In Newton Falls, there are continued efforts to adjust the village's current charter.

The charter review commission met with the public Tuesday to share their recommendations of what to change in the current language.  

With most of these changes directed at city council, the charter review committee said these amendments will substantially bring more clarity to the public and village officials.

"That charter is the founding document that our government is based on," said John Richards, Chairman of the Newton Falls Charter Review Commission.

With more than a dozen proposed amendments under this year's mandated charter review, Newton Falls is looking to make adjustments to the village's current charter language by tweaking certain processes and procedures and adding more detailed information.

"We want the citizens to trust that document," Richards said. "So, you need checks and balances and you need clear instruction, clear rules."

Out of the 15 proposed, one states any vacant council positions may be filled within 45 days by a majority vote of the remaining Councilmen. This aims to avoid previous conflicts.

"We went beyond those timelines and did not fill the position," Richards said. "And the problem with that is, you have a ward, 1/4 of the city who had no representation."

"Enforcing the words, 'shall,' 'must' and a definite timeline is the best way to make sure none of the citizens go without representation in their ward," said Julie Lemon with the Newton Falls Charter Review Commission.

Also, when the council votes to remove an elected official, there must be a super-majority vote of 4/5 instead of the current 3/5.

"A removal is actually overturning an election and so serious reasons a person should be removed," Richards explained. 

Some residents in the crowd were concerned if these amendments were passed, there still might not be enforcement on village officials to follow through. 

Other changes include each council member having their items of interest listed on the council agenda. This means no one can sensor what issues are discussed at meetings.

"You should be able to put your thoughts, programs and concerns on the agenda if you're a city council member," Richards said. 

Adjustments to the council, the law department and commission and boards, all in efforts to provide more clarity in the village charter.

In 2022, four of the seven amendments were approved by voters on the November ballot. 

These new 2023 recommendations will now go on November's ballot once council votes to send the changes to the Trumbull County Board of Elections for review.

Council does not have the power to adjust the language in the amendments.