Statute relating to authorizing and setting up a procedure for amending municipal charters

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE The following document is provided by the LAW AND LEGISLATIVE DIGITAL LIBRARY at the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library http://legislature.maine.gov/lawlib Reproduced from scanned originals with text recognition applied (searchable text may contain some errors and/or omissions) Reen.A.RD S. GoHE)j ATTORNEY GENERAL STA.TE Oli' MAINE D1':P.AHTMENT 01•' THE JU'TOR.NEY GENEHA.L AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333 The Honorable Patrick E. Paradis Stata Representative 18 Laurel Street Augusta, Maine 04330 Dear Representative Paradis: July 17, 1979 STEPHEN L. DJ.t\.MOND · JOHN s. GLEASON 7 r-1 3 7 JOHN M.R.P,\TERSON Ho1:crnHT ,.T. S-roLT DEPUTY AT!ORNEYS GENERAi. You have orally requested an opinion from this office re- garding the statute authorizing, and setting up a procedure for, amendments to municipal charters, 30 M.R.S.A. sections 1912 et seq. We respond to your specific question as follows: 1. You have asked whether tho contents of the documents which you submitted to us are a part of the Maine Statutes. They are. (A copy of the documents which you submitted are, as labelled, copies of 30 M.R.S.A. section 1914, subsections (2) and (3); 30 M.R.S.A. section 1912, subsections (3) and (4); section 1914, subsection (4); 30 M.R.S.A. section 1915, introduction a~d subsection (2), subsection (3) (B) and subsection (4), introduction and subparagraph (B); and 30 M.R.S.A. section 1916. As regards the submitted copies of sections 1914 and 1916, the struck out portions in these copies are part of the actual. statute. (We attach hereto as Exhibit D copies of the statutory provisions cited above in their entirety). 2. You have asked our opinion on the question of whether these sections "take prE:~cedence over any local ordinances or local charter provisions." While the question is not entirely free from doubt, our opinion is that the statutory provisions which spell out a proceq.ure for the adoption, revision or amend- ment of municipal charters would control over ordinances or charter provisions in the same area. This position is based on the well- settled principle that a municipality is a creature of the Legislature and is endowed with only such powers as the Legisla- ture_ gives it. ~' State v. Rand, 366 A.2d 183 (Me. 1976); Squires v. City bf Augusta, 155 Me. 151 (1959); see also, Maine Constitution, Art. VIII, Pt. 2, section 1. -- --·- The Honorable Patrick E. Paradis Page Two July 17, 1979 3. You have asked whether the constitutionality of the submitted section has been tested in the courts, and the answer to this question is no. 4. The last answer renders an answer to your fourth question inapplicable. I trust the above is responsive to your concerns. Please feel free to contact this office if you have further questions. RSC:ks. Sincerely yours, RICHARDS. COHEN Attorney General Exhibit A A.MENDMENTS, PROCEDURE 4 2. Alternative method, initiative. On the written petition o! a 3. voters equal to at least 20% of the number of votes cast in a municipal at the last g~bernatorial election, but in no case less than 10, the municipal officers shall by order provide that proposed amendments to the municipal charter be placed on a ballot in accordance with tho ,. proc~dures set out below. A. Each .:imendment shall be limited to a single subject, but more than one section of the charter may be arn~nded as long as it is germ~ne to th~t 3ubjc...:t. B. Alternative statements of a single amendment ilre prohibited. Petition procedure. The petition forms shall c~rry the fol~9-wing leye~ in bold ltJttoring ilt the top of c.:ich form on the face thorcof. :!unici?alitj' of .................... . "Bach of the undersigned voters respectf'ully requests the municipal officers to ;.rovidc for the amendment of the municipal churter ns set out be lo•,•;." No more t~an one subject may be included in a patition. In all oth~r respects the form, content and proccd~=us govcrnin0 mncndment petitions shall be the same as provided :or ch,:u:tcr revision and a~option petitions under section 1912, including proc8~uroa rolatin to filino, sufficiency and amendments. 