Woburn Aldermen Vote To Rename Themselves Councilors

WOBURN, MA — The last aldermen in Massachusetts could be no more, if the state approves Woburn's request to rename its City Council members "councilors."

The council voted at their Sept. 16 meeting to petition the state to change the city charter. In recent years, petitions to rename boards of aldermen and selectmen have been granted consistently.

The state's last Board of Aldermen, in Melrose, was renamed in 2019.

The Council had a brief discussion before voting unanimously to approve the change. Alderman Joanne Campbell called unsuccessfully for the order to be sent to committee and discussed.

Council President Lindsay Higgins noted that 2020 is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Alderman Jeff Dillon noted that the term confuses people: he is sometimes asked if he plans to run for City Council by people who know he recently was elected alderman.

The home rule petition requires approval from the state legislature Gov. Charlie Baker's signature to go into effect.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.