"The City Charter is comparable to the Constitution of the United States or a state's constitution. The charter is, therefore, the most important legal document of any city" according to the National League of Cities. There are six types of city governments in Massachusetts, Plan A, B, C, D, E and F. Medford is currently under Plan A with a 27-year incumbent going into his 28th year in office. Too much power for one man over too long a period of time.