1912. PETITION PR0CEDURE. 3. ?~~!tio~_eroccdure. The following procedure sh~ll bo used in the alternative mctho~ sot out in subsection 2. (Seo above) A. ~ .;, \ .. ,, Any 2 veter~ of the municipality may !ilc with ~he municip~l clar% an affiduv!l:s-tatir.9 they will constitute the pot1ti0n,.::rs' committe:e, 'i. state the names and addresses of the members and specify the address to which all notices~~ committee are to be sent. The petitioners• committee may designate additional voters of the municipality, who are not members of the committee, to circulate the petition. Promptly after the affidavit is filed, the clerk shall issue petition . . . blanks to ~he committee. a. The petition forms shall be printed on paper of uniform size and m~y consist of as ,mjny individual sheets as are reasonably necessary. Petition forms shall be prepared by the municipal clerk at the expense of the municipality. (1) Petition forms shall carry the following ~egcnd in bold lettering ut the top o: each form on the face thereof. (Seo 1914 - 3) Each signature affixed to a petition shall be in ink or othe~•indclible instru~cnt and shall be followed by the place of residence of tho voter with street and number. if any. No petition shall contain any party or political ddsignation. The clerk shall note the date o! each potitio~ forrn issued and all p~titions, unless sooner filed, shall become null and void for every purr,ose on the 120th day after~~ of issue. (3) Each petition fer~ shall have printed on its back an affidavit co be executed by the circulator, stating that he personally circulatad the paper, the number of signatures thereon, that all tho signatures were affixed tn his prc;;sence, that he believes them to be genuine signatures of the persons whose names they purport to be, that each signer has signed no more than one petition, and that each signer had an opportunity before signing to read the petition. ( 4) Petition forms shall be assembled as one instrumont and fil<~d ..1t ~ ti:ne with~ clerk. filing. The cleik shall note thereon the date of Procedure after filinq. Within~ dQys after the petition is f~led, the clerk shall complete a certificate as to its sufficiency, specifying, if it is insufficient, the particulars wherein it is'defective, shall promptly send a copy of the certificate to the petitioners• committee by mail, and shall file a copy with the municipal officers. A. A petition cor~ificd insufficient for lack of tho required number of valid signatures may be amended once, if the petitioners' committee files a notice of intention to amend it with the clerk within 2 days after rcceivins ~ coey £!~certificate. Within 10 days after the~ of filing 2!, ~notice~ intention, the cor.~ittoe ~ay file a supplementary petition to correct the deficiencies in the original petiiion. Such supplementary ?etition shall in form and content comply with the requirements for an or~ginal petition under subsection 3. ..,.. D. \-Jithin 5 days after ,the filing of a supplementary petition, the clerk .. ' sh~ll complete and file a certificate as to its sufficiency in the manner rrovitlcd for an original petition. c. When a~ •~riainal or supplementary oetition has been certified insufficient, tho committee may, ¼'ithin 2 d.;1ys .:iftor receiving tho <.:O?Y of tho cler~•s certificate, tile a request with the ~unicipal officer~ :or review. The munici?ul officers shall inspect the ~etitions in substantially the same form, manner and time as a recount hearing under section 2064 and shall make due certificate thereof, copies of which shall be filed 0th the municiµal clerk and mailed to the committee. 'I'hc ccrtific.:itc '.J\ of the municipal officers shall be a final determination of the i sufficiency of the petitions. --D. Any petitions finally determined to be insufficient ~hall become null and void and of no further force or effect. such petitions shall bu stamped void by the clerk and shall be scaled and retained b7 tho clerk in the manner required for secret ballots. l.914. 