The Westford Select Board is again proposing the voters enact a town charter. The proposed charter is substantially the same as that proposed at Town Meeting 2012.
The 2012 charter proposal was defeated by just nine votes, 262-253.The new proposal will be put to Westford voters at the next Town Meeting, in March 2014.
According to a notice on the Town of Westford website, the goal of the new charter proposal is the same as it was last time around:
Greater accountability for Town officials was the focus of the Town Charter. Major elements included changing some elected positions to appointed positions, and creating a voter recall provision for all elected provisions [sic]. The Selectboard feels these are still necessary changes that would address accountability and improve the Town's ability to fill important positions.
Specifically, the proposed charter would allow the selectboard to appoint the currently elected positions of town treasurer, lister or assessor, delinquent tax collector, and cemetery commissioner. If the need arises, the charter also allows for the appointment of a grand juror or a town agent.
In addition, the proposed charter would allow for the removal of elected town officers by a vote of the electorate. Such a vote would need to be called for by a petition signed by at least 15 percent of registered town voters.
The select board held an informational meeting on the proposed charter last week. It will be up for discussion again at the next board meeting on October 24.
