Moving New Bedford mayor to a 4-year term to be voted on in November

The New Bedford Elections Office Head Manuel DeBrito confirmed to New Bedford Guide that the petitioners to bring the mayoral term in New Bedford from 2 years to 4 years has met the minimum 2,800 signatures required to show up as a ballot question on the November, 7, 2017. If passed, the 2019 election for New Bedford mayor would be a four year term.

The petitioners were President of Farland Corporation Christian Farland, President & CEO of the SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce Rick Kidder and John Markey.

Here is the wording on the petition:

I support placing the issue of whether the City should adopt Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43, Section 17C on the November 7, 2017 ballot. I understand that the question will determine whether or not a four year mayoral term should become the law beginning in 2019. I further understand that the specific question that will be placed the ballot shall be:

“Shall the term of office for the Mayor of the City of New Bedford be four years?”

Here is the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43, Section 17C:

Four Year Term Petition - Chapter 43 - Section 17C (1)