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Got a question? Try Ask the MMA Is there a difference between an alderman and a councillor?
Q: Is there a difference between an alderman and a councillor?
A: The distinction is insignificant in 48 of the 49 Massachusetts communities with a city form of government, five of which have boards of aldermen as the legislative body. Over time the term alderman has come to refer to members of a city council and in most cases has been replaced by councillor in Massachusetts. Historically, boards of aldermen were greater in size than common councils. The titular change to councillor in most cities reflects the preference for smaller councils as opposed to larger boards of aldermen. The cities of Chicopee, Melrose, Newton, Somerville and Woburn have both at-large and ward-elected aldermen. In the past aldermen were elected by wards only. The distinction is significant, however, in Everett, which is the only city in the United States with a bicameral legislative body—a Common Council of 18 members and a Board of Aldermen of seven members. According to state law (M.G.L. Ch. 39, Sect. 5), the president of a board of aldermen assumes mayoral duties in a mayor’s absence in a common council comprising both aldermen and councillors. In the president’s absence, power descends through the ranks of aldermen before it would go to councillors. The 49 communities in Massachusetts with a city form of government have the following structures: 34 have a mayor-council system; five have mayor-aldermen; five have council-manager; four have mayor-council-manager; and one has mayor-council-aldermen. There is one additional community with a council; the town of Greenfield has a Town Council and a Board of Selectmen.
Got a question? Try Ask the MMA Is there a difference between an alderman and a councillor?
Is there a difference between an alderman and a councillor?
Q: Is there a difference between an alderman and a councillor?
A: The distinction is insignificant in 48 of the 49 Massachusetts communities with a city form of government, five of which have boards of aldermen as the legislative body. Over time the term alderman has come to refer to members of a city council and in most cases has been replaced by councillor in Massachusetts. Historically, boards of aldermen were greater in size than common councils. The titular change to councillor in most cities reflects the preference for smaller councils as opposed to larger boards of aldermen. The cities of Chicopee, Melrose, Newton, Somerville and Woburn have both at-large and ward-elected aldermen. In the past aldermen were elected by wards only. The distinction is significant, however, in Everett, which is the only city in the United States with a bicameral legislative body—a Common Council of 18 members and a Board of Aldermen of seven members. According to state law (M.G.L. Ch. 39, Sect. 5), the president of a board of aldermen assumes mayoral duties in a mayor’s absence in a common council comprising both aldermen and councillors. In the president’s absence, power descends through the ranks of aldermen before it would go to councillors. The 49 communities in Massachusetts with a city form of government have the following structures: 34 have a mayor-council system; five have mayor-aldermen; five have council-manager; four have mayor-council-manager; and one has mayor-council-aldermen. There is one additional community with a council; the town of Greenfield has a Town Council and a Board of Selectmen.
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