is to take effect upon the

I Iorganization of the city government following the next regular city election.SECTION 4-5: SCHOOL COMMITTEE POW ER s -A N D i lO T l E S ' - - -- --The school committee shall have all powers which are conferred on schoolcommittees by Igeneral laws and such additional powers ancl duties as maybe provided by the charter, by ordinance, or otherwise and not inconsistentwith said grant of powers conferred by general laws. The powers and dutiesof the school committee shall include the following:1) To elect a superintendent of the schools who shall be charged with theadministration ;of the school system, subject only to policy guidelines and! !directives adopted by the school committee and, upon the recommendationof said superintendent, to establish and appoint assistant or associatesuperintendents as provided in section 59 of chapter 71 of the General Laws; _2) To make all reasonable rules and regulations for the management of thepublic school system and for conducting the business of the schoolcommittee as may be deemed necessary or desirable;3) To adopt and to oversee the administration of an annual operating budgetfor the school department, subject to appropriation by the city council. Theschool committee shall have general charge and superintendence of allschool buildings and grounds and shall furnish all school buildings withproper fixtures, furniture and equipment. The school committee shall provideordinary maintenance of all school buildings and grounds; unless a centralmunicipal maintenance department which may include maintenance ofschool buildings and grounds is established in accordance with law.Whenever the school committee shall determine that additional classroomsare necessary to meet the educational needs of the community, at least onemember of th'e school committee,- or a designee of the school committee,

19


20/47


- _ shallseryeontl:lt:_agt=ncy,bo_ardor c o m m i t ~ ~ ~ t ( ) _ v v h i c h the planning orconstruction of such new, remodeled or renovated school building isdelegated.

ISECTION 4-6: FILLING OF VACANCIES

Whenever a vacancy shalloccur in the off1ce of scnool commiUee m e m - b - e r - - - - - , - - the president of the city council shall, within 30 days following the date ofsuch vacancy, call a joint meeting of the city council and the schoolcommittee to act to fill said vacancy. The city council and school committeeshall choose a person to fill the vacancy from among the voters entitled tovote for such office. Persons elected to fill a vacancy by the city council andschool committee shall s e ~ v e only until the next regular city_ election, whenthe office shall be filled by the voters. The candidatie elected to an officei ifilled b.y appointment prior to the election shall be sworn to such officeimmediately to complete the then unexpired term in addition to the term forwhich elected. No vacancy shall be filled, in the manner herein provided, if aregular city election is to be held within 120 days following the date thevacancy is declared to exist. Persons serving as school committee membersunder this section shall not be entitled to have the words "candidate fo rreelection" printed against their names on the election ballot.

ARTICLE 5OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS

City Clerk(a) Election; Eligibility -The city clerk shall be elected by and from thevoters of the city at large. Any voter shall be eligible to hold the office of cityclerk. The city clerk shall devote full time to the office and shall not hold anyother elective publicoffice. The city clerk shall perform all the duties and

. exercise the powers incumbent by law upon the office.(b) Term of Office -The term of office of the city clerk shall be 2 years,

beginning on the first Monday in the January succeeding his or her election,

20


21/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012~ ~ ~ - ~ - - -_ ~ x c e p t when said first Monday falls on a legaL holiday, in which event the

~ ~ - ~ ~ - - ~ ~ - ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ ~ - - ~ ~ - - ~ ~ ~ - - - - - ~ - ~ ~ ~ - - ~ - - ~ - ~ - - ~ - ~ ~ ~ -

term shall begin on the following day, and unti l the city clerk's successorhas been qualified.

'(c) Compensation -The city council shall, by ordinance, establish the salaryfor the office of the city clerk.(d) Temporary Absence - In case of the temporary absence of the city clerk,the mayor shall appoint an acting city clef.k. The mayor shall be the solejudge of whether a temporary absence exists in the office of city clerk. (e) Filling of Vacancy - Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of cityclerk, the city council shall, within 30 days following the date of such

. vacancy, act to fill said vacancy. _A person elected to fill a vacancy by the citycouncil shall serve only until the next regJiar city election, when the office!shall be filled by the voters. The person elected at such regular city electionshall take office immediately. No vacancy shall be filled, in the mannerherein provided, if a regular city election is to be held within 120 daysfollowing the date the vacancy is declared to exist. A person serving as cityclerk under this section shall not be entitled to have the words \\candidate forreelection" printed against his or her name on the election ballot.

Trustees under the will of Charles E. ForbesFive members shall be elected by and from the voters of the city at large fora term of4 years, so arranged that all members are not elected at the sametime. Vacancies shall be filled in a like manner as a city clerk vacancy.

Elector under the Oliver Smith willOne member shall be elected by and from the voter of the city at large for aterm of 2 years. Vacancies shall be filled in a like manner as a city clerkvacancy.

21


22/47


-__Superintendents of_ Smith's AgriculturaLSchoolThree members shall be elected by and from the voters of the city at largefor a term of 2 years. Vacancies shall be filled in a like manner as a city Clerkvacancy.

Community Preservation CommffteeTwo members shall be elected by and from the voters of the city at large for

a term of 4 years. Vacancies sHall be filled in a like manner as a city clerk Ivacancy.

