Just say no to the Charter Change look what it's done to Lawrence and Lowell...
Charter Change to.....BAD for you!

I totally agree to what Dave states above. Mr. Wilson wears two hats when it comes to this Charter Change. Wearing one hat he is Chairmman of the committee, and when it is time to vote he changes chairs and puts on his Selectman's hat. Isn't this a conflict of interest? He is voting on both sides of the fence. Mr. Wilson was put on a fact finding comittee to get the pros and cons of this Charter change. It looks like he is taking it very personal and if he doesn't get his way he seems to pout. Thank you Mr. Sears for asking the hard questions, but Mr. Wilson double talked him and never answered his question. What's the big rush Mr. Wilson! We have been doing what we have been doing for a long time Mr. Wilson, and you are stepping down leaving this your legacy? I believe that the Citizens of Tewksbury should have a piece of paper stating the pros and cons of this proposal, in layman's terms, and give the Town People enough time to understand it.
P.S. After the vote I hope their is no high-fives and celebrating.

#1) Why was this not added to the agenda prior to the meeting as Mr. Sears stated?
#2) I had no idea that the committee had a web page
#3) What is the rush?
#4) I would like to see "on the patch" a listing & links of all material associated with this proposed change in town charter prior to the public hearings

This change seems to be going along through appropriate channels but then "all of sudden" seems to get a big push forward....no input from the taxpayers/voters yet...
just a big push forward....
One thing that I have noticed is that negative comments with regard to the proposed change in town government is met with a great deal of resistance and irritation from those involved with the charter committee.....just my opinion....

Question...how many registered voters in Tewksbury?

I took over responsibility for the committee in the fall of 2008 after John Ryan had resigned from the BOS. In January 2009 I put the BOS on notice I would not be running for re-election and they had to identify someone else to take my slot on the Committee. Mrs Carey was chosen to be the Selectmen's Representative on this committee and has done an outstanding job. There has been NO RUSH to this activity since that was three years ago.

Thank you Jerry for clarifying that there is no rush...I had no idea that this committee has been looking into the varied forms of town government for over 3 years...my apologies....
Maybe we can move on to the more important issues associated with these proposed changes to the town charter....

With all due respect, whatever happened in those early years I believe was of a more exploratory nature. One can't deny that the current proposal didn't REALLY take off once Mr. O'Neill began drafting a new charter a year ago and Mr. Wilson came on board as chairman replacing Mrs. Carey. IMO, that is when the direction of their original mission statement changed into the outcome we have now.

The prepared document by the charter committee is actually quite a good read. It is extremely informative as it contains pertinent information to substantiate much of its claims using particular case study examples across the region. I highly recommend all read at least the first 3 to 5 pages. The rest of the documentation is a bunch of articles pertaining to the day to day town operation.
Unfortunately, I do not, at this current time, believe the proposed charter truly creates a representative form of government, it only makes it more convoluted and bigger. This is not what this town needs. So I will be voting "No" to the change. Specifically, the main reason being the board make-up. A nine member board whereby 4 will be district representatives and 5 will be at large members. Therefore the At-Large members outnumber the members that have a vested interest in representing their respective district. This is wrong and hopefully all Tewksbury voters agree that this is the wrong ratio! My suggestion is 7 members 4 district and 3 at large. And I would also propose that any individual currently in office or part of the charter committee abstain from being part of the council if passed. That would truly demonstrate to the town voters that their truly is no "Vested" interest in seeing this article get pushed thru -- wouldn't it!

this could work if a town meeting component was added for items that were deemed to to be over a certain $$ amount ie budget ,sewer etc.

Open Town meetings work as long as you elect good people; I don't see how having council representation is better. At least with open town meeting every citizen of the town can voice their concerns as to how local gov't should be ran and with out that benefit your concerns are minimized or reduced that means your council rep will determine whether you have a valid concern and I think this change will breed corruption which is what this Town doesn't need with the economy being what it is. Council reps cannot change the economy.

