To place a question to be voted on onto the ballot that will commit the city to a financial obligation, a petition will need to be filed with the City Clerk with at least 10% of registered city voters' signatures. This number is roughly 600, but changes frequently. It is advised to collect enough signatures to provide for a margin of error. Sample petition language is available at https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/Elections%20Division/election%20info%20and%20resources/town%20meeting%20and%20local%20elections/local%20petitions/sample_binding_article.pdf
To place a question to be voted on onto the ballot that is advisory in nature, a petition will need to be filed with the City Clerk with at least 5% of registered city voters' signatures. This number is roughly 300, but changes frequently. It is advised to collect enough signatures to provide for a margin of error. Sample petition language is available at https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/Elections%20Division/election%20info%20and%20resources/town%20meeting%20and%20local%20elections/local%20petitions/advisory_article.pdf
The deadline to file petitions with the clerk's office is 5:00 PM, Thursday January 26th.