Voters Will Decide The Future Of The Board Of Selectmen

By Steve Bigham

The town’s Board of Selectmen-form of government may soon be a thing of the past. Voters will have the final say on Election Day in November.

Last week, the Legislative Council approved the Charter Revision Commission’s proposal to eliminate the Board of Selectmen. If approved by voters, the Board of Selectmen will be disbanded in January, 2004.

Charter Revision Commission members believe the Board of Selectmen tends to limit the first selectman’s flexibility in responding quickly to administrative problems. It also dilutes the first selectman’s authority to act as the town’s chief elected official, they say. Others add that the Board of Selectmen’s role has already been minimized to the point where it does little more than approve driveway bonds.

Under the proposal, the first selectman would be retained and would work directly with the Legislative Council and – if approved by voters – the Board of Finance.

The Charter Revision Commission also proposed the creation of a Board of Finance to assist in the town’s long-term financial planning. The council turned down that idea, however. A petition drive is now underway in an effort to override the council and to get the “Board of Finance” question on to the ballot (see related story).

Many town officials have supported the elimination of the Board of Selectmen. There are some, however, who have reservations about losing the Board of Selectmen, including current selectmen Bill Brimmer and Joe Bojnowski. They believe the board plays a key role in working with the first selectman on key issues facing the town. Mr Brimmer used Fairfield Hills as an example of the selectman helping to make a difference by circulating ideas at meetings.

“But I do have to go along with the idea of a stronger first selectman,” Mr Brimmer said. “If this is part of a bigger plan, then so be it. It’s a move in the right direction.”

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said he has been lucky enough to work with Mr Brimmer and Mr Bojnowski the past four years.

“I was not a proponent of doing away with the Board of Selectmen. The last four years we’ve done well. I found it to be positive because Bill and Joe have both worked for the best interest of the town. The selectmen act as a sounding board before taking things to the council and it’s not just me going to the council. I have two allies,” Mr Rosenthal said. “However, I can see that hasn’t always been the case. There have been times when the board didn’t function all that well.”

Mr Bojnowski agreed.

“My experience has been very positive. I think in the last four years we have done a lot of good work with regard to the budget, Fairfield Hills, highway, a whole variety of issues. I think the current form of government is working very well in Newtown,” he said.

The Board Of Selectmen’s Swan Song: A 3-Way Race

This year’s election may be the last to feature a race for the Board of Selectmen. It features six men seeking to fill three slots. It is believed to be the first time that has ever happened in Newtown.

The list includes Democratic incumbent first selectman Herb Rosenthal, Republican challenger Owen Carney, and NICE Party candidate Barry Piesner. Democratic Selectman Joe Bojnowski hopes to return to his seat as does Republican Selectman Bill Brimmer. NICE Party selectman candidate is Richard Haas.