ARTICLE 6ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

SECTION 6-1: ORGANIZATION OF CITY AGENCIESThe organization of the city into; operating agencies for the provision of!services and the administration .of the government may be accomplished

. only through an administrative order submitted to the city council by themayor. No administrative order may originate with the city counc.il. Themayor may, subject only to express prohibitions in a general law or thischarter, submit proposals to reorganize, consolidate or abolish any cityagency, in whole or in part, or to establish such new city agencies as isdeemed necessary, but no function assigned by this charter to a particularcity agency may be discontinued or assigned to any other city agency unless

this charter specifically so provides. The mayor may from time to timeprepare and submit to the city council administrative orders that establishoperating divisions for the orderly, efficient or convenient conduct of thebusiness of the city. These administrative orders shall be accompanied by amessage of the mayor which explains the benefits expected to ensue andadvises the city council if any provision of an administrative order shallrequire amendments, insertions, revisions, repeal or otherwise of existingordinances. Whenever the mayor proposes an administrative order, the citycouncil shall hold one or more public hearings on the proposal giving notice

22


23/47


bypublication- in_ a IOCC;ll newspaper, wllich notice shall describe the scope of. "- ------------- - -- - --------- -- ----- ---------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - -the proposal and the time and place at which the public hearing will be held,not less than 7 nor mo,re than 14 days following said publication.organization or reorganization plan shall become effective at the expirationof 60 days following the date the proposal is su5mJttea-roEne dty counc , l l - - - - - - -unless the city council shall., by a majority vote, within such period vote todisapprove the plan. Tne city council may vote only to approve or tbdisapprove the plan and may not vote to amend or to alter it.SECTION 6-2: MERIT PRINCIPLESAll appointments and promotions of city officers and employees must bemade on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated by examination, pastperformance or by other evidence of competence and suitability. Eckh! 'person appointed to fill an office or position shall be a person especiallyfitted by education, training and previous work experience to perform theduties of the office or position for which chosen.

ARTICLE 7FINANCE AND FISCAL PROCEDURES

SECTION 7-1: FISCAL YEARThe fiscal year of the city shall begin on the first day of July and shall end onthe last day of June, unless another period is required by general law.SECTION 7-2: ANNUAL BUDGET POLICYThe mayor shall call a joint meeting of the city council and schoolcommittee, to include the superintendent of schools, before thecommencement of the budget process to review the financial condition ofthe city, revenue and expenditure forecasts, and other relevant informationprepared by the mayor in order to develop a coordinated budget .

23


24/47


SECTION 7-3: SUBMISSION OF OPERATING BUDGET; BUDGETMESSAGEAt least 45 days before the beginning of the fiscal year, the mayor shall

I Isubmit to the city council a proposed operating budget for all city agencies,which shall include the school department, for the ensumg fiscal year wrtn anaccompanying budget message and supporting documents. The budgetmessage suomitted by the mayor shall explain the operating budget in fiscalterms and in terms of work programs for all city agencies. I t shall outline theproposed fiscal policies of the city for the ensuing_ fiscal year, describeimportant features of the proposed operating budget and include any majorvariations from the current operating budget, fiscal policies, revenues andexpenditured together with reasons for these changes. The proposed: . joperating budget shall provide a complete fiscal plan o.f all city funds andactivities and shall be in the form the mayor deems desirable, providedhowever, that the budget for elected officials shall identify the cost ofcompensation and the cost of benefits for those officials. The school budget,as adopted by the school committee shall be submitted to the mayor at least30 days before the submission of the proposed operating budget to the citycouncil. The mayor shall notify the school committee of the date by whichthe proposed budget of the school committee shall be submitted to themayor. The mayor and the superintendent of schools shall coordinate thedates and times of the school committee's. budget process under the GeneralLaws.SECTION 7-4: ACTION ON THE OPERATING BUDGET(a) Public Hearing - The city council shall publish in at least l localnewspaper a notice of the proposed operating budget as submitted by themayor. The notice shall state (1) the times and places where copies of theentire proposed operating budget are available for i n s p e c t i o ~ by the public,and (2) the date, time and 'place not less than 14 days after its publication,

24


25/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - -

~ . ~ w h e n (,:1 public hearin on he proposed o p e r a t i ~ g ! J u d g e ~ v v i l l ~ be held by the .city council.(b) Adoption of the Budget- The city council shall adopt the proposedo p e ~ a t i n g budget, with or without amendments, within 45 days following thedate the proposed budget is filed with the city crefk. In amenaing tnil3e.------proposed operating budget, the city council may delete or decrease anyamdunts except expenditures required by law, btlt except on therecommendation of the mayor, the city council shall not increase any item inor the total of the proposed operating budget, unless otherwise authorizedby the general laws. I f the city council fails to take action on any item in theproposed operating budget within 45 days after its receipt, that amountshall, without any action by the city council, become a part of the: !appropriations for the year, and be available for the purposes specified.SECTION 7-5: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM(a) Submission -The mayor shall submit a capital improvement program tothe city council at least 120 days before the start of each fiscal year. Thecapital improvement program shall .include:(1) a general summary of its contents;(2) a list of all capital improvements proposed to be undertaken during thenext ensuing 5 years, with supporting information as to the need for eachcapital improvement;(3) cost estimates, methods of financing and recommended time schedulesfor each improvement; and,(4) the estimated annual cost of operating and maintaining each facility andpiece of major equipment involved.This information is to be annually revised by the mayor with regard to thecapital improvements still pending or in the process of being acquired,improved or constructed.

