Councilman Wants to Leave

‘Best Practices’ Legacy

By John Voket

In these days of calls for ethical reform coming from seemingly every corner of the political arena, First District Republican Councilman Richard Recht thinks it is about time for Newtown to address how the town is training its elected and appointed officials.

Newtown already has an ethics commission. But Mr Recht, a former longtime human resources expert, is taking a step beyond the realm of addressing ethical issues once they are reported. He is in the early stages of creating a “best practices” manual that will serve as an orientation guideline for newly elected council members.

Mr Recht said the publication could prove effective in helping fledgling elected leaders understand everything from avoiding ethical lapses to explaining the process and responsibilities in negotiating municipal labor contracts. And if it is well received, he foresees the manual expanding to incorporate best practices chapters for the Board of Finance, the Board of Selectmen, maybe even the Board of Ethics.

“My interest stems primarily from being new to the council and new to service to our town government,” Mr Recht told The Bee in a recent interview. “I had a lot of volunteer, nonprofit, and church organizational experience, but when I came on to the [legislative] council, I was stuck.”

Mr Recht explained that for him, the learning curve was quite a challenge.

“There’s a lot to understand when you’re suddenly put in the position of helping to make decisions on behalf of thousands of people and taxpayers,” he said. “Just understanding the [charter mandated] interactions between the Board of Selectmen and all the other town boards and commissions is very complicated.”

As a new elected official, Mr Recht said he took his responsibilities very seriously, and he was eager to put his knowledge and experience to work. But Mr Recht said he felt ill equipped on occasion to handle some of those responsibilities.

He pointed out the recent school administrators’ contract process as an example.

“This was really the first time I had been involved, to the extent that I was, in a process like this,” he said. “But everybody on the other side of the table was well versed in what to do, and most had been through the process more than a few times.”

Mr Recht believes if there is at least some type of orientation information to help those volunteers on the town side of negotiations prepare for the process from the onset, the subsequent outcomes might be better for everyone involved.

“When you’re the new kid on the block, a best practices manual might be a great thing to refer to,” he said. “It could make life easier, and much less stressful.”

Mr Recht plans to start his research by consulting with town Finance Director Benjamin Spragg, and them expanding to include advice and information from many other experienced town officials, volunteers, even from other towns and the state agencies that interface with local organizations.

“All that needs to happen is a far reaching discussion toward developing an orientation plan for the entire realm of elected government,” he said.

In his business career, Mr Recht has seen the progressive benefits that best practices can bring. He formerly worked with industries including the American Can Company, the James River Paper Company, and the Eaton Corporation.

Mr Recht is certain that with the development of his orientation guide, more volunteers will eventually begin coming forward to serve in elected and appointed capacities.

“This kind of guide brings the new guy on the block up to speed on the most important aspects of their job. It will help the existing board and commission members because they’ll feel confident the new person is up to speed, and it will help the new person enjoy success in their position much more quickly than if they’re left to learn the job as they go,” Mr Recht said. “After I was elected to the council, I was able to get support and information, but it was more than six months before I really felt capable of participating on an equal level.”

Mr Recht’s idea for a best practices manual was well received by both First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, and Legislative Council Chairman William Rodgers.

“I’m all for it, it will help the people who want to serve,” Mr Rosenthal said.

“My understanding is that this will eventually become a full functioning users manual on how town government works,” Mr Rodgers said. “I’m completely in support of it.”