Many of the town voters including myself have been sitting on the sidelines. We need to be energized and certainly energize ourselves. We must not fear a negative outcome, there are none. Both metods of governing can be improved. We are a small town with a small budget and we need to be right the first time. I do not like the system that we have and I am nearly clueless over the system that may replace it. I did spend many years in sales and I know the power of closing statement. Voters will vote against the unknown we must inform them so that does not happen. A summary of the plan and the plan differences including approx. cost will wake the sleeping giants. A two or three page summary will bring voters that care to the SACC program briefings. Little will be accomplished by shortening the process. In the long run smoking it past voters will turn them against you. You have done a great job, we the people have failed you. Unfortunately we sign the checks. I suggest having your meetings as scheduled, but, post a brochure on line within a few days. Growth requires change but change won't happen if we are not clear on the future expectations of our government. Provide bullets or charts but get the voters into the game. In the long run this will lead to a win/win. We all need to understand and work together. No one will receive everything, but will get something they can live with. We must always remember Nancy Pelosi's words of wisdom. We must vote for it to see what is in it.

Karyn: with all due respect the decision was made three years ago to go with a committee and not a commision. The charge was to come up with a new charter. The decision was made to go with a committee because a commission had much stricter guidelines, had a set time frame (18 months) and required elected representatives which would have required even more time and signficantly impacted the schedule. It was ALWAYS the intent to go forward with a charter change and if people on the BOS didn't know that they weren't paying attention.

Jerry: please refresh my memory ... did the Town Meeting Review issue a written report ? If so, did it suggest that the open town meeting and the charter that provides it be supplanted by a charter that features councilors and no town meeting? I have no memory of that document or stated conclusion when the Town Meeting Review Committee's mission ended and the SACC's mission began.

The "Comparison between OTM & Council on 12-31-1" on the town website is a document that everyone should read...it gives a pretty good rundown of the changes that would take place if this change is put in place...
Council control increased....voter control decreased.....

Doug: You were there! You chose not to participate! There is a surprise!

Jerry you are helpful, as usual. I'll ask Liz.

Town Meeting Review Committee (TMRC) presented its final report on 12/04/07 orally through Mrs. Liz Carey on behalf of the committee. (Mr. Dick was in the position on the BOS to which I was elected 04/10/08) "Our goal was to streamline the Town Meeting to try to make it more voter friendly, time efficient, and uncomplicated." Changes were suggested and adopted by Town Meeting. "In 2005 BOS charged the TMRC to provide the BOS with a document on how to go about a charter change." TMRC presented "two options to make a charter change should the BOS and town decide to do so." On 03/04/09 TMRC through Mrs. Carey: "The members will examine several local government structures and investigate different forms of government, such as: Open Town Meeting; Representative Town Meeting and Town Council Format and will include the efficiency and cost effectiveness of each form. The voters will be notified by Town Meeting Warrant. TMRC has determined the SACC method is more efficient; the time frame is less rigid; and the structure is considerably less."

I guess you have to be careful if you have a difference of opinion leaning more towards open town meeting if you differ you'll have your comments flagged as inappropriate ahhh democracy at it's finest!

The latest seen on today's Lowell Sun's 'The Column':

AFTER THE last Tewksbury Board of Selectmen meeting, heated words were exchanged between Selectmen Douglas Sears and Scott Wilson on the issue of the proposed charter, and the public hearings that now are set for Jan. 31 and Feb. 7.

It is not clear how the argument flared up, but word on the street is that it got fairly testy. Sears, along with Selectmen David Gay and Anne Marie Stronach, have repeatedly asked the Special Act Charter Committee to produce a quick one- or two- page document that would help residents analyze the differences in town government pre- and post- charter. All three have said they believe more has to be done to educate residents about the charter and what it proposes, in advance of the public hearings.

Wilson disagrees, and he says that the committee has done all it should be expected to do: It has produced a final draft of the charter, placed it on the town website, and produced a quick contrast document.