25


26/47


(b) Public Hearing -The city council shaJI P l l b l i s ~ in at east one newspaperof general circulation in the city a notice stating: (1) the times and placeswhere entire copies of the capital improvements program are available for

Iinspection by the public; and, (_2) the date, time and place not less than 14days after such publication, w ~ e n a public heanng on sa1Bplanwill be held by the city council.(c) Adoption - At any time after the public hearing but before the first day ofthe last month of the current fiscal year, the city council shall by resolutionadopt the capital improvements program with or without amendment,provided that each amendment must be voted separately and that anyincrease in the capital improvements program as submitted must clearlyidentify the method of financing proposed to accomplish such increase.ISECTION 7-6: INDEPENDENT AUDITThe city council shall annually provide for an outside audit of the books andaccounts of the city to be conducted by a certified public accountant, or afirm of certified public accountants, which has no personal interest, direct orindirect, in the fiscal affairs of the city or any of its officers. The mayor shallannually provide to the city council a sum of money sufficient to satisfy theestimated cost of conducting the audit as presented to the mayor, in writing,by the city council. The award of a contract to audit shall be made by thecity council on or before September 15 of each year. The clerk of the councilshall coordinate the work of the individual or firm selected. The report of theaudit shall be filed in final form with the city council not later than March 1 inthe year following its award.

SECTION 7-7: EXPENDITURES IN EXCESS OF APPROPRIATIONSExcept as otherwise may be provided bylaw, no official of the city ofNorthampton shall knowingly and intentionally expend in any fiscal year anysums in excess of the appropriations, awards, grants or gifts, duly made inaccordance with law, or involve the city in any contract for the future

26


27/47


_ paym_ent of money in excess of these a p p r o ~ r i a t i o n s , _ awards, _grants or ~ g i ! t s . It is the intention of this section that section 31 of chapter 44 of the GeneralLaws shall be strictly enforced. Any official who violates this section shall bepersonally liable to the city for' any amounts so expended to the extent that the city does not recover fnese amountsfrom th-e11eTso-n-to--wh-o-m-th-e-sums--were paid. . ,.....

ARTICLE 8ELECTIONS

SECTION 8-1: PRELIMINARY ELECTIONSA preliminary election for the purpose of nominating candidates for mayor,city councilors, school committee members and city clerk shall be held onthe third Tuesday in September in each odd-numbered year in which they ij jare to be elected, but the city clerk may, with the approval of the citycouncil, reschedule this preliminary election to the fourth Tuesday to avoid aconflict with any civil or religious holiday. Whenever a special election to filla vacancy is to be held, a preliminary election shall be conducted, ifnecessary, 28 days before the date established for the special election,provided, however, that a preliminary election to fill a vacancy for wardcouncilor or ward school committee member, if necessary, shall be held onlyin the affected ward.SECTION 8-2: PRELIMINARY ELECTION PROCEDURES(a) Signature Requirements - The number of signatures of voters required toplace the name of a candidate on the official ballot to be used at apreliminary election shall be as follows: for the office of mayor not less than150 such certified signatures, for the office of councilor-at-large, schoolcommittee member at large, or city clerk, not less than 100 such certifiedsignatures; for the office of ward city councilor, ward school committeemember, trustees under the will of Charles E. Forbes, elector under theOliver Smith will, superintendents of Smith's Agricultural School or the

27


28/47


-_Comml]nityPreservation Committee, not less than 50 such certified- - ----- - -- - - -- -- - -- -- ----------

signatures. Signatures of voters shall be made on a form prescribed by theregistrars of voters and shall be made available no earlier than April 2 ineach preliminary election year. Said forms must be submitted to the cityclerk on or before 4 o'clock in tneafternoon on tile f b T t y - = f i f t l l d a y - p - r i n r t o ~ - - - - - the declared date of such preliminary election. An individual may appear on

the ballot for only one office at any preliminary, regular or speciallcityelection.{b) Ballot Position - The order in which names of candidates for each officeappear on the ballot shall be determined by a drawing, by lot, conducted bythe city clerk at least 40 days before the preliminary election. Such drawingshall be open to the public.{c) Determination of Candidates- The 2 persons receiving at a preliminaryelection the highest number of votes for nomination for an office shall,except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, be the sole candidatesfor that office whose names shall be printed on the official ballot to be usedat the regular or special city election at which such office is to be votedupon, and no acceptance of a nomination shall be necessary to its validity. I f2 or more persons are to be elected to the same office at such regular orspecial city election, the several persons equal in number to twice thehumber so to be elected receiving at such preliminary election the highestnumber of votes for nomination for that office shall, except as provided bysubsection (d) of this section, be the sole candidates for that office whosenames shall be printed on the official ballot. I f the preliminary electionresults in a tie vote among candidates for nomination receiving the lowestnumber of votes which, but for said tie vote, would entitle a person receivingthe same to have their name printed on the official ballot fo r the election, allcandidates participating in said tie vote shall have their names printed onthe official ballots, although in consequence thereof there shall be printed on

