By Dan Moffett
Besides filling two commission seats in the March 12 municipal election, Ocean Ridge voters will have to decide the fate of four proposed amendments to the town’s charter, the document that dictates government rules and procedures.
Probably the most contentious proposal contains a provision that imposes term limits on commissioners. If it’s approved, a commissioner would be restricted to three consecutive three-year terms, and then be required to sit out a year before running for the commission again.
Another proposed amendment governs the power of the town manager. The manager would have the authority to hire and fire employees without commission approval — except for the police chief position, over which commissioners would retain control. The proposal also removes the requirement that suspended police officers receive hearings.
The rules for selecting a mayor and vice mayor and filling commission vacancies under certain circumstances are addressed in another proposal. The amendment would also require a minimum 12 hours’ notice for special meetings.
A fourth amendment deals with housekeeping issues throughout the charter, cleaning up spelling errors and removing language that is no longer relevant.
The proposals are the result of months of deliberation last year by the town’s charter review committee, chaired by former Commissioner Zoanne Hennigan. Other committee members were former Mayors Geoff Pugh and Ken Kaleel, former Commissioner Terry Brown and Polly Joa.
Official Ballot Language
Town of Ocean Ridge
Charter Amendment Questions
QUESTION 1: Shall Ocean Ridge amend its Charter to address various housekeeping and administrative issues relating to qualifying periods, forfeiture of office, commencement date of Commission terms, date of Election, qualification of electors, form of ballots and correcting spelling errors?
QUESTION 2: Shall Ocean Ridge amend its Charter to clarify Town Managers are not required to be residents; modify the votes required to appoint, remove or compensate Town Managers; provide the Town Manager with authority to hire and remove employees, without confirmation or appeal by or to the Commission, but requiring Commission approval for termination of the Police Chief, and delete the requirement that a suspended Police employee is entitled to a Town Manager hearing
QUESTION 3: Shall Ocean Ridge amend its Charter to modify the selection of Mayor and Vice-Mayor; to modify Commission vacancies, forfeiture of office, the filling of vacancies and to add a provision on suspension from office; to increase Special Meeting minimum notice requirements; and to provide that three affirmative votes, by the Commission, are required for any approval?
QUESTION 4: Shall Ocean Ridge amend its Charter to provide that a Commissioner may not serve more than three consecutive terms, of three years each, unless there is, at a minimum, a period of one year at the end of a term in which the person does not serve as a Commissioner?
Comments