EAST PALESTINE — An organizational meeting of the 2026 Charter Review Commission will held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Municipal Building with a chair chosen and followup meeting scheduled.

The Charter Review Commission is a group of residents appointed by the mayor to review the village’s charter, which is the foundational governing document for how the municipality operates.

This review happens every five years to look for outdated language, procedural issues, or areas needing modernization.

After members meet publicly to go through the village charter section by section, discussing whether any parts should be updated or amended, recommendations are compiled for approval by Village Council.

Voters then cast ballots on the proposed changes.

The review is part of a recurring process that happens roughly every five years to ensure the Charter stays current and functional for village government.