28


29/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012~ ~ ~ - - 1_.. such ballots t h e n a m e s ~ o f c a ( l d i d a t e s _ e x c e e d i n g twice the number to beelected.(d) C o n d i t i o ~ Making Preliminary Unnecessary- I f at the,expiration of thetime for filing statements of candidates to be voted for at any preliminaryelection not more than twice as many such statementsnave o e e n - n l - e ~ d - w t t h - - - - - the city clerk for an office as are to be elected to such office, the candidateswhose statements have thus been filed shall be deemed to have beennominated to said office, and their names shall be voted on for such office atthe succeeding regular or special city election, as the case may be, and thecity clerk shall not print said names upon the ballot to be used at saidpreliminary election and no other nomination to said office shall be made. If .in consequence it shall appear that no names are to be phnted upon the) iofficial ballot to be used at any preliminary election in any ward or wards ofthe city, no preliminary election shall be held in any such ward or wards.SECTION.S-3 REGULAR CITY ELECTIONThe regular city election shall be held on the first Tuesday following the firstMonday in November in each odd-numbered year.SECTION 8-4: BALLOT POSITION, REGULAR CITY ELECTIONThe order_ in which names of candidates for each office appear on the ballotfor each office shall be determined by a drawing, by lot, conducted by the.city clerk no later than 7 days after the certification of the preliminaryelection results. Such drawing shall be open to the public.SECTION 8-5: NON-PARTISAN ELECTIONSAll elections for city offices shall be non-partisan, and election ballots shallbe printed without any party mark, emblem, or other political designation.SECTION 8-6: WARDSThe territory of the city shall be divided into 7 wards by the city clerk soestabli'shed as to consist of as nearly an equal number of inhabitants as it ispossible to achieve based on compact and contiguous territory, bounded as

29


30/47


faraspossibleby the center line ()f known streets or ways or by other well-defined limits. Each such ward shall be composed of voting precinctsestablished in accordance with general laws. The city council shall from time

I Ito time, but at least once in each 10 years, review these wards to insuretheir uniformity in number of inhabitants.SECTION 8-7: APPLICATION OF STATE GENERAL LAWSExce1pt as otherwise expressly provided in this charter and authorized bylaw, all city elections shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealthrelating to the right to vote, the registration of voters, the nomination ofcandidates, voting places, the conduct of preliminary, regular and specialcity elections, the submission of charters, charter amendments and otherpropositions to the voters, the counting of votes, ;the recounting of votes,j . iand the determination of results.

ARTICLE 9CITIZEN PARTICIPATION MECHANISMS

SECTION 9-1: CITIZEN INITIATIVE MEASURES(a) Commencement- Initiative procedures shall be started by the filing of aproposed initiative petition with the city clerk or the secretary of the schoolcommittee. The petition shall be addressed to the city council or to theschool committee, shall contain a request for the passage of a particularmeasure which shall be set forth in full in the petition, and shall be signed byat least 250 voters. At least 25 signatures must be certified from each ward.The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by 10 voters andcontaining their residential address stating they will constitute thepetitioners committee and be responsible fo r circulating the petition andfiling it in proper form.(b) Referral to City Solicitor- The city clerk or the secretary of the schoolcommittee shall, immediately following receipt of a proposed petition, delivera copy of the petition to the city solicitor. The city solicitor shall, within 15

30


31/47


. days following receipt of a copy :Qf the p ~ t i ~ I e > . [ l , irl vvriting, advise the city.- - - - -- - -- -- - - - - - - -council or the school committee and the city clerk whether the measure as

proposed may lawfully be proposed by the initiative process and whether, in'its present form it may be lawfully be adopted by the city council or the

school committee. I f the opinion of the city solicitor 1s Enat-Ene measure r s - - - - - - - - -not in proper form, the reply shall state the reasons for this opinion, in full.A copy of the opinion of the city solicitor 'shall be mailed to the members ofthe petitioners committee.(c) Submission to City Clerk- I f the opinion of the city solicitor is that thepetition is in a proper form, the city clerk shall provide blank forms for theuse of subsequent signers, and shall print at the top of each blank form afair, concise summary of the proposed m1easure, as determined by the cityIsolicitor, together with the names and addresses of the first 10 voters whosigned the originating petition. The city clerk shall notify the first 10 votersthat the blank forms are issued. Within 30 days following the date of suchnotice, the petition shall be returned and filed with the city clerk signed by atl e ~ s t 10 percent of the total number of registered voters as of the date ofthe most recent regular city election. Signatures to an initiative petition neednot all be on 1 paper, but all papers pertaining to any one measure shall befastened together and shall be filed as a single instrument, with theendorsement on it of the name and residence address of the persondesignated as filing the same. With each signature on the petition there shallalso appear the street and number of the residence of each signer. Within 10days following the filing of the petition, the registrars of voters shallascertain by what number of voters. the petition has been signed, and whatpercentage that number is of the total number of voters as of the date of themost recent regular city election. The registrars of voters shall attach to thepetition a certificate showing the results of its examination and shall returnthe petition to the city clerk, or the secretary of the school committee,

31


32/47


~ d e p e n d i n g on hO\fl/ the petition is agdressed. A copy of the registrars ofvoters' certificate shall also be mailed to the members of the petitionerscommittee.