Stronach offered to develop the breakdown. Yet, there is still disagreement with Wilson over whether that's necessary. At any rate, the new and improved analysis of charter changes should be available in advance of the hearings.

Karyn, I was at that meeting and what is described in the Sun I didnt see at all. I was there and I stayed late, speaking to Anne Marie Stronach.
That said, Tewksbury Patch has published every piece of detailed comparison between the two documents. Stronach and Wilson will be working together to put together simplified versions of the comparisons (I find it fascinating that some folks have demanded simplified versions and others have demanded detailed versions.)
These documents will, in fact be made available prior to the hearings. Moreover, Tewksbury Patch will have Scott Wilson on for a LIVE interview, fielding questions from the public on Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Karyn I don't know what mr. Wilson may have said to who ... But these live interviews and q and a session are a tewksbury patch project. Each week I will talk to someone in the news and give residents a chance to ask questions. I am open to suggestions for guests. Who would you like to have us interview. As for bias ... I respectfully disagree with you. I have never believed that the soap opera infighting was newsworthy.reporting about Bickering does not help voters decide which form of government is better. And as for losing a vote... You are right, the direct vote at town meeting would be elimated in a town council government. However voters would still have a direct vote on issues of debt exclusions and prop 2 1/2 overrides. And I hope that is explained.

As for mr. Sears ... We intend to include all declared candidates for interviews. Let me explain the format a little batter. This will not be a bully pulpit. This will be an interview and a chance for you the readers to participate and ask questions and demand answers.

Hopefully Mr. Sears will participate in the interview process....will balance, illuminate & hopefully all participants will educate....

I'm sure he will. Here is the thing ... there seems to be feelings on both sides of this issue that the answer is "just so obvious." Some folks believe it is "obvious" that Tewksbury should have a town council. Others believe it is "obvious" Tewksbury should have an open town meeting. The simple truth is, it's just a matter of opinion. One person thinks one form of government is best. Someone else thinks another form is best. My concern is what it has always been --- that when someone holds an opposite position, there is an assumption that they are either stupid or that they must be playing an angle and that there is something in it for them. The truth is, intelligent people of integrity can have honest differences of opinion.

Bill....lately I have not given an opinion for or against...I have just tried to elicit a conversation hopefully to educate all of voters of Tewksbury...I sat back and thought about things...thought that I may be coming on too strong for keeping the town meeting form of government that we currently have in place or that I may not be giving the SACC a chance to make their case.....you are correct...there are two sides to this conversation....If we are going to have an educated vote on this choice of future government, we need to have an open forum where everyone can listen, decide and cast their vote for or against.....we just need to insure it is an open forum where everyone can express their opinion good or bad...it may get ugly but what the hll.....as far as educate(hopefully all participants in the change of government discussion ie...town council members & SACC members)....was just looking for all to "illuminate" us...the voters....

Agreed Dan.

It is extremely hard to remain objective and look at things from a third party position...my hat is off to you....I will try to contininue down this path & stir (not steer) the conversation....

Hey if the committee feel they completed the task and felt that their outreach is complete then these hearings will be more of the same. Its a committee whose members have no experience as to the realiies of wether we will be better served by a few rather than by the present form.

Jon, as I understand it and as it was told to me and reported months ago, these upcoming public hearings were always part of the outreach plan. So, at this point, the committee does not feel their outreach is complete.
As for which type of government serves the town better, you seem to think the answer is obvious. It just doesnt strike me as clear cut one way or another.

Karyn, are you suggesting that in their documentation, they should have a line that says, "Now, we just want to warn you, a government with a Town Council will take away your vote."
IMHO -- If there is going to be mention of losing a vote, it should be clarified what types of issues people can no longer vote on.

Mr Gilman:

You seem to have become a major apologist for the SACC.

I thought this was a comment section. However, it seems to have become a place where people raise concerns and then Bill Gilman explains things for you. I think that is unnecessary and unwise.

