Somerville Makes Long-Awaited Updates To City Charter

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City Council voted in favor of making updates to the City Charter during its latest meeting.

The proposed updates were brought to the Council by the Charter Review Committee, which is a group of residents assembled to make the proper modernizations to the document.

According to Mayor Katjana Ballatyne, some of the most important changes include a more structured budget plan with more public access and input to the city’s finances, allowance of the city council to hire its own legal counsel and other council staff, and a solidification of the mayor’s role in making appointments and the council’s role in approving them.

The charter also added a provision that will allow voters to decide if mayoral terms should be extended from two years to four years. The question will appear on voting ballots later this year and, if passed, will not go into effect until 2028.

Ward One City Councilor Matt McLaughlin emphasized the importance of updating the charter, which was first established in 1871.

“This was a deeply democratic and inclusive process involving residents volunteering extensively and gathering input from thousands to draft this charter,” McLaughlin said. “It provides crucial improvements, from clear, modern language to addressing the balance of power between the Mayor and City Council in areas like the budget and appointments.”

McLaughlin was a driving force behind the charter review process, as he was the city council president in 2020 when the process began.

The charter will now be advanced to the State Legislature for approval.