Charter Study Commission Phase I

Thank you to Charter Study Commission Phase I Interviewees!
The Charter Study Commission is well into Phase I of its study. Phase I involves study of the existing form of government, the Plainfield Charter (1968). In order to learn about Plainfield’s Charter, the Commissioners are reading it, comparing it to other similar charters and conducting interviews.  Interviewees are former and present elected and appointed officials as well as other members of the community. 
 
We thank Dr. Harold Yood, who has written extensively about Charter in his widely read blog, Ms. Elizabeth Urquhart, former City Councilor and City Council President, and Mr. Harold Mitchell, former Mayor, City Councilor and City Council President for sitting for interviews.  We are grateful for the time and effort that they put into their interviews and we were happy to have them as our guests.
 
The next Charter Study Commission meeting is Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.  in the City Hall Library.   Mr. Harold Gibson, former City Administrator, City Councilor and City Council President, Mr. Lawrence Bashe, former City Administrator, and Mr. Donald Davis, former City Councilor, will be interviewed.  All Charter Study Commission meetings are open to the public, with opportunity for public comment.  We invite you to join us on Thursday evening.

February 28th Meeting Agenda

Click here to view the February 28th Meeting Agenda.

Urquhart, Mitchell Give Charter Views

You can read a summary of the Urquhart and Mitchell interviews at Plaintalker II:

"The Charter Study Commission launched its interviews of past officials Thursday with former 16-year First Ward Councilwoman Elizabeth Urquhart and former Mayor Harold Mitchell, who also served terms on the City Council."

Dr. Yood Interview

You can read Dr. Harold Yood's content from his Charter Commission interview:

Charter Reprise

About the Budget

Thank you to Plaintalker II for covering Charter Study Commission and for the report on the 1/8 meeting.  Regarding the estimated cost and number of copies of the final report of CSC reported above,  I would like to note for readers that the budget request submitted to the City in mid December  included an explanatory footnote regarding the final report. The footnote explained that the statute that governs final reports of Charter Study Commissions, N.J.S.A. 40:69A-10, provides that commissions must deliver to the city clerk sufficient copies of the final report to permit distribution to any interested citizen. That obligation can be interpreted in many ways, so, CSC obtained an estimate for copying and mailing to every Plainfield household, with additional copies to post in the city.  The footnote explained that the estimate was the highest possible cost, that there would be much deliberation on interpreting the statute to arrive at a distribution plan that would satisfy the statute and be as cost effective as possible.  Since submitting the budget request, the City Solicitor has given an opinion that the statute does not require mailing to every household, that  we can rely on dropping copies at various locations in Plainfield. Our consultant from Rutgers Center for Government Services indicated that we could rely on email as one mode of distribution when questioned. So, the number of reports and the amount required for printing will continue to be discussed and will likely be less than the amount of the budget request. All readers are invited to our meetings, schedule for the year on our blog, and on the City website.     

Mary Burgwinkle, CSC Secretary and Budget Subcommittee Member

January 8, 2013 Agenda

City of Plainfield, New Jersey
Charter Study Commission

Agenda for Meeting of Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Plainfield City Hall Library


1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3.  Read Open Public Meeting Act Compliance Statement

4. Roll Call Attendance of Commissioners

5. Review and approve minutes of Meeting of December 11, 2012

6. Review of any Correspondence to Commission

7. Review of any current Treasurer Report

8. Report of Committee on meeting dates assigned at 12-11 meeting

9. Report of Budget Committee assigned at 12-11 meeting

10. Brief discussion of first phase of study

11. Commissioners discussion on persons to invite to speak with commission

12. Commissioners discussion of questions for interviewees

13. Announce date and time of next meeting

14. Public Participation

15. Adjourn  

3-2-1 It's a Lift Off! The Charter Study Commission Blog Soars!

Plainfield Today - Charter Study Launches Blog