The Marblehead Town Charter Committee continues its work of delving deep into the structure and inner workings of local governments. Among the most recent topics discussed at its most recent meeting: representative versus open town meeting.
For nearly four centuries, Marblehead has operated under an open town meeting form of government, where all registered voters can attend, speak and vote on town matters. This direct democratic system, coupled with a five-member Select Board serving as the executive branch, has been the cornerstone of local decision-making here.
However, as the town has grown and governance has become more complex, some aspects of Marblehead’s structure have evolved. For instance, the town employs a town administrator who manages day-to-day operations but lacks formal authority in the town’s bylaws.
Sean Casey, a committee member tasked with drafting language for the town’s charter, highlighted this discrepancy: “If you were to read town bylaws or state law, you wouldn’t even know we had a town administrator and what they do.”
The town hired the Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston with a $20,000 COVID grant to help guide the process and support the committee. The center most recently provided a comprehensive report on town meeting structures in Massachusetts communities similar to Marblehead.
Key findings from the Collins Center, as well as a League of Women Voters report, include:
— Town meeting attendance averages 2-6% of registered voters over 20 years, with spikes for key issues.
— Of the 351 communities in Massachusetts, 75% use the open town meeting format.
— Of the 54 towns with populations between 15,000 and 25,000, only nine employ a representative form of town meeting.
— No Massachusetts town has converted from an open to a representative town meeting since 1989.
“We’re not trying to be activist in terms of changing things,” said Amy Drinker, chairperson of the Town Charter Committee. “It’s really making sure that we understand it enough that when we take a position on it, we can say that we researched the pros and cons of each.”
Committee members said they are keenly aware of the potential for controversy surrounding any proposed changes to Marblehead’s governance structure. Several members expressed concern that even discussing representative town meeting could provoke a strong reaction from residents.
“If you want to see the biggest town meeting turnout ever — put this in a draft charter that says we’re going to take away open town meeting,” Casey said. “You’ll get 4,000 people showing up. Then it’ll be 95% against, and the whole charter goes down the drain.”
May’s Town Meeting, where a controversial MBTA zoning article failed by a narrow 33-vote margin, has sparked debate over Marblehead’s town meeting format, where only people who attend in person can vote. Town meetings are typically held weeknights.
In a representative format, local residents elect reps to attend town meeting and vote. Proponents say that accommodates parents with young kids at home, people who work at night and those with mobility issues.
The committee, however, is proceeding cautiously. Casey’s comments about potential resistance to changing the 375-year-old direct democracy tradition highlight the sensitivity of the issue. Some have proposed alternative solutions, such as Saturday meetings like neighboring Nahant.
While the MBTA vote has renewed interest in governance alternatives, the Collins Center cautioned in early meetings against drafting a town charter based on reactions to a single event. The committee faces the challenge of balancing Marblehead’s democratic heritage with potential needs for structural change.
Meanwhile, to mitigate concerns and ensure community input, the committee is planning a series of public forums to gather feedback and educate residents about the charter review process. Drinker emphasized the importance of transparency and public engagement.
“We want to provide regular opportunities for people to come to a public forum,” Drinker said. “They can always attend our meetings online and ask questions during public comments.”
The committee has invited various town departments and elected officials for their perspectives. Most recently, they met with the Recreation and Parks Commission to discuss the current structure and potential improvements.
The next Charter Committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Abbot Hall. Residents can also watch meetings online. To learn more, visit: tinyurl.com/mry526cu.
