§ 149-11. Procedures for charter revision and amendment

(a) The procedures and process for charter amendment herein may be initiated either by a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen, or by a citizen initiative (petition) equal to five percent of the voters.

(b) The procedure for charter revision shall be as follows:

(1) The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Charter Review Committee of not less than ten (10) members, which shall include representatives from the Board of Selectmen, the administration, and the community at large, with the majority from the community at large.

(2) Within one year after appointment, the Charter Review Committee shall report out any amendments, revisions, or changes.

(3) The Board of Selectmen shall determine if the proposed amendments are a comprehensive revision, and shall determine the format of the article.

(4) Any changes in the charter must be effected by a Town meeting vote with at least 25 of voters participating.

(c) In addition to the procedure set forth above in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the charter may be revised or amended by the submission of a citizen initiative (petition) signed by 10 percent of the voters. The petition and subsequent action shall conform to the requirements of State statutes relating to charter amendment procedures, shall be subject to the determination of the Board of Selectmen as to whether or not they are comprehensive in nature, and shall be approved by a Town meeting vote with at least 25 percent of voters participating.

(d) Any changes in the Town charter shall become effective immediately upon passage by the voters and approval by the Legislature as prescribed by statute.

(e) Charter amendment revote shall be subject to the limits prescribed in section 22(b)(7) of this charter.