Deadline to Join Chelmsford Charter Review Committee Extended

CHELMSFORD, MA — Want to have a say in the next review of the Chelmsford town charter? Then you should sign up to be a volunteer on the Chelmsford Charter Review Committee 2016.

There are currently nine vacancies open on the committee and the May 22 application deadline to apply has been extended. The committee is dedicated to reviewing the town charter and will meet twice monthly for one year and six months.

Here are the questions committee members will be discussing:

• Is our town structure fully efficient in the delivery of governmental services? Does duplication, fragmentation exist which prevents full efficiency?
• Is Chelmsford's structure of government organized to deliver effective management of local resources? Are we doing an adequate job of proactively planning for opportunities and/or problems?
• Has the system of government set forth in the Charter produced the desired level of expertise, professionalism and ethical government anticipated in 1987?
• Does our structure of government provide adequate accountability to the local residents/taxpayers? Do our citizens feel that the system has someone who can be held responsible for the actions of the government? Is this sense accurate?
• Does the structure of government provide adequate opportunities for political participation? Are citizens involved in the decision making process?
• Has the Charter produced stability in the executive and legislative branches as anticipated in the current charter?
• Are there issues that have arisen, or will arise over the next ten years for which the Charter needs to be revised?

Those interested in the committee can also contact Town Manager Paul E. Cohen at tmoffice@townofchelmsford.us or (978) 250-5201.