4. Action on petition. A. Within !.Q. d.:i.ys of recciipt of a report that 2, eetition is sufficient, the municipal officers shall by order provide for~ public hearing 2!:_ the proposed amendment. The notice of the hearing shall !?.s, publiGhcd in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality at least .. .. . 2 days prior~~ hearin2, and shall contain. the text of the proposed . ,. C mendment and a brief explanation. The hearing shall bo conducted by the municipal officers or a committee appointed by them. B. Within l davs after oublic hearing, the municipal officers or the / committee appointed but them shall file wit!i the municipal clork a report ,. ___ / ffcontaininCJ th~ final draft of the propose<:! amendment and a written opini< l by an attorney aclmitted to the bar of this State that the proposed .,.,. ~ ~rncndment is not in conflict with the gene~al laws or tho Constitution. t .. ' In the case of a committee report, a copy shall be filed with the ~unicipal officers. c. On all petitions filed more than 120 days prior to the end of the current municipal year, the municipal officers sh~ll order thQ proposed amendment to be submitted to the voters at the noxt regular or spcciul municipal election held within said yoar a:tor the filing of the final rcpor~. If there is no such election to be held before the end of the current municipal year, the municipal officers shall oruor a special election to bo held before the encl of the current municipul year for the purposes o·f voting on' the proposed amendment. Unrelated ch.:>.rtcr amendments shall be submitted to the vcters as separate questions. Where the municipal officers, with the advice of an attorney, determine that it is not practical to print the proposed amendment on the ballot and that a summary would not misrepresent tho subject matter of the proposed amendment, the municipal officers shall include in the order ~ summ4 ry of the proposed ~mondmenc ~nd in~truction to tho clerk to .include on the ballot the summary in lieu of the text of the proposed .::unendment. IJ "" SUBMISSION TO VOTERS The method of voting at municipal elections when·a question relating to a aRa~~e~ ~evisian, 4 eha~te~ adoption or~ charter amcndm~ is involvE:·d shall be. in the manner prescribed for m~~icipal · elections undor sections 2061 to 20G5, even though the municipality has not acc~?ted tho provisions of section 2061 • . Charter amendment. In chc c~se of~ charter amendment the question to be submitted to • I the voters shall be in substance as follows:. 11Shall the municipality approve the charter amendmer.t reprinted ·-•· (SU..'";1.":larized) below?" - Voter I:, format ion .. ' n. In the case of a churter amendment,~ least 2 weeks prior!£ the d.:-ite o: .. he election tho municipal of ficcr:3 shall c.:iu::.c tho propo,,cd ame:-:dr:1ent ar.~ nn·: sura.-:1ary thereof to be printed, sh.:ill i~-:ikc copies __._ ----- ---- - - - ava:lablo to the voters in the clerk's of=ice and shull post the a:id anv summary thereof in the s.:imc manner ~hat oronosed - - ------ ---- ~. _ __.. __ _ o:.-dinancos .:ire posted. £f fr::ct i ve Dc:ite If a majority of the ballots cast on any question under subsections ~ or 2 favor acceptance, the new ehorte~, eho~ter rev±~~en or charto~ 'amendment becomes effective as provided below, provided the total number I I of votes Cfist for and against the question equals or exceeds 30% of the ' total votes cast in the municipality at the next previous gubornatorial ' '1 ' \·.election. '• \ B. Charter amendments adopted by the voters shall become effective on the first day of the next zuccceding rnunic~p~l ye.:ir or on a date · dotermined by the municipal officers, whichever occurs first • . 916. RECORDING Within 3 days after the results of the election have been declared. the municipal clerk shall prepare and sign triplicate certificates setting forth any charter that ha3 been adopted or revioed and any charter amendment approved. One cer~ificate shall be recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, one certificate shall be deposited ,. ' in the Law and Legislative Reference Library an~ one certificate shall . be deposited in the office of the municipal clerk. Exhibit B 30 § 1912 MUNI CU> ALl'l'lES 3, J.-ol.iti.on p,·occduro, The following p1.•occdu1.