'(d) Action on Petitions - Within .30 days following the date a petition hasbeen returned to the city clerk or the secretary or-tile school com-m-it te-e-;-an-d'-after publication under subsection (f), the city council or the schoolcommittee shall act with respeCt to each initiative petition by passing itwithout change, by passing a measure which is stated to be in lieu of theinitiative measure, or by rejecting it. The passage of a measure which is inlieu of an initiative measure shall be deemed to be a rejection of theinitiative measure. I f the city council or the school committee fails to actwith respect to any initiative measure which is presented to it within 30 dayis! !following the date the measure. is returned to it, the measure shall bedeemed to have been rejected on the thirtieth day. I f an initiative measureis rejected, the city clerk or the secretary of the school committee shallpromptly give notice of that fact to the petitioners committee, by certifiedmail.(e) Supplementary Petitions - Within 60 days following the date an initiativepetition has been rejected, a supplemental initiative petition may be filedwith the city clerk or the secretary of the school committee, but only bypersons constituting the original petitioners committee. The supplementalinitiative petition shall be signed by a number of additional voters which isequal to at least 5 percent of the total number of registered voters as of thedate of the most recent regular city election. The signatures on the initialpetition filed under subsection (c), and the signatures on the supplementalpetition filed under this subsection, taken together, shall contain thesignatures of at least 15 percent of the total number of registered voters asof the date of the most recent regular city election. I f the number ofsignatures to this supplemental petition is found to be sufficient by the city

32


33/47


___ clerk, the city


34/47


- percent of the total .number of v o t ~ r s as of the date !he most recent .regular city election and addressed to the city council or to the schoolcommittee as the case may be, protesting against the measure or any partof it is filed ~ i t h the secretary of the school committee o'r city clerk, theeffective date 9f such measure snaTI5e temporarrly s u s p e n d B - d : - - l h - e - s c h o - o - 1 - - : - - - -committee or the city council shall immediately reconsider its vote on the

"measure orlpart of it, and, if the measure is not rescinded, the city councilshall provide for the submission of the question for a determination by thevoters either at a special election which it may call at its convenience, orwithin such time as may be requested by the school committee, or at thenext regular city election, but pending this submission and determination,the effect of the measure shall continue to be suspended.! '(b) Certain Initiative Provisions to Apply- The petition described in this?ection shall be termed a referendum petition and the applicable provisions

. .of section 9-1 as they relate to the filing and certification of signatures shallapply to such referendum petitions, except that the words "measure or partthereof protested against" shall be deemed to replace the word "measure"and the word "referendum" shall be deemed to replace the word "initiative".Subject to the provisions of section 9-4, the measure or part protestedagainst shall be null and void unless a majority of those voting on thequestion shall vote in favor of the measure or part protested against at theelection.SECTION 9-3: INELIGIBLE MEASURESNone of the following shall be subject to the initiative or the referendumprocedures:(1) proceedings relating to the internal organization or operation of the citycouncil or of the school committee;(2) an emergency measure adopted under the charter;(3) the city budget or the school committee budget as a whole;

34


35/47


.- (4}:9ny_appropriation foe the payment of- the city's debt or debt service;(5) an appropriation of funds to implement a collective bargainingagreement;

' I(6) proceedings relating to the appointment, removal, discharge,

-

employment, promotion, transfer, demotion, or other personnel ac t l on " ; - - - - - - - -(7) any proceedings repealing or rescinding a measure or part of it which isprotested by referendum procedures;(8) any proceedings providing for the submission or referral to the voters atan election; and(9) resolutions and other votes constituting ordinary, routine matters notsuitable as the subject of a referendum petition.SECTION 9-4: REQUIRED VOTER PARTICIPATION' iFor any measure to be effective under initiative procedure and for anymeasure to be declared null and void under any referendum procedure, atleast 20 percent of the voters as of the most recent regular city electionmust vote at an election that includes on the ballot submission to the votersof one or more initiative or referendum questions.SECTION 9-5: SUBMISSION OF OTHER MATTERS TO VOTERSThe city council may of its own motion, and shall, at the request of theschool committee, if a measure originates with that body and pertains toaffairs under its jurisdiction, submit to the voters at any regular city electionfor adoption or rejection any measure in the same manner and with thesame force and effect as are hereby provided for submission by initiative orreferendum petitions.SECTION 9-6: CONFLICTING PROVISIONSIf 2 or more measures passed at the same election contain conflictingprovisions, only the one receiving the greatest number of affirmative votesshall take effect.

35

___________


36/47


ARTICLE 10GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 10-1: CHARTER CHANGESThis charter may be replaced, revised or am'ended in accordance with any procedure made available uncrerfne stare c o n s t i t u t i u n - ; - o r b y s t a t a t e ~ s - - - - - - - -+enacted in accordance with the state constitution.

