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That the City Council go on record in favor of filing of the attached Home Rule Petition entitled: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO INCLUDE A BALLOT QUESTION ON THE NOVEMBER 2, 2021 MUNICIPAL BALLOT RELATIVE TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER
SECTION 1. The Charter of the City of Cambridge is hereby amended by special act to add the following
to the City’s existing Plan E Charter at General Laws Chapter 43, which was adopted pursuant to its
acceptance of the provisions of General Laws Chapter 43, Sections 93-116, Section 105 on
Appointments:
The City Manager shall refer to the City Council and simultaneously file with the Clerk the name of each
person the City Manager desires to appoint or reappoint as a member of a board or commission.
Appointment of a member of a board or commission made by the City Manager will be effective upon a
majority vote of the city council, which vote shall occur within 30 days after the date on which notice of
the proposed appointment was filed with the City Clerk. The appointment may be approved or rejected by
a majority of the full City Council before 30 days.
SECTION 2. The Charter of the City of Cambridge is hereby amended by a special act adding a new
Subsection 116 (a) to the City’s existing Plan E Charter, which was adopted pursuant to its acceptance of
the provisions of General Laws Chapter 43, Sections 93-116 on City Manager Review:
Annually the City Council shall prepare and deliver to the City Manager a written review of the City
Manager's performance in a manner provided by ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Charter of the City of Cambridge is hereby amended by a special act by a special act by
adding the following new Subsection 116 (b) to the City’s existing Plan E Charter, which was adopted
pursuant to its acceptance of the provisions of General Laws Chapter 43, Sections 93-116 on Charter
Review:
Not later than July 1, in each year ending in a 2, the City Council shall provide for a review to be made of
the city charter by a special committee to be established by ordinance. All members of the special committee
shall be voters of the city not holding elective office. The special committee shall file a report with the City
Council within 1 year of its appointment recommending any changes to the city charter which it deems
necessary or desirable, unless an extension is authorized by vote of the City Council. Action on any
proposed charter changes shall be as authorized by the Massachusetts constitution or general laws.
SECTION 4. This act shall be submitted to the voters of the City of Cambridge at the upcoming
municipal elections on November 2, 2021 in the form of the following questions which shall be placed
upon the official ballot to be used at said election. If the changes are approved by a majority of valid
ballots voting yes, they would go into effect as of January 1, 2022.
Should amendments to the City’s Plan E Charter, Section 105 of Chapter 43, be made, by special
act providing for the City Council to confirm appointments of the City Manager to the City’s
boards and commissions which confirmation is not currently required? YES___ NO ___
Should amendments to the City’s Plan E Charter be made by special act providing for the City
Council to establish a process for an annual review of the City Manager’s performance? YES___
NO __
Should amendments to the City’s Plan E Charter be made by special act providing for the City
Council to establish a process for review every 10 years to be made of the City’s Plan E Charter
by an appointed committee of voters per City Council Ordinance? YES___ NO __
Below said question shall appear a brief summary of the act prepared by the city solicitor.
If the voters at the municipal election approve the question, then this act shall be applicable to the city as
of January 1, 2022, but not otherwise.
SECTION 5. This act shall be effective upon its passage.
In City Council June 28, 2021.
Adopted by a yea and nay vote:-
Yeas 8; Nays 1; Absent 0.
Attest:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk
A true copy;
ATTEST:-
Anthony I. Wilson
City Clerk