LYNN — The Lynn Charter Review Committee gathered at City Hall Tuesday evening for public comment on its final draft recommendations, before sending them to the City Council to review and approve.
Committee Chair Thomas McGee began the meeting by addressing the committee’s work and explained the background for the committee’s purpose. He said the committee formed last May and consists of five appointees of the City Council and four members appointed by the Mayor.
The committee consists of McGee (Chair), Joseph Scanlon (Vice Chair), Magnolia Contreras, Pam Edwards, Nilsen Fresco, James Lamanna, Nicole McClain, CJ Mihos, and Danya Smith.
“They’ve all been a big part of this effort with their participation,” McGee said. “I want to thank them for all the work they’ve done with getting this moved forward onto the council, which is the next step.”
Before opening up the meeting to public comment, McGee took a moment to highlight the different recommendations being discussed. The areas which the draft recommendations would affect cover every element of the city’s operations. They span everything from the duties of the mayor, City Council operations and the city’s finances.
The first area of draft recommendations was centered on City Council. According to the recommendations, of the 11 members that make up the City Council, four elected at-large and seven elected by ward, would continue to be elected for two-year terms.
The document states that the council will still appoint a city clerk, but would no longer appoint any department heads. As of now, the City Council would retain the powers of municipal legislative bodies.
As for mayors, their authority over the appointment of department heads would increase. The recommendations stated that department heads will no longer serve indefinite terms. The mayor would still be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city throughout their four-year term.
School Committee remains a body of seven elected members at-large, where the mayor would also still serve as the chair.
The way the city’s operations are organized was also touched upon within the list of recommendations. The mayor will still be authorized to submit reorganized plans of boards and departments to the City Council. However, the council can still approve or reject the mayor’s proposals but cannot amend them.
It was noted that the city will no longer be required to seek state approval for reorganizing city government.
For city finances, the mayor will be required to call a joint meeting with the City Council and School Committee to review the city’s fiscal condition prior the budget process of each year. The city is also aiming to make the budget process “more streamlined”, according to the recommendations.
Dates and times of elections remain the same.
The first resident to speak during public comment was Gina O’Toole. “I’m not a big fan of the Home Rule petition in any way, shape or form. This takes the process of people of this city’s right to have a decision, and it should be on the ballot.”
O’Toole said that changing a city charter is changing the governance of the city works. “It takes away everyone’s voice and their right to have a vote on the changes that need to be changed.”
According to Mass.gov, a Home Rule petition is a formal request by a city or town to state legislature where they seek approval to enact laws specific to that municipality.
Jean Michael Fana, who spoke next, presented several recommendations before the committee. The first would be adopting a public comment requirement for council meetings, which he noted exists in other cities. Another is addressing Lynn being a low-voter turnout city, according to Fana.
“Another would be an audit committee of some kind, that would allow a long-term, ongoing work on that particular front, ensuring the city is staying up to date and that everything is good as it occurs on the books,” Fana said.
Fana also suggested a stronger emphasis on electronic access and open data requirements. “The city produces a lot of data, and publishing that data would help with transparency,” he said.
“I think we have an opportunity with this charter review to ensure that public comment is guaranteed at city council meetings,” Charlie Clark said. “To me, this seems like an essential part of any democracy.”
Clark highlighted the need for better language access for translation. “Any city event with public comment should have guaranteed language access and translation,” Clark said. “In a city with as large a Spanish-speaking population as Lynn, that translation should be by default, not needing individuals to have to go through the process of requesting it.”
“I’m disappointed, due to the fact that all committee members are politicians or insiders. That is wrong,” Jean Francois said. He cited how the Mayor would effectively have the power to appoint anyone he wants, Francois said. He claimed nepotism and transparency are problems he wants to see addressed going forward.
Francois cited an apparent lack of diversity between committee members as another issue needing to be addressed. “I don’t see any Asian people, LGBT or new youth among the committee,” he said.
“That means their issues will not be addressed. Any problems they have with the charter will not be addressed, because if you’re not around the table while the decision is taking on your behalf, definitely your issue will not be addressed.”