1SECTION 10-2: SEVERABILITYThe provisions of this charter are severable. I f any provision of this charteris held invalid, the other provisions shall not be affected by this holding. I fthe application of this charter, or any of its provisions, to any person orcircumstance is held invalid, the application of the charter and its provisionsito other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.:SECTION 10-3: SPECIFIC PROVISION TO PREVAILTo the extent that any specific provision of this charter shall conflict with anyprovision expressed in general terms, the specific provision shall prevail.SECTION 10-4: RULES AND REGULATIONSA copy of all rules and regulations adopted by any city agehcy shall beplaced on file in the office of the city clerk no later than their effective dateand shall be available for review by any person who requests suchinformation at any reasonable time. Unless an emergency exists asdetermined by the mayor, no rule or regulation adopted by any city agencyshall become effective until at least 5 days following the date it is so filed.SECTION 10-5: PERIODIC REVIEW OF ORDINANCES~ ~ : ~ r r t ~ r 3 t H , a . J i i i ; ~ 6 ' , ~ ; r r t : F ~ ~ i . 9 f J : l : i i ~ ) ] ~ f r $ : : : Y : ~ . ~ E i i i t ~ r \ L ? F r ~ ' I ' n i ~ , 9 ~ ~ ~ ; ~ ~ ~ ; c [ i l i . ~ i B : 9 ~ 1 I o : ~ ~ : ~ : ~ < ? : E ~ I 8 ~ f ~ i i z ~ i : g ~ : f ~ . i l l ~ I J i d i : o ~ ~ i T 8 ~ ~ ~ ~ t 1 i ~ I t E I m ~ ~ 7 9 E " ~ E ~ : i 9 I t , i : 1 9 9 g : l } 9 l E : ~ ~ 6 : 1 I 1 R ' ~ g ; ~ ~ T ~ ~ 9 r 1 ~ ~ E r ] I . ~ \ & ; t Q : ~ ~ ~ : g _ ; g ; ~ - ~ ~ i ' < ; i t ' I 9 : 6 i ~ t 9 ' F i l i r 9 . f . ~ t f l . g 1 9 . E ~ G i ~ : g ~ ~ : ~ 3 2 I ; I ~ ~ ~ & I : t ~ ~ t 9 f i 1 i t ~ [ ~ . Q Q . G R Q : $ & 5 ~ t E ~ r ~ R : ~ m : n : 9 : / ~ ~ . : i ~ c 9 P . 9 : $ . ~ g ~ : t r : ~ I $ I t i > . o ~ . 9 E P ~ 9 9 , ~ J f i Q ~ t T 9 ' B ~ ~ Q f i t : 6 . f i J J ] I ; I [ i f i l i ~ E g : i : ~ f 2 l J K ~ 1 t l ~ [ ~ ' : : f 6 J ; ~ ~ a ~ ~ I ~ l & ~ : : ~ ' i ? ' ~ 9 1 ~ E 9 . Q 1 - B . 0 J 1 ~ ~ ~ - : ~ ~ f u ~ ~ s : ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ ; ~ E ~ ~ g ~ n ~ 1 0 i 9 J K ~ , l i m : ~ f u ; g ~ J ~ H ~ ~ ! i i l i . ~ . i a ; I ~ ' ~ t z ~ ~ ( [ f ~ ; , $ ~ ~ 1 ~ , ; _ g Q r n m J & ~ ~ ~ g t ~ ~ B ~ l J : . ' ~ e ~ ~ 9 : t ~ : ~ ~ I Q _ Q t B ~ 1 L t i m i i t r ~ 3 ~ ~ o i ' ~ ; t

36


37/47


q r c : J r f i n ~ n c ~ . - ~ I h ~ i r ~ y i ~ f v of city . o r < ; i ! D 9 1 1 ~ e s s h a l f b e ~ J l d ~ ~ I b ' ~ : s . y : p ~ ~ c v l T 9 6 ~ i 9 I th{'C:'itv : 5 9 - l i g i t o ; : _ : _ - : : 9 P - ~ ~ ~ - " : 9 - a f 1 y r ~ C : t : > m me r f 8 - a E i o t i 5 " 5 H I ! - ~ - ~ ~ . r n - ~ a e - _ a v a f t a " t : > l ~ z t : a t b ~ - _ - p _ u _ 6 _ 1 r c - ~ ? t ~ ~ - - ~ - 6 ~ f ' o 9 I ' i 9 I ~ ~ - G ~ - ~ - - - ~ _ - : t B ~ ~ - ~ 2 t G ~ - ~ - - ~ - 9 ~ t : 9 t . I 6 : ~ ; : , e . _ i ? i Q _ ~ - ~ 9 I ! 9 6 : ; ;