·e ::.hall l>o U!:icd in the alternative method set out in :mbscction 2. A, Any 5 votel·s of the municipality may file with the mu- nicipal clc1·k an affidavit stating they will conslitutc the pc• llllono1:s' committee, cfrculate the petition and !'ilo il in prope1• form, The affidavit shall state the names and ad• d1·essos of the members and specify the address to which all notices to tho committee arc to bo sent. · The petitioners' committee may designate additional voto1.·i:. of the municipality, who are not members of tho committee, to cil'culuto the petition. P1·om1)Uy u.l'tci.· the u.l'J:i<J.avit. ii:. .med, tho cle1·1, .\ihuU. i~uo pe- tition blanks to the committee. R. 'l'hc petition fomu. :.;hull be pl'inled on papci.· of unifo1•1n :;i:le un<l may consist. or as muny imliviuual :.;hcut.s a:.; u1·c rea.\)onably neccssai•y, Pctit~on forms shall bo prepai.·cd L>y the municipal clo:a.•k at the expense of the municipality; (1) Petition £ornu. shall ca:a.•1-y tho following legend in bold let.te1•ing at the top of each f 01·n1. on tho face there- of. Municipality o.C ................... . "Each of the: undor:.;ii;ned vote1·s roi:;pcct.fuU/ rcquo::;t.s tho municipal officc:a.·s to ci:;tablish a Chal·te1· Commi:.;- i:;ion fo:a.• the purpose of revising the Municipal Cha1·te1· 01· p1·cpa1·ing a New Municipal Cha1·tc.1.•," Each :,;ignatu.1.·e affixed to a l)Ctition bhaU l>o in inl, 01• other indelible instrument and shall bo followed by the place of 1•c::;i<.loncc of the voto1· wiU1. ::;t1·cct. ancl numoo1·, if any, No petition shall contain any pal'ly 01· 1,ulitical designation. (2) '.L'hc clel'lt ::.ball note the dut.c of each pclilion £01•m l::;sued and all petition:.;, unlo:.;s soone.1.· filed, ~hall bo- como null and void for every pu1•po::;c on the 120th day afto1· the dato of issue. (3) Each petition fo.1.·m shall have p.l.'intod on. it.s back an affidavit to bo cxocut<.'<.l by tho circulato.1.·, slating that he personally cb:culatcd the papel', the numbm• or ::;ignatw·ci:. thel·eon, that all the siE'natu1·os wc1·e affixed in hiJJ p:a.·esoncc, that he believes them to bo genuine sig- . l.aturcs of the pei·soru. who:;c name::; they pw•po1·t to l>e, that each signer has l>igncd no mo1·0 U1an one pctlUon, 32 ' ,. I I . ' \.• i. 1 • ' '. i I' I.. ·,, ; I , :· 1 . ,•. ( I• . I /, [:• I ,, :, ' f':. r: ... ', ' . Ch. :.Wl-A ( l :; •l, 1•1 lion ii:; !ik ciuncy, sp is defccth pulilioncr: municipal J\. J nunil lition Wilh COl'lil With tcnlil COl'l'l! plum, the 1 ll, , lion, l-iUffi• ' • 1 ''• Cl.'l'li l~l' I'\' Willi The liall,1 u11d1 \'III II I lnil ii 11ffw 11 I~! I u. l)l.'L'\i :-;Ill' I IJL' :.. l'vr .' ~t'ti':Tly l'<'<lll('.S(.s u:-!rr Commis- tf(";p.1l Chat·lcl' 1 h• in ink or Uow<.'d by the illHl numbcl', y n,• political x•tilion form •d, .shall be- <' 120th clny on its back 101·, .slating 1111mbel' of ·cr·c affixed ·cnuine sig- ·port to be, JC petition, 1,:, l. Ch. 201-A HOME RULE 30 § 1912 and that each signor had nn opportunity bcfotc signing to read the petition. (4) Petition forms sha~l be asscmLlcd as one instru- ment and filed nt one time with the clerk. 'fhc clcl'lc shall note thereon tho date of filing. 4. Procc<luro after filinA'. Within 20 dnys nftcr th0 peti- tion is filed, the clerk shall complete n cm•tificate ns to its suffi- ciency, specifying, if it is insufficient, the particulm·s whe1·cin it. is defective, shall promptly send a copy of the certificate to the petitioners• committee by mail, and shall file n copy with the municlpnl otficers. A. A petition certified insufficient fo1• lack of the 1·cquil'ml number of valid sig-nnturos mny be nmenclccl one~, if tho 1w- tit.loners' committee files· a notice of intention to amcml it with the clerk within 2 days after receiving the copy of his certificate. Within 10 days aftc1· the date of filing of the notice of in- tention, tho committee may file a supplementary petition to correct the deficiencies in the 01·iginal petition. 