§ 30-A §2152 — Joint charter commission

1.
Petition.
The voters of a municipality may file a petition in the municipal office that must:
1-A.
Referendum on forming joint charter commission.
If a petition is filed pursuant to subsection 1, the municipal officers shall call and conduct a referendum to determine the willingness of the voters of the municipality to form a joint charter commission with the municipality or municipalities named in the petition. The referendum must be held at the next scheduled regular election that is held at least 90 days after the petition is filed. The question to be voted on at the referendum must be in substantially the following form: "Do you favor forming a joint charter commission to draft a consolidation agreement for the purpose of consolidating with ..................................................... (municipality or municipalities named in the petition)?" The consolidation agreement is not final unless approved by the voters of each municipality.
2.
Joint charter commission.
If a petition is filed as required under subsection 1 and a majority of those casting ballots pursuant to subsection 1‑A approve the referendum question in each municipality or if a majority of municipal officers vote to hold elections for a joint charter commission under section 2155, the 3 members of a joint charter commission must be elected at the next special or regular election in the manner provided for the election of municipal officers. The election of members by 2 or more municipalities authorizes the commission to draft the consolidation agreement. If a municipality does not elect members, it may not participate in the consolidation.
3.
Consolidation agreement.
The joint charter commission shall draft an agreement between the consolidating municipalities which includes:
4.
Submission of consolidation agreement.
The consolidation agreement shall be submitted to the voters of each municipality at a municipal election after notice and hearing as provided in paragraphs A and B. The consolidation agreement may be amended, provided that the amended agreement meets the notice and hearing requirements of paragraphs A and B. Upon approval of a majority of those voting in each of 2 or more municipalities, the consolidation agreement becomes effective, according to its terms, in those municipalities.

Legislative History

PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 398, §§1-3 (AMD).