Hopkinton council votes to ratify November 5 charter amendments for state-level recognition
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Summary
The Hopkinton Town Council adopted a resolution to request ratification by the General Assembly of the Home Rule Charter amendments approved by voters on Nov. 5, 2024. Councilors said ratification gives charter changes the same status as state statute; the motion passed by recorded voice vote.
The Hopkinton Town Council on May 5 voted to adopt a resolution asking the Rhode Island General Assembly to ratify charter amendments approved by voters on Nov. 5, 2024.
A councilor moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried on voice vote with the record showing "Davis, aye; Roy, aye; Burns, aye." Town officials explained that ratification gives the charter amendments a status equivalent to state statute, providing additional legal recognition if the town charter ever conflicts with state law.
The council discussed why ratification is a common practice even when amendments are already effective after voter approval. One councilor summarized that while the amendments have been effective since approval, formal ratification provides an added level of recognition if conflicts arise with state statutes. No legal objections to sending the resolution forward were recorded.
The council approved sending the resolution to the General Assembly for ratification; no further conditions or implementation steps were recorded on the May 5 meeting record.