PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following almost two years of work, the Charter Review Committee has made its recommendations to the City Council.

Tuesday's council agenda includes the committee's report dealing with governance items such as the charter objection, term limits, and financial procedures. Every 10 years, a panel reviews the City Charter, which defines the city's structure of government.

"The Charter Review Committee was established by city ordinance in May 2023. Its first meeting took place on August 7, 2023, under the direction of City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta," Chair Michael McCarthy's executive summary reads.

"Solicitor Pagnotta informed the committee that its mission is to offer recommendations to city government concerning the Charter."

The charter objection was the most discussed issue throughout the preview process.  Members determined "the City's interest in a functioning government is not served well by a Charter' Objection being made by a sole Councilor."

The nearly 50-page report proposes amendments to Article 2 Section 9C, Charter Objection, to allow for discussion, require three supporters, and be prohibited when it pertains to the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

"The Committee felt strongly that the budgetary process should not be held hostage to a Charter Objection. The process of approving a budget under the Charter involves months of hearings with firm calendar restrictions, leading to a budget that must be in place before each fiscal year begins," McCarthy wrote.

"A Charter Objection during this process would have the potential to disrupt and delay the budget being in place on July 1 of each fiscal year."

Not long after the committee reconvened in 2023, President Peter White (councilor at large at the time) presented a petition that asked, "Should the charter objection be eliminated or otherwise amended?" Under the rule, if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, it is postponed until the next meeting of the City Council.

The motion became a prominent tactic during budget hearings in 2022 when former councilor Charles Kronick called a charter objection on the $189 million fiscal 2023 budget and derailed the vote. Because of this, a budget was adopted by default, but former Mayor Linda Tyer agreed to apply $116,000 in recommended increases from the council after the matter.

Terms of office for the city clerk, city council, and School Committee were also considered. The committee recommends that the city clerk have a four-year term but does not recommend a change to the two-year terms for the City Council and School Committee.

"The Committee takes a neutral position because there is no combination of positive or negative factors which demand a change to the Charter," McCarthy reported.

The committee received "substantial" input on Article 7, for fiscal and financial procedures. It was originally concerned about the mayor, School Committee, and City Council's interactions and thought they might need fine-tuning, but after speaking to city officials, felt no amendment was needed.

"As a matter of custom and practice, these branches of government work diligently to honor the Charter's fixed planning calendar," McCarthy wrote.

"Generally, the School Committee provides its budget by May 1; the Mayor provides to the City Council the Mayor's budget no later than May 14. This works effectively."

During last year's budget season, there was a perceived disconnect between school staff, the administration, and public officials. Both bodies wanted this year's process to go better.

The city's operating budget for fiscal year 2025 passed with a $200,000 reduction to the $82 million Pittsfield Public Schools budget. During the final approval, all conversation was related to the schools, as droves of staff members came to council chambers believing this was a direct slash to positions.

The cut was aimed at the Mercer Administration Building or non-personnel line items. It was agreed that misinformation sparked the controversy and was attributed to a "divide" between the school district and the council.

Other recommendations from the Charter Review Committee:

• That the city undertake·a process by ordinance or policy to provide educational training for newly elected officials. This could be required of all elected officials. There are trainings and orientations offered by contractors and consultants which have been used by state and local governments. Veteran members can contribute in the same manner. This will minimize the learning curve for new officials so that they may maximize their input

• Regarding Article 9, citizens initiatives, the committee suggests that no vote should be taken by the City Council unless and until the form of the question as approved by the City Solicitor is presented to the Council. This will eliminate much confusion about the meaning and permanence of the language to be considered.

Charter Review Report by Brittany Polito

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