Governor seeks to align Pittsfield four-year terms with 2031 mayoral election

The governor asks lawmakers to amend the returned bill so the first election for four-year terms happens with the November 2031 mayoral election. The message concerns elected Pittsfield city councilors and school committee members, whose terms the bill would increase from two years to four years. Pittsfield voters must approve the charter amendment before the term changes take effect. The charter amendment must be submitted to voters at the next city election, scheduled for 2027. If approved, the term changes would otherwise take effect for the 2029 election cycle; the governor recommends that the first four-year election take place in November 2031.