Council/Charter Revision Confrontations Are Not New

By Steve Bigham

Ten years ago, the town’s Charter Revision Commission found itself recommending a change to the town charter that was not popular with the Legislative Council. The current charter panel seems to have put itself in a similar position.

In 1991, the commission was requested to re-think its proposal to reduce the council from 18 to 12 members. The Legislative Council at that time sought to maintain the status quo and explained that an 18-member board provided for more diverse viewpoints. It also helped lighten the workload, members said.

Frustrated by what it felt was an unyielding attitude on the part of the council, the Charter Revision Commission forged ahead, disregarding what the council had said. It felt strongly that the larger council was too cumbersome and counter-productive and made it difficult to come up with enough good candidates.

In the end, the Legislative Council voted 7-5 to allow the voters the opportunity to decide for themselves, at a referendum. And voters eventually did approve the reduction of the council membership from 18 members to 12. The 12-member council went into effect December 1, 1993, and has remained that way ever since.

The potential impact and scope of the charter changes of 1991 pale in comparison to the changes the Charter Revision Commission is now proposing. The current board has given the town charter a major overhaul, seeking to regain a balance of power in local government. The changes include a stronger first selectman (with veto power), the elimination of the Board of Selectmen, and the creation of a Board of Finance, which would be charged with working with the selectman and council.

Those proposed changes are now before the Legislative Council for review and early indications show that some members have strong reservations. Some have viewed the Board of Finance as a threat to the current system, which gives the council sole and final say on financial matters. Members have indicated opposition to a stronger first selectman, as well. The recommended changes can be vetoed by the council before they reach the November ballot and several members say they intend to do just that. However, the Charter Revision Commission does have the right to petition the proposed changes onto the ballot, a move that has been made by past Charter Revision Commissions.

This week, Charter Revision Commission Chairman Bill Sheluck wasn’t talking about petition drives, however. Instead, he was focused on working with the council to come up with the very best plan for the future government of Newtown. His board has resolved to make every effort to gain consensus. For now, it’s just a waiting game, though.

“We’re awaiting an initial response from the council with respect to our recommendations. We are prepared to meet with them at any time to discuss our proposals,” he said Tuesday. “We understand the council has tentatively scheduled a public hearing for July 11. We would hope that people will attend that hearing and voice their opinion with respect to our proposed changes.”

The Legislative Council has 15 days from the date of the hearing to respond to the commission. That means the commission should hear back from the council by late July. The charter panel will then have 30 days to consider the council’s responses before making its next move. From there, the panel’s final recommendations will go back to the council for a final vote.

“We’re probably making the most extensive recommendations in recent years,” Mr Sheluck said. “We believe the timing is right. The town is ready to embark on what we believe is a dramatic period of growth, exemplified by the votes at the last town meeting. We believe the structure of town government has to be sufficient to support that growth and allow for efficient and effective decision making.”