Preliminary Home Rule Charter

PRELIMINARY HOME RULE CHARTER

TOWN OF HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Table of Contents

ARTICLE 1: INCORPORATION, EXISTENCE AND AUTHORITY

Section 1-1: Incorporation - page 1

Section 1-2: Short Title – page 1

Section 1-3: Powers of the Town – page 1

Section 1-4: Division of Powers – page 2

Section 1-5: Interpretation of Powers – page 2

Section 1-6: Intergovernmental Relations – page 2

Section 1-7: Precedence of Charter Provisions – page 2

Section 1-8: Ethical Standards – page 2

Section 1-9: Definitions – page 3

ARTICLE 2: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

SECTION 2-1: Town Meeting – page 4

SECTION 2-2: Presiding Officer – page 4

SECTION 2-3: Annual Town Meeting –page 4

SECTION 2-4: The Town Report – page 5

SECTION 2-5: Special Town Meetings – page 5

SECTION 2-6: Warrants – page 5

SECTION 2-7: Initiation of Warrant Articles – page 5

SECTION 2-8: Availability of Town Officials at Town Meetings – page 6

SECTION 2-9: Clerk of the Meeting – page 6

SECTION 2-10: Rules of Procedure – page 6

SECTION 2-11: General Powers and Duties - page 6

ARTICLE 3: ELECTED OFFICERS

SECTION 3-1: General – page 6

SECTION 3-2: Board of Selectmen – page 9

SECTION 3-3: School Committee – page 10

SECTION 3-4: Town Moderator – page 10

SECTION 3-5: Hopkinton Housing Authority – page 11

SECTION 3-6: Planning Board –page 11

SECTION 3-7: Town Clerk – page 11

SECTION 3-8: Board of Assessors – page 12

SECTION 3-9: Board of Health – page 12

SECTION 3-10: Parks and Recreation Commission – page 12

SECTION 3-11: Other Elected Officers – page 13

ARTICLE 4: TOWN MANAGER

SECTION 4-1: Appointment, Qualifications and Review Procedure – page 13

SECTION 4-2: Powers and Duties - page 13

SECTION 4-3: Removal and Suspension – page 15

SECTION 4-4: Vacancy in the Office of the Town Manager – page 15

ARTICLE 5: ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

SECTION 5-1: Organization of Town Agencies – page 16

SECTION 5-2: Publication of Administrative Code – page 17

SECTION 5-3: Merit Principle – page 17

SECTION 5-4: Department of Finance – page 17

ARTICLE 6: FINANCE AND FISCAL PROCEDURES

Section 6-1: Fiscal Year – page 19

Section 6-2: School Committee Budget – page 19

Section 6-3: All other Elected and Appointed Officials’ Budgets – page 19

Section 6-4: Submission of Budget – page 20

Section 6-5: Budget Message – page 21

Section 6-6: The Budget – page 21

Section 6-7: Capital Improvements – page 22

Section 6-8: Approval of Warrants – page 22

Section 6-9: Audits – page 22

ARTICLE 7: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 7-1: Charter Changes – page 23

Section 7-2: Severability – page 23

Section 7-3: Specific Provisions to Prevail – page 23

Section 7-4: Number and Gender – page 23

Section 7-5: Rules and Regulations – page 23

Section 7-6: Periodic Review, Charter and By-laws – page 23

Section 7-7: Removals and Suspensions – page 24

Section 7-8: Loss of Office, Excessive Absence – page 25

Section 7-9: Notice of Vacancies – page 25

Article 8: TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Section 8-1: Continuation of Existing Laws – page 25

Section 8-2: Continuation of Government – page 25

Section 8-3: Continuation of Administrative Personnel – page 26

Section 8-4: Transfer of Records and Property – page 26

Section 8-5: Effective Date – page 26