The inhabitants of the city of Melrose, within the territorial
limits established by law, shall continue to be a municipal corporation,
a body corporate and politic, under the name "city of Melrose".
This act shall be known and may be cited as the city of Melrose
charter.
The administration of the fiscal, prudential and municipal affairs
of the city, with the government thereof, shall be vested in an executive
branch headed by a mayor and a legislative branch consisting of a
city council. The legislative branch shall never exercise any executive
power and the executive branch shall never exercise any legislative
power.
Subject only to express limitations on the exercise of any power
or function by a municipal government in the constitution or General
Laws of the commonwealth, it is the intention and the purpose of the
voters of the city through the adoption of this charter to secure
for themselves and their government all of the powers it is possible
to secure as fully and as completely as though each such power were
specifically and individually enumerated in this charter.
The powers of the city of Melrose under this charter are to
be construed liberally in favor of the city and the specific mention
of any particular power is not intended to limit the general powers
of the city as stated in sections 1 to 4, inclusive.
Subject only to express limitations in the constitution or General
Laws of the commonwealth, the city may exercise any of its powers
or perform any of its functions and may participate in the financing
thereof, jointly or in cooperation, by contract or otherwise, with
the commonwealth or any of its agencies or political subdivisions
or with the United States government or any of its agencies.
The following words shall have the following meanings unless
the context requires otherwise:-
"Business day", any day on which Melrose city hall is open for
the citizens of Melrose to conduct routine business.
"Charter", this charter and any adopted amendments to it.
"City", the city of Melrose.
"City agency", a multiple-member body, department, division
or office of the city.
"City bulletin boards", the official location for public notices
designated by the clerk's office and registered with the attorney
general where the public may find official notices of meetings; provided,
however, that "city bulletin boards" may include the city's website
and an official physical location within city hall.
"City council", the entire authorized complement of the city
council, notwithstanding any vacancy that might exist.
"City officer", when used without further qualification or description,
a person having charge of an office or department of the city who,
in the exercise of the powers or duties of that position, exercises
some portion of the sovereign power of the city.
"Emergency", a sudden, unexpected and unforeseen happening,
occurrence or condition that necessitates immediate action or response.
"Full multiple-member body", the entire authorized complement
of the city council, school committee or other multiple-member body,
notwithstanding any vacancy that might exist.
"Initiative measure", a measure proposed by the voters through
the initiative process provided under this charter.
"Local news publication", a newspaper of general circulation
within the city, with either a weekly or daily circulation; provided,
however, that if no general circulation publication exists within
the city, "local news publication" shall also include online publications
to the extent permitted by law.
"Majority vote", when used in connection with a meeting of a
multiple-member body, a majority of those present and voting unless
another provision is made by ordinance, by-law or by the body's
own rules.
"Measure", an ordinance, order, resolution or other vote or
proceeding adopted, or that might be adopted, by the city council
or the school committee.
"Multiple-member body", any board, commission, committee, subcommittee
or other body consisting of not less than 2 persons, whether elected,
appointed or otherwise constituted; provided, however, that "multiple-member
body" shall not include the city council or the school committee.
"Organization or reorganization plan", a plan submitted by the
mayor to the city council that proposes a change in the organization
of the administrative structure of the city government or a change
in the way a municipal service shall be delivered.
"Previous election", the most recent election to have occurred
for the particular position, council or committee that is referenced.
"Quorum", a majority of all members of a multiple-member body
unless some other number is required by law or by ordinance.
"Referendum measure", a measure adopted by the city council
or the school committee that is protested under the referendum procedures
of this charter.
"Voters", registered voters of the city of Melrose.
