The question is on the ballot in the following towns: Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Middlefield, Pelham, Plainfield, South Hadley, Southampton, Westhampton and Williamsburg.
NORTHAMPTON – The member towns of the Hampshire Council of Governments will be asked to approve revisions to the council’s charter in a special ballot question on Nov. 6.
Although Hampshire County dates back to the 1600s and is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year, its administration has undergone significant changes. In the 1990s, the state abolished the county form of government. The Hampshire Council of Governments subsequently formed to take over some of the county’s previous functions. Since then, several communities, including Northampton and Easthampton, have opted out of the council.
The ballot question asks voters in the 15 member communities to approve a number of changes to the charter that reflect the current administration and responsibilities of the Hampshire Council of Governments. Among those proposed changes is clarification of the procedure necessary for a community to join the council and a change in the terms of councilors from two to three years.
The ballot question also asks voters to alter the system of representation so that towns with more than 10 percent of the population of the entire council will have two councilors. In addition, the new charter deletes all references to Hampshire Care. In 1999, the county sold Hampshire Care, a nursing home it operated in Leeds, to the Masons.
Eileen Stewart, who represents the town of Williamsburg and sits on the Council of Governments’ executive committee, said the revised charter needs to reflect the current operation of the council.
“Things have changed,” Stewart said.
The question is on the ballot in the following towns: Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Middlefield, Pelham, Plainfield, South Hadley, Southampton, Westhampton and Williamsburg.