Governor Signs Groton Charter in Time for May 20 Ballot
Press Release
April 16, 2008
Governor Deval Patrick yesterday supported the proposed charter for the Town of Groton by signing the Massachusetts General Court´s Chapter 81 of the Acts of 2008.
Groton voters will vote on the 23-page charter at the next town election, scheduled for Tuesday, May 20. If the voters approve, the charter would define the terms of Groton´s government. The charter supersedes sections of the Massachusetts General Laws dealing with areas such as elected and appointed town positions, powers of town government, operation of town meetings, duties of standing committees and boards, planning of operational and capital spending and administrative organization.
News of the governor´s signature emerged in time to provide an informational article about the charter in the warrant for Groton´s April 28 Annual Town Meeting.
"By signing Chapter 81 of the Acts of 2008, Governor Patrick concurs with the House and Senate that the charter is a properly drawn home-rule petition that is consistent with Massachusetts law," said Representative Bob Hargraves. "Every 275 years or so, a town might consider changing its government. Now it´s up to the voters to decide whether they favor those proposed changes."
Groton approved the charter and amendments at the Special Town Meeting of October 22, 2007. Rep. Hargraves and Sen. Steve Panagiotakos co-sponsored the charter as House bill 4490 and propelled it successfully through the General Court in just under six months. The bill competed against approximately 5000 House and 2700 Senate petitions for the attention of Beacon Hill law makers. If approved at the polls by a majority of Groton voters, the charter would become effective immediately.
To view the Groton charter as signed by Gov. Patrick, Please click here.