8uch sup- plementary petition shall in fo1•m ancl content comply with thc requirements for an original petition under sul>seclion 3. n. Within 5 dnys nftcr the !ilin1:{ of a supplementury peli• tion, the clerk shall complete and file a certificate ns to its sufficiency Jn the manner provided for an ori1dnnl petition. C. Whcn nn original or supplementni·y petition hns L>cen certified insufficient, the committee may, within 2 days aft. er receiving tho copy or tho clot·k's co1•tificatc, flle n request. with the municipal offlccl's for i·cview, The municipal ofCice1·s shall inspect the petitions in substnn• tially the same form, manner and time as n recount hcu1·in1{ under section 2064 and shall make duo certificat<i t.heroof, copies of which shnll be filed with the municipal clel'lc and mailed to the committee. The certificate of the municipal officers shall be a final determination of the sufficiency of the petitions, ]), Any petitions finally determined to be insufficient shall become null and void and of no further force or effect. Such petitions shall be stamped void by the clerk and shall be scaled and retained by the clerk in the manner required for secret ballots. 33 30 s 1914 MUN ICU> ALl'i'lBS '!'itlo 30 dei· the pi·oposed amendment to be placed on a ballot at the next regula1· rnunicipal election held not less than 30 days after the order is passed; 01· they may 01·der u special election to be held not less than 30 days from the dale of the order fol' the purpose of voting on the p1·opo::;ecl amendments. A. Bach amcn<.lrncnt :.hall uc !irnitc<.l to a single :.uujecl, but mo1·c than one ::;cction of the charte1• may be amended as long as it is germane to that £Ubject. ll. Alternative st.atcmonts of a ::.inglo amendment a1·c pro• hibitod. i. Altorm~iivo motbod, initiu.tivo. On the written petition of a uurnuc1• ol' volors equal to al lci.lsL ~O'iu of lhc numuo1· or vot<.ls cast in a rnunicipality at. the last b'Ubo1·nato1'ial election, bul in no case less than 10, the municipal office1·:c. shall by ordei· p1·0- viuo that prnposcd amendments to Ow municipal chtu•Lcr be placed on a IJullot in acco1·dancc with the procc<.lui·cs sot oul uo- low. A. Each amendment shall be limited to a single subject, but moro than ono section of tho cha1·te1• may be amondc<l as long as it is ge1·manc to that subject. ll. Alternative statements of a single amendment arc p1•0- hibitcd, . 3. J.>oW,ion proccuu.ro. 'l'hc petition f<.mns shall ca1·1·y the following legend in bold lcttc1·ing at the iop or each form on ihc foco thereof. Municivality of "Each of the undersigned voter:,; i•c:;;pcctfully 1•oqucsls tho municipal office l's to 1wovidc f 01· tho amendment of the munici- pul chu1·Lc1• u:;; sut out. uclow.'' No moi·c than one l)Ubjcct may be included in a l)Ctition. In all other rc::;pects the fo1•m, content an<l ru·occdul'c~ ~ovo1·ning ,uuon<.lmont peLiLions shall uo the si.lmc as IH'OVi<.lc,: Co1· cha1·lm· revision and adoption petition::; unclc1· scclion 101'..:!, including 1wocedurcs relating to filing, ::.ufficiency and amendments. 11. .l\cUun on lK>iitiou. A. Wit.hln 10 days of i·cccipt of u report that a poliliou. is :.ufficicnt, the municipal officen, shall by order prnvide Co1· a public houl'ing on tlw pl·oposcd amendment. Tho notice of tho l'lcaring :.hall bu published in a nowi.pupor having gcnc1·- ~ cit•culation in the municipality at least 7 day::. prio1· to tho 38 / . Ch. : •' 1: \ ) 'i' /,. I , Ch. 201-A HOME RULE 30 § 1914 heal'ing, nnd shall contain the text of the proposed amend- ment and a brief explanation. The hearing shall be con- ducted by the municipal officers or a committee appointccl by them. n, Within 7 days after public hearing, the municipal offi- cc1·s or the committee appointed by them :-;hnll file with the municipal clerk a report containing the final draft 01' tho p1·oposc>cl nmt'n<lm<'nt nn<l n writh-n opinion by nn nt.tol'n<'Y admitted to the bar of this State that the proposed amend- ment is not in conflict with the general laws or tho Constitu- tion. In the co.so of a committee• report, a copy shall be filed with the municipal officers. C. On o.11 petitions riled mote thun 120 day:,; priol' to the end of the current municipal year, the municipal officon; shall order the proposed amendment to be submitted to the voters at the next regular or special municipal election held within said year after the filing or the final report. If there is no such election to be held before tho end of the current municipal