SUMMARY OF ACT TO AMEND CHARTER OF THE CITY OF LOWELL

This proposed law provides for changes in the Charter of the City of Lowell. The Charter would be amended to vest the Chief Executive power of the City of Lowell in a Mayor elected by and from the qualified voters of the City. The Mayor would also have veto power over ordinances, resolutions, orders and votes adopted or passed by the City Council. The Mayor's veto may be overriden by a two-thirds vote of the City Council. If the Mayor does not return a vote, order, resolution or ordinance to the City Council with his/her written objection to it within ten (10) days after it is presented to him/her, it shall take effect. The Mayor would receive the same salary as was paid to the City Manager under the Plan E Charter If a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor during the first twelve months of his/her term, the City Council will order a special election to fill the vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Mayor during the last twelve months of his/her term, the chairperson of the City Council will perform the duties of Mayor for the remainder of the term, except that s/he would not be able to make permanent appointments to city departments.

The government of the City of Lowell would continue to be vested in nine (9) City Councillors elected at large for two (2) year terms. The City Council member who received the highest number of votes at the general municipal election would serve as Chairperson of the City Council and the Council member who received the second highest number of votes at the general municipal election would serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Lowell City Council. The Chairperson of the City Council would receive the same salary as was paid to the Mayor under the Plan E Charter.

The School Committee would consist of seven (7) members elected at large for two (2) year terms. The School Committee member who received the highest number of votes at the general municipal election would serve as the Chairperson of the School Committee. The member who received the second highest number of votes at the general municipal election would serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the School Committee. The Chairperson of the School Committee would receive the same salary as the other members of the School Committee. The general management and conduct of the public schools of the City of Lowell is vested in the School Committee.

A vacancy in the City Council or School Committee would be filled by whichever of the defeated candidates received the highest number of votes in the last regular municipal election, and is eligible and willing to fill the vacancy.

If accepted by the voters of the City of Lowell, this proposed law would take effect for the October 10,1995 preliminary election for nominations, the November 7,1995 regular city elections, and, for all other purposes, on the first Monday in January, 1996.