I suggest that you write your articles then get out of the way. Let the people hash it out themselves.

The answers continue to trickle out of the Committee. I was unhappy with Town Meeting form of government, but, have major concerns with the Town Council form of government. I believe many of us are in the same boat. We respect the Committee and their dedication however, in order for this new government to pass, the people need their comfort zones raised. Most fear growing government. The new information being made available soon will help only if the voters read it. Apathy continues to destroy us it is not unique to this problem. Sometimes I wonder if the people have the will to fail. We must remove the failure option from the table by being open and honest. Converted citizens, will convert their neighbors. The voters have grown accustomed to the government solving every single problem for them, but can't afford it. Let the facts fall where they may. The headlines will gain attention developing interest. This plan may not pass the first time around, however, regroup and bring it up a revised plan at a later date. Don't expect rapid success, build a plan that sells itself. Most are not concerned with the details, they are concerned with how the change will effect them.
1. What is the reason for changing our way of governing and what is the urgency?
2. What kind of tax increase should I expect with a Town Council form of government?
3. Describe the fuction of Town Meeting with Town Council form of government.
Keep it plain and simple.
Voters Attend Town Meetings!

These are the areas that are exempt from voters initiative. In reading the document it seems that council has the authority to add to this list.

Measures which include the following subject matter shall not be subject to initiative and referendum procedures:
(a) revenue loan orders;
(b) appropriations for the payment of debt or debt service;
(c) internal operational procedures of the town council and the school committee;
(d) emergency measures;
(e) the town budget as a whole or the school committee budget as a whole;
(f) appropriation of funds to implement a collective bargaining agreement;
(g) procedures relating to election, appointment, removal, discharge or any other personnel action;
(h) proceedings providing for the submission or referral of a matter to the voters at an election;
(i) memorial resolutions and other votes constituting ordinary, routine matters not suitable as the subject of a referendum petition; and
(j) for the purpose of achieving a lower rate of interest and/or extend the term of repayment

Before we turning our world upside down; I suggested months ago that we attempt to overhaul Town Meeting. Why are so many avoiding their civic responsibilities? My own personal experience is that the acoustics are not user friendly. I attend anyway spending half the night decoding the messages. Half the people in the room are my age and it must be a problem for them as well. It's possible that we have lost the voters interest. Simplify procedures. Poll the voters asking why they do not atttend Town meeting. It may be a simple fix. Parking, offering shuttle buses from Town Hall. Ask the voters in a mailing or have Patch or the Town Crier or both to conduct a poll. Maybe town meeting can't be fixed and may be a part of small town America and Norman Rockwell cover stories in the Saturday Evening post. Poll other abutting towns and verify whether or not they're experiencing a similar disaster. We can't just write town meeting off, turning our lives over to a group of nine.

THAT was a question asked (looking for ways to improve Town Meeting through voter education and like suggestions you have added above) by myself at the VERY FIRST public hearing going back way BEFORE they started drafting the document. I believe it was re-iterated by Selectwoman Stronach as well somewhere along the line. After insisting that that was already tried (mind you a few years back) ie. moving the TM to Sat. to improve attendance, etc. which didn't work...duh... (like average residents are going to give up free time on a May weekend or not be busy with kids' sports , yard work, etc.) and that basically was the end of that discussion. It has ALWAYS been my contention that WHY would you go through all this complete overhauling BEFORE at least CURRENTLY trying again what could prove to be a relatively simple fix? That has never been answered to my satisfaction. And here we stand today. That is one of many reasons I believe this whole scenario was pre-ordained and why I think they have never been TRULY interested in residents' or anyone else's input despite what they might claim.

I agree with Don. Time after time I hear, at Town Meeting, we have to bring our children. Or we had to wait until we could get a sitter. I remember a few times that the Girl Scouts had a room for child care during Town Meeting. Why not look into that possibility again? I also mentioned a few times about a Saturday Town Meeting. I think that is what Wilmington does. It gives voters who work and get home late a chance to get to a Town Meeting on Saturday. I agree that everyone in this day and age are busy, but we have to instill in them the need to help govern our town by taking part in the Town Meeting process. Maybe you are right, Karyn that this whole thing was pre-ordained. I don't know anymore.

