Charter Review Public Questionaire

Abington’s Town Charter serves like the town’s Constitution. It establishes the foundational structure of Abington’s government, with the town’s bylaws then establishing the rules. Under the Town Charter, a committee must review the document every 10 years and recommend changes, if they believe any should be made. This is the charge of the current Charter Review Committee.

The committee wants to hear from Abington’s residents, employees, department heads, and elected officials. Please use the form below to share ideas, suggestions, or questions. We also invite you to attend one of our upcoming meetings if you want to discuss an idea further.

Thank you.

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* 1. What form of government do you think would be best for Abington moving forward:

Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager (CURRENT FORM)

Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator

Town Council, Mayor

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What structure should Town Meeting use?

Open Town Meeting, where every eligible vote can attend/participate (CURRENT FORM)

Representative Town Meeting, where a slate of delegates is elected by voters in the town’s five precincts

Abolish Town Meeting

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* 3. Currently, Town Meeting cannot conduct business without a quorum of 150 registered voters in attendance. Should this number be higher, lower, or stay the same?

Lower

Higher

Stay the Same

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* 4. If you answered a or b to question 3, approximately how many Town Meeting Members should Abington have?

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* 5. What size Select Board should Abington have going forward?

5 (current size)

Other (please specify)

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* 6. These boards are currently appointed. Should any of them be elected? (Check off whichever ones you feel should be elected instead of appointed)

Arts Council

Cable Advisory Committee

Community Preservation Committee

Conservation Commission

Finance Committee

Historical Commission

Open Space Committee

Parks & Recreation Commission

Zoning Board of Appeals

None of the above

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* 7. Please check if you agree with any of the following statements

I feel well informed about what the Town of Abington is doing.

I feel well informed about town services.

The process for vetting members of committees, boards, and commissions is open and free of conflicts of interest.

I don't feel well informed about what is happening in town.

The town can do a better job communicating with residents.

I think the process the town uses to make appointments to boards and committees could be better

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 8. Do you have any additional thoughts that would fit into any of these topic areas: Good Government, Structure, Finances, Committees/Commissions/Boards, Town Services, Administration/Operations

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* 9. Is there anything we didn’t ask about that you think would improve the way the town is governed, managed, budgets, or provides services?

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* 10. Please provide your email address if you'd like to be kept informed of future Charter Review Commission meetings

Email Address