3:45
There are four charter changes proposed for the Town Meeting Day ballot that Burlington city councilors had to approve at this week’s meeting in order for the measures to advance to a public hearing process before being voted on March 2.
Councilors spent hours debating and amending each charter change proposal. The most controversial, sponsored by Central District Progressive Perri Freeman, would create a seven-member independent community board with the power to investigate and discipline police. “I really strongly believe that this model and this proposal that we put forward is the right step. I think accountability is really important in what we’re doing to eliminate and mitigate police violence. It’s a really, really crucial part of this equation having a strong oversight model is something that really need as a community.”