---

SECTION 10-6: PERIODIC RE-VrEw-OF-CFIARTER-- - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - , - - -i ~ . Q f j ~ I [ j b . ~ J 1 ; - f h _ j } r ~ f - ~ y - - g f J 0 I \ i ; - - f i Q - r y [ J I J t ~ [ ' y - ~ j - ' J _ - : ' f o - _ - ~ ~ ~ g b _ - i ~ I j : ~ _ t : J ; ~ I o : g 1 H . ~ - ~ - ~ ~ _ ; _ - : f 6 . e : . r l 5 ~ _ Y , q y . ~ _ 6 _ ( ~ I 1 . Y : ..B 9 i 8 . g i _ ( _ ~ b ~ - ~ ~ c P E 9 I N - ~ _ } q _ r ~ Y : c ~ Y I ~ ~ : t ' 9 ; ~ e } m a - 8 g l ~ : q ~ ~ 6 g : ~ i t v ~ Q h ~ : d : i t i i l l t ! i _ ~ : i ~ . ~ T ~ M E ~ $ h ~ ) J ' ! B _ ~ I m ~ ~ - ~ - ~ - , i B _ v i ~ 5 ~ j ; > ~ ~ I f C ! ~ 9 i m : i ! ] ' t t g g ~ : 9 _ i ~ ~ . i t ~ E f u i 6 _ g ~ : ; ~ ~ Y ~ 9 - e ~ I n : ~ _ o g ~ - ~ : _ & T f m g i i J ~ ~ g f ~ - : - 9 r ~ ~ f l g ; - ~ ~ g } l r l ' D S 1 ~ t ~ 1 B : . ~ : O J s ~ g _ J ~ 9 ~ g ~ r : ~ Q t ~ 6 ~ . - C : ' i F ? . T I 6 ~ - ; ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ] 2 9 ~ r n m i t t ~ . : ~ - 1 1 ~ T e f i i ~ - ; : f ~ ~ ; [ ~ F j ; 9 r t : ; W f t . H i ; t l J : ~ ~ i J t ) f , ; _ ( 5 i ' ~ . 8 R ~ i ~ f : I ~ ' : l f ~ I ~ ; - $ J ? ~ 9 t t f g ~ : : ~ Y i - _ ' Q _ [ ~ I n ~ : 8 : G . . ~ - ~ I C ? Q R T ~ ~ - ~ ~ ~ f _ { ~ i 1 Y ; ; r = ~ 9 . g - 8 J f f i I I ~ ~ ~ f i 2 I t g [ , $ f i ~ J T ' ! 2 : ~ ~ : m ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ J $ : ~ - ~ ~ - i T ~ S J ~ I C : i ~ t - ~ . g - ~ f B ~ ~ 0 ~ J i g : ~ ~ t : : : ~ ~ ~ 9 . ~ I : @ : 9 . t 1 Q " . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3 t b ~ ~ : - i 9 t ~ ~ I K ~ Q ' i ~ ; 9 I : t 5 ~ l f i b ? i ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ - ~ - g f f i ~ SECTION 10-7: UNIFORM PROCEDURES GOVERNING MULTIPLEMEMBER BODIES(a) Meetings - All appointed multiple member bodies of the city shall meetregularly at the times and places that they, by their own rules, prescribe.Special meetings of any multiple member body shall be held on the call ofthe chairman or by a majority of the members of the body. Notice of suchmeeting shall be posted. in accordance with law. Except as may otherwise beauthorized by law, all meetings of all multiple member bodies shall at alltimes be open to the public.(b) Me_eting Documents and Submissions - Each appointed multiple memberbody shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall providefor the keeping of agendas, minutes and related submissions of itsproceedings. All such documents shall be a public record, and certifiedcopies shall be placed on file in the office of the city clerk within 15 days oftheir approval.

37


38/47


(c) Voting - I f requested by any member, any vote of any appointed multiple--- -------- - -- - - -- -- -- -- --- - - - - - - - -- - ---- -member body shall be taken by a call of the roll and the vote of eachmember shall be recorded in the minutes, but if the vote is unanimous, onlythat fact need be recorded.(d) Quorum- A maJority of1ne memBers of an a-p-p-o-r-nte-d-multip-1-e-m-emb-er--r------body shall constitute a quorum. Unless some other provision is made by themultiple member body's own rules While a quorum is present, except on Iprocedural matters, a majority of the full membership of the body shall berequired to vote on any matter representing an exercise of the powers of the multiple member body. General Law provisions related to any vote to meetin "executive session" shall always reql1ire a majority of members of thebody.(e) Residency- Unless otherwise allowed by law, regulation, ordinance, orby this charter, all members of multiple member bodies shall be residents ofthe city at all times during their term of office. I f a member of a multiple

_member body removes from the city during the term for which appointed,such seat shall immediately be deemed vacant and filled in the mannerprovided for in section 3-3.SECTION 10-8: NUMBER AND GENDERWords importing the singular number may extend and be applied to several

Jpersons or things; words importing the plural number may include thesingular.SECTION 10-9: REFERENCES TO GENERAL LAWSAll references to General Laws contained in the charter refer to the GeneralLaws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are intended to refer toand to include any amendments or revisions to such chapters or sections orto the corresponding chapters and sections of any rearrangement, revisionor recodification of such statutes enacted or adopted subsequent to theadoption of this charter.

38


39/47


SECTION 10-10: CO.MPUTATION OFTIMEIn computing time under this charter the day of the act or event after whichthe designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last

' Iday of the period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legalholiday, in which event the period shalr5e extenaea-eotne n-ext-d-aywhtch- is ,- -not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. When the period of time designatedis less than 7 days, interm!ediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shallnot be included, when the p ~ r i o d is 7 days or more, Saturdays. Sundays andlegal holidays shall be counted.SECTION 10-11: OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OFMAYOR, CITY COUNCIL SCHOOL COMMITTEE, CITY CLERKA mayor-elect (as applicable), the city council members-elect, the school' ! icommittee members-elect, and all other elected officials shall, on the firstMonday in the January of each even-numbered year, except when said firstMonday falls on a legal holiday, in which event on the following day, meetand take an oath or affirmation to the faithful discharge of their duties bythe city clerk. The city clerk shall first be take the oath or affirmation to thedischarge of the duties of the office by a judge of a court of record, or by ajustice of the peace. Upon receiving the oath of affirmation, each said officialshall document the same by entering his or her name in a journalmaintained by the city clerk. In the case of the absence of the mayor-elector any member-elect of the city council or school committee on the day theoath is administered, the oath or affirmation may at any time thereafter beadministered to that person by the city clerk, the assistant city clerk, a judgeof a court of record, or by a justice of the peace. Additional inauguralprocedures may be prescribed by ordinance.SECTION 10-12: CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION OR APPOINTMENTEvery person who is elected, including those elected by the city council, orappointed to an office of the city, shall receive a certificate of such election

