How Worcester elects its leaders, divides power at City Hall and structures its municipal government all trace back to a document that has largely governed the city for nearly four decades.
Now, residents get a chance to weigh in on whether it is time to take another look.
The city council’s Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee holds a public discussion Sept. 28 on the possibility of reviewing Worcester’s modified Plan E charter, continuing a conversation councilors began earlier this year over whether the city’s framework of government still meets its needs.
The hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Esther Howland Chamber at City Hall. According to an announcement from the City Clerk’s Office, the committee is seeking comments, questions and ideas from residents as it considers the “feasibility and advisability” of the city council initiating or supporting a charter review.
The current charter took effect Jan. 1, 1987 and was most recently amended in 2022. It establishes Worcester’s council-manager form of government, with an executive branch headed by the city manager and a legislative branch consisting of the City Council. Worcester currently has an 11-member council, including six at-large councilors and five district councilors, with the mayor popularly elected.
Monday’s hearing follows a unanimous City Council vote earlier this year to send the question of a charter review to committee.
Councilor Gary Rosen, who raised the issue, said at the time that he was not proposing any particular change to Worcester’s government but believed the charter should periodically be reconsidered.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of when you just take a look at the charter — just review it,” Rosen said during the earlier council discussion.
The request now before the committee asks specifically whether the council should initiate or support efforts to review the charter. City records show the order was submitted by Rosen along with the rest of the City Council and referred to the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on Feb. 3.
A charter review does not necessarily mean the structure of Worcester government would change. As city officials explained during the earlier council discussion, the process required to make a change depends on what is being proposed.
City Solicitor Alexandra Kalkounis said at the time that changes involving the composition of the City Council, the form of government or the terms of the mayor, city manager or councilors would require a formal charter review process initiated by petition. Other changes could potentially be accomplished through special legislation or council action.
City Clerk Niko Vangjeli also told councilors that a citizen petition is required to initiate a charter commission. Members of such a commission would not be appointed by the City Council; prospective members would have to collect signatures and stand for election.
The possibility of a charter commission has surfaced at City Hall before. In March 2025, the council voted 10-0, with one member absent, to support resident-led efforts to place the establishment of a charter review commission before voters through a local initiative petition.
During this year’s discussion, councilors also raised the possibility of asking voters a nonbinding question about charter review. Kalkounis said such a question would be legally permissible.
Rosen argued that even a review resulting in no changes could have value.
“Maybe a commission would say, ‘This is the greatest charter since sliced bread, and [we] don’t have to make any changes.’ I don’t think that will happen, but that certainly is a possibility,” Rosen said during the earlier meeting.
Worcester has no established schedule requiring its charter to be periodically reviewed, Mayor Joe Petty said during that discussion.
The Sept. 28 meeting does not itself change the charter or establish a charter commission. Rather, it gives residents an opportunity to weigh in as the committee considers whether and how the city should move forward with a review. Email clerk@worcesterma.gov with any feedback or questions ahead of the meeting.
The Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee meeting begins at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, in the Esther Howland Chamber on the third floor of Worcester City Hall, 455 Main St.
