Summary of Questions:

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Question 1: Would change the term of office for Town Councilors from two (2) year terms to four (4) year staggered terms. Currently, the entire Council (5 members) is elected every two years. By staggering the terms, two (2) in one election and three (3) in the next, it would allow for continuity between Councils and the continuation of long-term projects, like multi-year projects such as rebuilding the Charlestown Breachway West wall (here).

Question 2: Will ensure all elected Councilors can place items on the council agenda. Under past councils, controlled by Charlestown Citizens Alliance majorities, council members in the minority had items removed from the agenda thus reducing their effectiveness as councilors. This tactic is censorship, plain and simple. When the current Council took office in 2022, they immediately changed the Council rules to allow all members to be heard by the Council. Question 2's passage will solidify that future Councils cannot silence any duly elected representatives of the people from having a voice.

Question 3: Allows the Town Council to determine how proposed amendments to ordinances are published to the public by ordinance. Many other towns follow this same standard. Currently Charlestown is required to publish the changes in a local newspaper. This current process is both costly and outdated.

Question 4: If approved, this amendment would require advertising the vacancy of Town Administrator and provide the Town Council with the discretion of whether to establish a search committee. As each situation for hiring an administrator is unique to the circumstances, this change would allow the Council flexibility in the process of appointing a new administrator.

Question 5: Moves up the date the Budget Commission completes and submits the budget to the Town Council. Currently the date is March 31; the date would be changed to March 15. 

Questions 6, & 7: Largely administrative. Question 6 would allow the Board of Canvassers to determine the manner and methods of voting as allowed by state law. Question 7 sets the date of the tax rate each year on or before August 12 as permitted by state law.

Question 8: Would require the town to provide emergency medical services to the citizens of Charlestown. This requirement can be either through creating a town department or, as is the case now, through a contract with a third service. On October 10th, 2023, the current Town Council approved an agreement with the Charlestown Ambulance and Rescue Service to fully fund them over the next three years while they guarantee 24/7 coverage at the advanced life support level (see agreement here). This service to all of Charlestown's residents cost the taxpayer approximately $0.04 per thousand for FY 2024. A $500,000 home represents a $20 increase in tax burden this year. Over three (3) years of this contract means approximately $0.12 or $60. That is a small price for guaranteeing an ambulance arrives when you call 911. If not guaranteed through the Charter, a future Town Council could undo this agreement and risk the town's people not having guaranteed ambulance/rescue service.

Question 9: Would reduce the terms of the elected planning commission members from six (6) years to four (4) years by electing two (2) members in one election cycle and three (3) members in the next, resulting in four (4) year staggered terms. Reducing the terms allows the voters to have more choice in commission turnover while still allowing the terms to be long enough for the continuity and continuation of long-term projects and applications.

Question 10: Will bring meeting quorum and voting requirements in line with applicable state laws.

Question 11: Would allow the Town Council to appoint persons to more than one (1) position. The town has multiple open positions on various boards, committees, and commissions. As of the June 24th, 2024 meeting, thirty-nine (39) open vacancies exist (list of positions here). This change would allow, for example, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission to also serve as a member of the mosquito abatement commission.