39


40/47


.... or appointment from t h ~ city_ clerk. f:)(cept as otherwise provided by law,every person who is elected, including those elected by the city council, orappointed to an office of the city, before performing any act under this

I . Iappointment or election, shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation toqualify to enter upon the duties. A record of this oath shalloe Kept by tnecity clerk.SECTION 10-13: LIMITATION ON OFFICE HOLDINGUnless otherwise allowed by law or this charter, no person shallsimultaneously hold more than 1 city office or position of employment. Thisprovision may be waived by the mayor upon the appointment of any personto any additional office or position of employment by filing a notice of suchwaiver with an expla;nation and justification with the city clerk.!SECTION 10-14: FElONY CONVICTIONAny elected official who has been convicted of a state or federal felony whileholding office shall be deemed to have vacated said office.SECTION 10-15: ENFORCEMENT OF CHARTER PROVISIONSI t shall be the duty of the mayor to see that the charter is faithfully followedand complied with by all city agencies and city employees. Whenever itappears to the mayor that any city agency or city employee is failing tofollow any provision of this charter the mayor shall, in writing, cause noticeto be given to that agency or employee directing compliance with thecharter. If it shall appear to the city council that the mayor personally is notfollowing the provisions of the charter it shall, by resolution, direct theattention of the mayor to those areas in which it believes there is a failure tocomply with charter provisions. The procedures made available in chapter231A of the General Laws may be used to determine the rights, duties,status or other legal relations arising under this charter, incruding anyquestion of construCtion or validity which may be involved in suchd e t ~ r m i n a t i o n .

40


41/47

As Amended in City Council March 1, 2012- - - - . - - - - - - - - ~ - - - ~ - - - ~ - - - ~ - ~ ~ - - - ~

ARTICLE 11TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 11-1: CONTINUATION OF EXISTING LAWS, ,All general laws, special laws, city ordinances, and rules and regulations ofor pertaining to Northampton, including special acts creatmg reg-i-on-crl-e-ntiti-e::;c---and arrangements of which the city is a member, that are in force when thischarter takes effect, and nqt specifically or by implication repealed by thischarter, shall continue in full force and effect until amended or repealed, orrescinded by law, or until they expire by their own limitation. In any case inwhich the provisions of this charter are found to be inconsistent with theprovisions of any general or special law that would otherwise be applicable,the provisions ;of this charter shall be deemed to prevail. E0ery inconsistency. i ibetween the prior law and this charter shall be decided in favor of thischarter.SECTION 11-2: CONTINUATION OF GOVERNMENT ANDADMINISTRATIONAll city agencies shall continue to perform their duties until re-elected,reappointed, or until successors to their respective positions are dulyappointed or elected, or until their duties have been transferred andassumed by another city agency.SECTION 11-3: TRANSFER OF RECORDS AND PROPERTYAll-records, property and equipment whatsoever of any city agency, or partthereof, the powers and duties of which are assigned in whole or in part toanother city agency, shall be transferred immediately to that agency.SECTION 11-4: EFFECT ON OBLIGATIONS, TAXES, ETC.All official bonds, recognizances, obligations, contracts, and otherinstruments entered into or executed by or to the city before the adoption ofthis charter, and all taxes, assessments, fines, penalties, forfeitures,incurred or imposed, due or owing to the city, shall be enforced and

41


42/47


collected, and all writs, prosecutions, actions and causes of action, except asotherwise provided in this charter, shall continue without abatement andremain unaffected by the charter; and no legal act done by or in favor of the

' 'city shall be rendered invalid by reason of the adoption of this charter.SECTION 11-5: DlS-P-OSIT!ON-oF-CERTAIN-SPECl"ALt-AWS;--- - - -( a) ;CettC}IQ : $ i J ' ~ ~ j ~ J . b 2 l \ ' Y S R : ~ c : 9 g l ] i ; l ~ a ~ l l q R ~ t 2 l i ( l ~ d ::;: T b ~ . J g l l o y y J n 9 ? P i ~ i ~ r : ~ < : : t ? .. C } r ~ b ~ r ~ I : J y r e t e : 1 i p ~ ~ . ; c 6 a _ p t ~ r 2 9 $ ... 9 f t b ~ . A c : t ? . Q f J j } 4 . a . 1 J d Chapter ~ $ 8 .

~ Q f . t h . ~ A.t?.qf l9ZZ . [ ~ ( ~ } i y ~ I 9 ' m . t A o } ~ } P 2 l L I : J g q n < ; J a , r i ~ ~ : ; ~ b . ~ . P t ~ r : 4 ~ 0 . 9 J t 6 ~ ) \ . Q t ~ . Q : t ~ O P 9 r ~ I ? J . t i Y ~ J 9 . t h ~ c:qmmunitY . P r ~ ? ~ I Y S J . t i g n _ g p m m i t t ~ M ~ ; ..a , , p t ~ r . ~ . ~ ~ - 5 9 1 : ~ 6 ~ ' . ! \ C : t s 9 t 1 . $ ~ 7 - ~ S . t ~ 6 f i s h i h 9 T h ~ - i \ J : 9 r t : i l i r T 1 P t o r C J n d u s t F i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ T t : v l p ~ . Y ~ . 1 , 9 R m