Note to all: I thought that Jerry resolved the pre-ordained issue a couple weeks ago. It was and we cannot go back, we need to go forward.

It is so obvious, yet no one will say it.

The SACC Mission doesn't mention a Charter change. It mentions other things as tasks- but no charter change, it isn't adding up?

Special Act Charter Committee Mission (SACC):
To examine our current local government structure and to investigate the following forms of government; the Open Town Meeting, the Representative Town Meeting and a Town Council Format, including the efficiency and cost effectiveness of each and to prepare a preliminary report to the Board of Selectman within 18 months of the formulation of the April 2009 Special Act Charter Committee.

Jerry Selissen
5:57 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Karyn: with all due respect the decision was made three years ago to go with a committee and not a commision. ........The charge was to come up with a new charter. It was ALWAYS the intent to go forward with a charter change and if people on the BOS didn't know that they weren't paying attention.

Anyone else connecting dots here?

On 03/04/09 Town Meeting Review Committee, through Mrs. Carey:, reported to the Board of Selectmen: "The members will examine several local government structures and investigate different forms of government, such as: Open Town Meeting; Representative Town Meeting and Town Council Format and will include the efficiency and cost effectiveness of each form."

The Special Act Charter Committee has reported to the BOS that its study favors the Town Council form. To complete its mission, the SACC shall support its conclusion by a report that "will include the efficiency and cost effectiveness of each form." This report co-authored by Selectmen Scott Wilson and Annemarie Stronach is being prepared for the residents who attend the January 31st and February 7th Public Hearings, and will be available on the Town website tonight.

Now that a handout is being worked on, I only hope having it available by Fri. in hard copy at the Library, Senior Center, and Town Hall (which was stated at the BOS mtg.) is enough time for residents to pick up a copy and digest the information before Tuesday's public hearing. IMO, considering the lateness of availability, it would have been preferable to cancel the Jan. 31st date and have the Feb. 7th date be the FIRST hearing with another one to follow.

Over a month ago,I sent a long letter to the editor of the Town Crier regarding the issues and concerns I found with the process and recommendations.

Doug Sears provided a copy to the BOS but hey have not responded to the issues I raised.

For me this is just another fiasco being pushed on the Citizens of Tewksbury like the sewer system and the Mega Mall.

This entire process was flawed from the beginning by appointing a select Committee of insiders versus electing a Commission of townspeople to reserach this single most important change in our form of government.

I sincerely hope the "great unwashed" people of Tewksbury see through this charade before it is too late.

AS my letter is too long for this blog, I will send a copy of my letter to the Patch Editor in the hope he will publish it as well.

If anyone wants a copy, you can contact me via this blog and I will send it to you.
Bob Kelley

I'm going to put this all out here because this has been such a "commented on" article. I'm looking for bloggers for Tewksbury Patch. The simplest definition of a blogger is someone who writes opinion "blog entries". They can be on any topic and will not be edited for content. The space is yours and you can write as often as you'd like. We have so many folks in Tewksbury with strong opinions and most of them also do a ton of research to shape their opinions. We want to give you all a forum to share these opinion. Politics, water and sewer rates, taxes, education, economic development, sports ... whatever. In terms of content, think of blog entries as similar to op-ed pieces, essays or letters to the editor. You can even include photos or video clips and links if you wanted to. Anyone 18 or over is welcome to write blogs and anyone 13-17 can blog with a parent's permission. If you are interested, email me at williamg@patch.com
If you want to know how easy it is, ask Don Ordway, Melissa Gleaton, Jerry Selissen or any of the other local bloggers we have.

The document created by Anne-Marie Stronach and Scott Wilson has been released and we have it here. http://patch.com/A-q1j5