Reading Will Mail Text of Proposed New Charter This Week

Voters in Reading should soon receive via mail the text of a proposed update to the town’s charter outlining Reading’s form of government.

Reading’s Annual Town Meeting in 2013 approved a Charter Review Committee to look at the town’s existing Home Rule Charter, according to a post on the town website. That committee spent 18 months holding public meetings and collecting input before presenting proposed new language during the 2015 Special Town Meeting.

The proposed new charter includes “updates to conform to state law, to reflect current practice, and to clarify language,” as well as some suggestions made and approved at the special town meeting, the announcement reads.

Reading voters must now decide whether to approve the new charter with a vote in the April 7 local election. The ballot question text is available here or in the included image.

As required by state law, the town will mail the proposed text of the charter to every household with at least one registered voter.

Additional questions can be directed to Town Manager Robert LaLacheur Jr. at townmanager@ci.reading.ma.us.