An online petition has been launched to save the Corporation of Hamilton.

City Hall has set up a website at www.saveourcitybermuda.org which urges citizens to "speak up," "get involved" and "take action now" to stop Government closing down the municipality.

"A government takeover is undemocratic," the website states. "A takeover means that our voices will not be heard and we will lose our voting rights to elect city officials. We need to take action and save our voice!"

The petition is in response to Government's plans to reform the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's.

It was announced last month that consultants would be paid $800,000 to draft a review of both municipalities and implement changes.

Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling said last night: "While Government hires US consultants at an initial fee of $800,000 of taxpayer dollars to help plan a takeover of the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's, they have failed to be open about what their true mandate is with the very citizens who elected them to office."

The request for proposals for the contract which appeared in the Official Gazette last June said Cabinet had decided that the "most practical, efficient and effective reform would be to repeal the Municipalities Act 1923 and transition the operations of the municipalities into the relevant government departments".

Cabinet Minister Walter Roban, who is responsible for the reform, has since denied that Government plans to shut down the two entities.

Mr. Gosling said yesterday: "Government has not been forthcoming with the public and continues to release contradictory statements that only results in misinformation and confusion.

"The team that Hamilton taxpayers and residents elected to serve them at City Hall continues to operate in an open and inclusive manner with transparency and accountability.

"We feel it is our responsibility to keep the Hamilton community informed of Government's true intentions and through the website we provide a platform from which constituents can voice their opinions and sign a petition opposing a takeover."

He added: "This is the time to expand the vote and embrace the positive changes taking place in city government.

"It is more important than ever that the Hamilton community visit the website and speak up. We look forward to working with the Hamilton community to protect Bermuda's voices and Bermuda's city."

Less than 375 people voted in the last Corporation of Hamilton election, held in July, representing a turnout of almost 80 percent. The majority of those on the municipal register are business owners.

The Corporation of Hamilton recommended to Government in 2008 that every adult living in Hamilton be allowed to vote in city elections. About 725 residents of the capital are registered to vote in general elections.

Mr. Roban did not respond to a request for comment.