Question 1 - City Charter

Shall the City adopt an act passed by the general court in the year 2025 entitled: An Act establishing a charter for the City of Medford? This question proposes acceptance of a special act passed by the State Legislature at the request of the City. Acceptance of this special act would replace in full the existing Medford City Charter, originally enacted in 1986, establishing the framework of Medford city government. The proposed charter would, among other things, increase the size of the City Council, the legislative body of the City, from 7 members elected at large for 2-year terms, to 11 members elected for 2-year terms, with 8 members elected by ward and 3 members elected at-large. The proposed charter would also increase the term of the Mayor, the City's chief executive officer, from 2 years to 4 years and limit service in that position to 4 consecutive elected terms, as well as allow the voters to remove the Mayor from office through a recall process. The proposed charter would change the composition of the School Committee, whose members include the Mayor and 6 members currently elected at large for 2-year terms, with 2 members elected at large and 4 members elected in 4 districts containing combined wards and include the Mayor as a member, but eliminate the requirement that the Mayor serve as School Committee Chair. The proposed charter also addresses the process for development and submittal to the City Council of a proposed annual budget and capital improvement plan, provides procedures for voter participation through group, initiative, and referendum petitions, and requires periodic review of the City ordinances and charter.