Charter Hearing

Set Nov. 30

By Steve Bigham

Democratic government does not always run like clockwork, and the nation is becoming acutely aware of that as it follows events in Florida. But as it prepares to tune up the inner workings of Newtown’s government, the town’s Charter Revision Commission is hoping to enlist the help of the public in ensuring that local government ticks right along in the years to come.

Next week, the public is invited to play a role in helping to create a better local government for Newtown by attending a hearing on the town’s current form of government.

The hearing will be at 8 pm, Thursday, November 30, at the Newtown Middle School auditorium on Queen Street. It is being put on by the 12-member Charter Revision Commission, which was recently created to study the current form of government to see if any changes need to be made. Its members are counting on the voices of others to help guide them during this very important project.

The commission began preliminary analysis of the town charter last month. State law, however, requires the commission to hold a public hearing prior to beginning any substantive discussion.

“We encourage everyone to attend that can attend and to bring with them their own thoughts and ideas about how the town of Newtown should be managed going forward. No idea is too outrageous or frivolous,” noted commission chairman Bill Sheluck.

Last month, the 12-member commission began its task of reviewing the Newtown charter. It has indicated that it will strive to get the public involved in the process as much as possible.

“Our goal is to get the public involved to the greatest extent possible,” Mr Sheluck said. “If we don’t do that, I think people will get the impression that these are 12 people who met in a room by themselves without a feeling for any other opinions.”

The commission, which meets every Thursday night at 7 pm at Town Hall South, has set a tentative timeline for completion by Memorial Day, 2001, which is little more than six months away.