An update to the Somerville city charter has finally been agreed upon and awaits approval at the state level. — Photo courtesy of City of Somerville

City charters serve as a city’s local constitution, and after an intensive community process and collaborative work by the Ballantyne administration and the City Council, Somerville’s charter is getting a significant update. The new charter now includes greater transparency, more opportunity for public engagement, important resources for the City Council, and a pathway to ranked choice voting, as well as other modernizations, like officially recognizing women as voters. 

The new charter language was approved by a Council vote on charter legislation on Monday, May 5, and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is signing in full support. The new and improved charter will now be sent to the State Legislature as a Home Rule Petition for review and approval. 

The majority of changes are the direct outcome of recommendations by the Charter Review Committee, composed of residents and elected officials. The Council and City then worked to transform those proposals into new Charter language. Key updates include modernization of procedures and language, the right of the Council to hire Council staff and advisory legal counsel, and designated opportunities for community input on the City budget and capital investment planning that promote inclusive leadership. 

The charter also puts two provisions into the hands of the community. Voters will now decide one key committee recommendation at the ballot box: an extension of the 2-year Mayoral term to 4 years. If passed, this would go into effect no earlier than the 2028 term. The Charter also states that a committee will be created to develop a plan to implement ranked choice voting, which allows voters to rank multiple candidates rather than vote for only one. 

“With these reforms, we are delivering on key priorities for Somerville. We are increasing transparency, strengthening democracy, supporting the City Council in their work, and ensuring that our charter reflects the values of justice and equity that define our community. It also builds in a key priority of mine, which is inclusive leadership that supports our community members helping to shape our future,” said Mayor Ballantyne.

“I want to thank the Charter Review Committee for their diligent work, recognize Councilor McLaughlin for championing this effort throughout, and thank the Council for collaborating with my administration to finally deliver on this decades-long goal,” added Ballantyne. “From start to finish, this process has prioritized community voices and a shared vision for Somerville’s future, and we can all be proud of that.”

“We have a 21st-century government operating under a 19th-century charter that doesn’t even acknowledge women voters. But this revised charter now reflects the times we live in and gives us a modern framework,” said Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin.

“This was a deeply democratic and inclusive process involving residents volunteering extensively and gathering input from thousands to draft this charter,” added McLaughlin. “After months of City Council deliberation and negotiations with two mayors, we’ve reached this point with overwhelming Council and Mayoral support to send it to the State House. 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. Ultimately, this approved charter is light years better.”

Key changes in the updated charter include:

Preamble and Values: A new preamble explicitly states the charter’s guiding values, such as justice, empowerment, ethical leadership, and equitable opportunity. 

City Council Procedures: More detailed procedures for City Council operations enhance transparency and access to information.   

Mayoral and Council Powers Regarding Appointments: The charter codifies the mayor’s role to appoint and the City Council’s role to confirm appointments.   

Financial Transparency and Inclusion: A more structured budget process includes requirements for community input opportunities, public access to budget information, and a public hearing on and Council approval of the city’s Capital Investment Plan.   

Expanded Council Provisions: Permits the City Council to hire its own advisory legal Counsel and also to hire Council staff. 

Bringing an 1899 charter into the 21st century

The city’s charter was initially established in 1871, the same year Somerville was incorporated as a city. Since a more substantial update in 1899, it has undergone only targeted revisions. More recently, charter review was launched in 2008. A 2018 City Council initiative modernized the name “Board of Aldermen” to “City Council.” In 2019, then Councilor Ballantyne initiated an update to shift oversight of the Committee Clerks from the Administration to the City Council to streamline management and improve workflows. In 2021, then Councilor Ballantyne also led the Council in submitting a special act to amend the charter to use gender-neutral language.   

Full charter review began in 2020, when former Mayor Joe Curtatone and then City Council President Matt McLaughlin (now Ward 1 Councilor) jointly launched the latest comprehensive review. The Charter Review Committee, established as a result, met for 16 months and issued a range of recommendations in August 2022. The Ballantyne Administration and City Council then worked collaboratively to update the charter and ensure it met legal standards. The Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston provided critical expertise and support. 

To view the charter language and more information, visit somervillema.gov/charterreview.