THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 2, 2025 Page 3 Malden City Council unanimously approves landmark City Charter reform package Home Rule Petition seeking charter changes sent to state legislature for final approval By Steve Freker T his particular journey began at least seven years ago, more accurately, even longer than that, it is believed. The path was arduous at times and yes, it was long, very long. Literally, dozens of meetings, hundreds of hours of spirited – and of course, by chance, dispirited – debate. Scenarios created and dismissed, agreements and disagreements – all of that. submission process. Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow, a strong voice for city charter reform since he first came onto the City Council in 2017, headed up the Charter Review Committee for the Council. “Upwards of seven years working on amending the city charter has resulted in this vote tonight,” Councillor Winslow said. Winslow said initially, back in 2017, that discussion was centered on establishing a new city lic Works, City Engineer, Public Works Commission • Section 23A, Police Commissioner and Police Department • Section 23C, Stadium & Athletic Field Commission • Section 23D, Traffic Commission • Section 23F, Plumbing Inspector • Section 23G, Code Enforcement Inspector If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Stephen Winslow Ward 6 Councillor At Tuesday night’s Malden City Council meeting, municipal history was made when the City Council voted unanimously to approve the widest scope of Malden City Charter changes in decades. It was a major step in the ultimate finality of the process and culmination of a clear and effective collaboration between the City Council and staff from the office of Mayor Gary Christenson, among other staff from various municipal departments. Additional, intensive collaboration was held between the City Council, Mayor’s Office, the Malden Legal Department and the Malden Planning Board. The final step in the process of amending the existing Malden City Charter requires approval of a home rule petition – sent from the Mayor and City Council – by the Massachusetts Legislature. A separate but related City Council vote Tuesday night approved the creation of the home rule petition and initiated the formal Chris Simonelli Ward 7 Councillor charter, but after much consideration, landed on amending the present charter with pertinent changes and “edits.” “Instead of a new charter, an update of the original charter reflects more of where we are as a municipality today,” said Councillor Winslow, who also serves as chair of the Council’s Rules and Ordinance Committee. Many of the charter changes, as amendments to the existing document, involve the restructuring of some key municipal departments, along with the resurrection of a former city commission and replacements of others. The “nuts and bolts” of the charter changes/amendments involved the repeal of portions of certain sections of the Malden City Charter, including: • Section 16, Fire Commissioner and Fire Department • Section 20, Supt. of Public Works, City Engineer, Public Works Commission • Section 21, Supt. of PubCall or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available • Section 32, Board of Health The greater part of these sections, having passed the Council vote, were then incorporatREFORM | SEE PAGE 4
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