year, the municipal officel's shall ol'<lel' a special election to bo hold before tho encl or the- cunont mu- nicipal year for tho pui·posci:i of voting on tho proposed amendment. Unrelated charter amendments shnll be sub- mitted to the voters as separate quostiorn,. Whe1-c tho municipal officers, with tho advice of an nttorney, <lotormlnc that it Is not prnctlcnl to print tho pl'Oposc<l nml'ndme11t on tho ballot and that a summary would not misrepresent t.hc subject mattc1· of tho proposed amendment, the municipal offi- cers shall include in the order a :.ummary or the proposed amendment and instruction to tho clel'k to includ(1 on tlw hnllol the summary ln lieu of the text of tho proposed nmenclmcnt. lOGU, C, GG3; 10'/1, c, auz, *~ l to 4, off. Mny 28, 1!>71; una, l', :l/)4; 107:l, c, 388, ~ l ; HIW, c, :\20, ~ G. Hlatorlol\l Noto 'l'h(l tlr11t 11111·11~rn11h or 11\lhlll'<'• 1, 1111 (lllllCtN\ hy l,ll\\'11 rnnn, "· r10:\, n•1icl: "I, Munlolpal offloors, 'l'hn 11111• nlclpnl ort1cer11 mny l.\l'tl'rmhw thnt 11111c111lnw11tw to t\rn m1111kl1111l <>h11rl1•1· 111•0 11ct~KK11ry 11111I, hy or1h•r, 11ro,·hhi lhnt. 1mf'h pro110K1-.1 11111P111l1111•11tw hi' 11111<.'l'II 1111 II hnllol nt lh1• 111•xt 1·1•1,:11\111' ll\lmlclp11I (•li.-ctloll hell\ not 11'~ th1111 Ull dny11 11ft<'I' w1wh onl<•r 111 1111w111-il." In the tlrwt 11arn~m11h or 11111111cc, 1, th1• 1071 Act ll\lhHtlt11u•d ":\O'' for "GO" 111111 11111\1•1\ "i 111• tlll'y 11111:V 111·111'1' 11 11111'<'1111 oh•cllon lo 111• 111'111 1\01. 11•1111 1111111 :Ill 1111~•11 from 1111' 1h1l1> of 1111• OI'• 1h•1• fot' tlll' Jllll'llll!'il' of \'1111111,( 1111 I ht• Jll'OIHIII('(\ llllll!IH\llll'lllll", Hahl 11111'11· ~1·1111h w1111 r1•111•11IPd 111111 r1•phw1•1I hy 1,1\WII 1117:1, t', :111,1 111111 I h1• 1117!'", A1•I 1111h11tlt11t1•1I "11ho11l1I h1• 1·011!>1hl1'1'1•1l" fol' "111·1• lll'l't'!-11<111',V" 111 I lit• rll'III !'<I'll• t\'11(,'(', 39 111 )ltll', A of x11hs1•<•11, 1 11111\ 2, 1 hi• lll71 111111mch1tory llt~l 1111h1<llt1111•1I ", h11t 11\(lrl' lhllll 0111' .. wcl \011 of I Ill' 30 § 1914 MUNlCll> ALl'l'ms Titll) 30 d1111·lc1· 111ay lie umenucu lit-I 10111,; llli it ill 1-(Cl'UIUllO to Umt i.ul>Jcct." .C01· ''lllUl• lCl'"• 111 1111ln,cc. a, the l1fll Act. &'llp1111h•1l u11u 1·c11l11cell the lhlnl 11c11tc11cc, which 111·10.- lluwclo l'l'III\: "No 1111>1'0 t.111111 UII\' wl11~ht 111·0110111•1I u1111•11u1111111l 11111,>' uo jlluceu OIi 1111>' IKJUl.1011," H11u11e1•l1011 >I, Ill, e1mcteu hf LILWII iuuo, c. riu:s, 1·oau; "4. Action on potltloo "A, Within au t.h1ytt or 1·ccci11t oC 11 l'l'lJOl't thut u pelltlou h, i.um- cicnt, tho lll\llllclpul 0££icc1·11 Hlmll uy oruo1· 1woviuo £01· u 1>ubllu hour• h1J.: 011 tho 111·0110>11•11 111111111111110111. 'l'h1• 1111Lli'o 111' U111 h1•11ri111( ,,;hull ht• ))OliLNI, UL ll'tU;L 7 1luyi; pl'lm· u, lho hcarlnt;, In tho 111\lllO WIiy that 01·111• llllliCCli 111'0 ll-Olltud, UIIU lihllll COIi· t11l11 tho text of tho 111-opoi.1•11 1111111111l1111•11L 11111I II l11•i1•f cx11l111111- Uo11, 'l'hc he1n-l11" tilmll UC COIi• uucteu uy tho 111nnlcl1ml orticc1·i. or a co111111lttL-u 111111ol11wd lly thom, 'l'ho lwal'lllJ.: IIIIIY 111• 1111jOUl'lll'd fro111 Limo to L11110 without Cu1·Lho1• 1::iUw. "B, Within 7 Otl)'li aftc1• thml ml• J•llll'llllll'llt or 1111• 11111,lh: l11mri11J.:, LIii! 111u11lcl1111I ofl'lcol'li Ill' lho COIII• rnltwo 1111110l11to<I lly thom Hhull flhi with tho munlchml cil!rk a 1·evo1·t cont11l11ln1,: tho tl1111l urnCt ot Uw 111·011ox(lU 11mm11hm111t 111ul II w1·1lt1111 u11l11lo11 hy 1111 11ll•11•111•y 1111&11IUt-.l lo thu.· l.1111• oC thlli l:;L11lo LhuL tho pro• 11on(!U 01·ul11n11co 111 not lu couCllct wllh Uw i;llnc1·11I law11 111· Uio Co11- i;lltuU011. lu the cm;o oC a co111111IL• tl•o 1·1•1101•t, 11 c1111y 1-1111111 bo (llc1l with tho 111u11lcl1111I otclcu1·11. "C, U1111u lho rn111i.: or lho final 1•1-. IHJl'l, Um 1111111lcl1111l ortlcl'l'K Hlmll Ol'UOI' tho Jll'OjlOlil'(I 111111'1111111\'IIL lo ho i.11lm1lttc<l to tho votm·i. 11t llll' llllX~ 1·u~ull11• o,· IIIH'Cilll 1111111id1111l olllCIIOII huld Ill 11.'lllil ao d11yi. nfllll' lhll Ciliul,( or tho fiunl 1·1•11111·1, 1111· l'lll11lcd d1111·tm· lllll\'lllhl11•11lH Khull ho xuumit11•ll to lhu voll.!l'H 111, 1il11111• l'ULC 11uc11Uo1111." 