By Meredith McCulloch
Seventeen Charter amendments that were approved at last November’s Special Town Meeting are on the upcoming March 14 Town Election for a final Yes or No vote.
Amending Bedford’s Charter requires two votes by the voters. First, Town Meeting must approve putting the amendments on the ballot, then the amendments must be approved by a majority of voters.
Many of the changes are housekeeping matters changed to reflect current practice or to clarify language. Three articles call for more substantive changes:
- Creates a Deputy Moderator position to be appointed by the (elected) Moderator. The deputy would run the Town Meeting in the absence of the Moderator, but would have no other powers beyond the Town Meeting.
- Provides for an expansion of the Volunteer Coordinating Committee from three to five members.
- Clarifies the duties of the Volunteer Coordinating Committee and expands the time allowed to recommend candidates for vacancies on town boards and committees.
A sample ballot which contains the ballot questions and lists candidates for election can be found at: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/bedfordma/files/file/file/absenteeballot.pdf
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