Politics & Government
Is Chelmsford Becoming A City?
Chelmsford, England became one in 2012, and Bob Joyce said one warrant article could turn Chelmsford into a city. Is he right or not? Or is Chelmsford already a city in all but name?
Near the end of the second night of Town Meeting on Thursday night, Planning Board member and Town Meeting Representative Bob Joyce said Article 16 should be taken very carefully, as it could make the difference between Chelmsford being a town or a city.
Today we want to ask: "wait, should Chelmsford be a city?"
In the state of Massachusetts, size isn't the main factor determining cities, as North Adams in Western Massachusetts is over the 12,000 resident minimum population to become a city under the Massachusetts State Constitution, while Framingham with 68,000 people is still a town.
The main difference is the presence of a mayor instead of a town meeting, with six possible options for municipalities to follow if they want to become cities.
Chelmsford wouldn't even be the the first Chelmsford to become a city, as Chelmsford, England (pop. 168,310) became one in 2012. However, over there the designation is mainly ceremonial outside of possible prestige for local businesses and catching up with the local soccer team, who has used "city" in their name since 1938.
What do you think? Should Chelmsford call itself a town or a city?
And what impact would Article 16 have, which if passed, would provide incentives and streamlined processes for redeveloping and reusing buildings for new purposes?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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