1{11hs1•1•1 l1111 •I WIIK 1•1•111•11l<'<I 111111 1·1•• 11l1101•1I hy thu .ltfl l 111111•111l11lu1·y 111•1, L11wi. 101a, c, :11:1o rl•1w1,1c11 11ml ,., •• )lla1c1•ll 11111', 0 of liUUKCC, •l, Which 111·101• U1c1·uto rnnd: "C, ,1111111 llw l'ili111: ul' 1111' l'i1111I 1•01101·t1 tho 1111111ld1111l 0'1'k••rt1 i.l11111 Ol'UOI' I.ho l)NJlOl:lCU UllllllldlllClll lo ho 11ullmlttlld to U10 vow1·>1 11t till' IIIJXI, 1·1,1,1111111• or lijll'Clul 1111111id1111I 1•llmtlu11 lwhl 11111. 11101·1• 1111111 liO dllYll utLol' Lh\l £11i11~ of 1111' tl1111I l'Cjllll't, lt U11•1•0 111 110 KIICh 1•h1l'lio11 lo l111 lll'hl within U111l l11111•, 1111' 1111111ld1111I 11(flcc1·i. t<linll 01·•h•1· 11 11pcd11I ~•lcul1011 Lu ho l11tlll Wllhl11 tl111I. l11110 fo1• tho )l\ll'lllllil! oC ,•0U11~ •HI lhO Jll'OIIOi.1/0 llllllllllillll'lll, lllll'U• 1111!111 1'11111•1ltr 111111•111l&111'IIIK 11h11II hu i.11h111ILll•1I lo 1.1111 \'lllltl'li 11>1 i.1•11111•1111• 11ue11Lh,1111-1," Library Rufllrunuui. ;\/.uul1;il1Ul (.;01·1101•uLl1,111w ~•lU. (.;,.J,::I. Mu11lcl1111I Co1•11111·11l11111i. ~ N{ ot ti1.-.1, 1915. Submwsion to vow1·s The method of voting at municipal election::; when u ques- tion relating to a cha11.e1· rcvil:;ion, a charlc1· adoption 01· a chm•- tcr umcndmont i::. involved shull be in tho munno1· 1wc::.cribcd fo1• rnunicipul elections undo1• sections 2061 to 2065, cvon thou~h the municipulily hai:. not ucco1>tcd the v1·ovision::. oC ::.cction ~Oul. 1. Cb.art-Or rovwiou or ado1)tion. ln the case or u chu1·lor revision 01· a charter adoption the question to be l:iubmittcd to the voters shall be in subsw.nc:o as follow::.: "::;';w.ll tho municipality avrwovo tho (chal'lo1· l'Cvision) (new ch.1.u•i..1;.l') recommended by the chut1.ci· commil>!>ion'!" 40 ' '" ' j,' r. . '· 11,'-'Hl i.t.inu..• .. ~ ,,r.at"-J r. '• \.,,4.";. ~ .. \ ;~~tt1 ) .;}-,,,. .. -~·~· ~-.-.- ... ·t,'"'") ~t.:.A ,._,' 't;~';.\~· ~· 1-.... ~:-X-:i'lf1·i'?/, ~")l\l'.>. ,>tJi I,,.,:•:. ~~~ ~t{✓.~~·h ◄\~i ~. 4~•.·,t?'.:r~··.•. t .. • j ~· ► .... ~ .... L"Y~1 t , -~;·::-r.~l11.1 •• • ,[;;;,-,..";i._ti/. rw~ :io ·v~f...{~•-~~::.t • 'Y ,-.,.;_..,1 ~ ;fi,\;,:i:,J~ :~ ,·,.11/lh•t .\'.t,t,+/:.-;--, t>r 111,• f 1011.- .1 .. ~ ..... ~,~t,..., tf ,t t ollllUif • /;li.1~,l'•\1'! 1., fill'd ~-~·:.c:~,~- .~/.,._,,1'•< t!,,• (111111 l'C•· ,.;.r;,;,,;,,1 ,.((,,•·I. Hli1tll ;\.j"\..'\,! i,':">11•111h11111tl IU ••·.,, '"h'I • Ill 111ft ,,., ' ,.;. • I.if 11111h h•lpu I " .. ,\• \·1~: ·•u 1111,\'N u(lt 11• .',.t,, (,,nl r,•1,ul'I, 1111, t ." 1 r,·1o,l11w111,: ,;hn 11 ; ... ,•.,. \111•••-- us M'IHI• .... ,4/.•• f• 111·.it.•11 HlHl l'P• :,4;J 10l1w11d1tlfll'f 111'1, > • r1•1"'1t1,,,1 11ml 1•,,. t.•( ,.,,,. .. ,.,.. ·I, \\'lil,•1& ·• • (,11111: u( 1111• (1!1111 ,,1•11'111 "'"''"''" Hh11II ,.,,,,! tlllll'lltillll'III. (o •• llo1• \'Ult'l'tt Ill lltt• ::·••1111 1111111lt 0lp11I )1111,r,• I h1111 tlO , .. 111i: u( 1111' rlunl ,, , .. 1111 "'"'" "''''"' 11111 lil11 111111 lhllP, IIIP ·••r, tthnll 111•d1•r 11 111 l11• lu•ltl wit hl11 II' IHll'jlflHI• O( I'll( ill).: 111111•11111111•111. I 1111·, .. 111•111h111•nlH xhnll 1..- • l'')ll•l'H IW HC'Jllll'll(ll s when a ques- )tion 01· a chn1·- . prcscl'ibcd fo1• vcn though the ion 20Gl. <;p of n <•hn 1·t 01· ul>millccl lo the l'evision) (new on'!" Ch, 201-A HOME RULE 30 § 1915 2. Charlor amondmont. In the case of n charter amend- ment the question to be submitted to the voters shall l>c in sul>- stunce as follows: "Shall the municipality approve the charter amendment re- printed (summal'i1.cc.l) below?" 3. Votor informn.tion. A. In the case of a charter revision or chnrlor adoption, al least 2 weeks prior to the date of the election the municipal officers shall cause the final report of the chartm· commis- sion to be printed, shall make copies available to the voters in the clerk's office and shall post the report in the same manner that proposed ordinances arc posted. n. In the case of a charter amendment, at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the election the municipal officers ~:hall cause the proposed amendment and any summary thm·cof to be printed, shnll make copies available to the voter.'