Bill > H63

This bill makes several amendments to the town of Reading's home rule charter, primarily concerning its representative Town Meeting structure and the roles of town officials. Key changes include establishing a Town Meeting composed of 192 elected members from eight precincts, with one-third of these members' terms expiring annually, and outlining procedures for revising precinct boundaries to ensure equitable representation based on population. It also details how Town Meeting members are elected, including term lengths and how vacancies are filled, and clarifies nomination procedures for these positions, requiring nomination papers signed by at least ten voters from the candidate's precinct. Furthermore, the bill modifies provisions related to the Board of Selectmen, increasing its membership to five elected officials and defining their executive powers, including the appointment of a Town Manager. The qualifications, contract terms, and termination provisions for the Town Manager are specified, along with procedures for appointing an Acting Town Manager during absences or vacancies. Finally, the bill introduces a recall process for elected town officers (excluding Town Meeting members), outlining the petition requirements, election procedures, and ballot propositions for recalling an official.