> in the clerk's office and shall post the amendment and any sum- mary thereof in the same manner that proposed ordinances arc posted. 4. Effcctivo ,lo.to. If a majol'ity of the ballots cast on any question under subsections 1 or 2 favor ucceptnnce, the new charter, charter revision or charter amendment becomes effec- tive as provided below, provided the total number of voles ca:-;t. for and against the question equals or exceeds 30% of the tolnl votes cast in the municipality at the next previous gubernatorial election. A. Charter revisions or now charte1·s ndo[JLe<l by Uw vot- ers shall become effective immediately but only fol' the pm- pose or conducting necessary elections, olhm'\vise chnrt01· ni- visions and new charters become effective on the firnl tlay of the next succeeding municipal year. n. Charter amendments adopted by the voters shull be- come cCfcclivc on the first <.lay or the next HUC<:ectlinr{ mu- nicipal year or on a date determined by the municipal offi- cers, whichever occurs first. lOGO, c. 6G3; 1971, c, 644, § 104; 1073, c, 388, ~ 2, Hlatorlonl Noto Tho 1071 Act, In th<' tlr1-1t >1Nll<'ll<'1• of llllhllN!, "· 1111h11Ut111.A.•1\ "1-111hlll'<'tlo1ui" tor "1,mhxecLlon" nml l111101'tlJ<l "or :.!". 'I'he 101:.1 nmen<\fllory net n•111•11h•1I nnd repln<'C<I 1111r. H of >111bK1•e. •I, wblcb prior thereto rcud: 41 "D. Clrnrlcr IIIIINlllllll'lll>I 111l11pl- by the vot111·>1 11h11II hN•o1111• 1•ff Pt'· ti\'() 11111111•1\llltl•ly." 30 § 1915 MUNlCll> AL!'J.'IE::i '!'itlc JO Llurary Roforoncos § 1916. 1wco1·..iiu~ C.J.:::;, l\lu11lci1,ul Cor11ornU0111; Ii &I CL A;O(l, Within 3 days aftc1· tho 1·esults of the election have IJcen de- clared, the municipal cle1·k shall prepa1·e and .sign triplicate ce1·- tificute::. set.ting forth any cha1·tel' that ha::. l)een adopted 01• re- vi::.cd and any cha1·tc1· amendment upp1·oved. Ono certificate shall l>c recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, one cer- tificate shall be deposited in the Law and Legislative Refc1·once Lil)1•a1•y and one cc1•tificatc shall be deposited in the office of the municipal clerk. UlG!>, c. GG3; 1!)7l, c. 307; 1071, 1,:, 480, § 0; lU'/1, c. G22, § OG, eff. March 16, 1072. Hlatorloal Noto 'l'hia HlicU1111, 111, cuucwli l>y LlLWtl lUIJH, C, flU:I, l'OIUl: "All d1111·tc1· 1·uvhllo111-1, 110w ch111·• tm·w 111111 ch111•t1•r 1111111111l111v11lw Hh11II, wlthlu a Ull,i'll 11rtor tho l'Cl>\lllll or lhu 1•lc<.•Uo11 hH\'11 Ul'OII tluchu•otJ, ho {.'tll'll• Cic<I uy lhu clUl'I, Ullll II 1•111•U(lcu llOIIY thc1·co£ Coa·thwllh tlluu lu I.IIU otlh.>tt or tho :::icc1·ctury or l:Hnt.o, '\' <.'OJ•.>' uu- JJOHil1:li 111 tho Law l:lccLl011 or thu :.1111110 ::Haw 1,11.1,•aa·y, 1111u n co11y 1·0• 1•01·u1•u l11 U1u mu11lci11ul clua·k'N of• nee." J,IIWH ll>7J, C, :!07 l'CjlUllicU IIIIU l'I.)• J)IUC<.'U thh; i;ccUon, J,IIWH W7 l, (', •ll:IU, wll houL l'U1'1•1'• ,•uco lo lho ru1m11I 11111I 1·1•11l11c1•11w111. hy l,aWli lll71, I!, :1117, NUhHlilllll'1I "111111 l,1•~ii;l11tlvo Jt1•t1•1·1•11c11" fm• "H1•1!• Uou of U1u Muluu l:ILulu", L11Wli 107), c. 0:.l:.l 1·1.•pcalc1I llllli l'I!• plncou thlH •wct11111 lo 1•0111111lhl11111 tho oCCucw or L11w11 107J, cc, ;101 1111d •JHO. § 1917. Ordiua.uco,. 1>owor limited Any municipality may, by tho adoption, amcnumcnt 01• 1·e- poul or ordinances 01· bylaws, exercise any powc1· or function which the Lcgislatul'e has powe1.• to confer upon it, which is not denied either expressly or by clca1· implication, ancl exercise any power 01· function g1·antcd to the municipality by tho Constitu- tion, general law 01· cha1·tc1-♦ No change in tho composition, mode of election or terms of office of the legislative uody, the muyor 01• tho managc1· of any municipality may !Jc accomplishod by IJylaw or 01·dinance. 11.Hi~, c, oti:.S, Law Rovlow Cummonlarh111 Co11t1·11c~ :Gl,11111;;,:: l•'lcxllilo lwh• 11i1111u £u1• WvL1•ctlu~ 1111111kl11ul1Uu11, :.!-1 ,\luiuu L,l!•,w, :.W:.S (107:.!), 42 ,i .. '' : ,,. \. ~! I • '' :4,•,,·.· ·. •· ~ l~H l'I'!\' 1.;;1111 Iii ,1dvl•t.vn ~ HHS l. ,.,.,h•t 'f,: .,\; t ,:i.- ,, .'•' \ .. t,·c~ v( •.• ', ,,,\. f\ ,.: :,-i ..... i : 1.,'. ,• ',: l \,,#t ''·••) J, •• :, ' ,1,,·; 1,., :, l •. -.it , •. , ; . 'I •,;,.t .. '. ' . ' • I . '• .. ,., , I 'l',I ••••I•