Charter Panel Reaches A Final Consensus

On Recommended Changes

By Steve Bigham

The Charter Revision Commission reached final consensus on its recommendations for amendments to the town charter last Thursday night. Those changes will be open for discussion at a May 23 public hearing before being presented to the Legislative Council sometime in either late May or early June.

But still to be determined is whether or not the council will go along with the long list of proposed changes. Several members of the council have strongly opposed a proposal to strengthen the position of first selectman and have argued bitterly against a plan to create a Board of Finance. The council is empowered to decide whether to send the recommendations on to a vote by the general public.

The council and the charter panel appear to be on a collision course.

“Now that our work has essentially been completed, I would like to commend all the members of the Charter Revision Commission for their time and effort over these past several months,” noted Chairman Bill Sheluck this week. “Although we’ve worked hard over these past months, our most difficult task lies before us. We are committed to convincing the Legislative Council that our recommendations offer a sound blueprint for the management of town affairs for years to come.”

In an 11th hour decision, the commission went back on its original plan to recommend the first selectman’s term be increased from two to four years. The board had been criticized for even considering an extended term for first selectman. It also agreed to require a second budget referendum if the first referendum is defeated. Currently, a revised budget goes directly to a town meeting.

“A lot of people on the commission felt the people in town should have a second opportunity to vote on the budget after changes are made after an initial budget defeat,” the commission chairman said.

This week, the commission was scheduled to meet to discuss how best to communicate the reasoning behind its proposed changes prior to the public hearing. The Charter Revision Commission has gained respect around town for its determination to stay the course and appears ready to take its proposal all the way to the voters, even if it means going over the council’s head, which would require a petition drive.

Last week, the commission voted on an overall plan, choosing to avoid individual votes.

Under the general heading of Executive Branch, the board voted to eliminate the Board of Selectmen and grant veto power to the first selectman, except if the budget is defeated at the first referendum. In that case, the budget would go back to the council, but the first selectman would not be able to veto the budget when presented again. The council could override a veto with eight affirmative votes. In addition, the first selectman would be required to submit a long-term strategic plan and update the plan each year in a “state of the town” message to citizens of Newtown.

With respect to removal powers, the charter would have no mention of having to remove a person “with or without cause” and there would be no prior notice of termination. An employee would have the right to appeal a dismissal before three members of the Legislative Council.

The charter would also give the first selectman full right of participation at council meetings, but with no voting power.

In the Legislative branch, the board opted to retain the 12-member council, but to change to three positions for each district and three at-large. The council will not be able to initiate special and emergency appropriations. The first selectman or the Board of Education would have this authority. It would, however, be empowered to approve legal expenses over budgeted amounts.

The commission has recommended that the annual town meeting be eliminated. A town meeting would be held to approve special appropriations above $500,000 and up to $2 million. Anything over $2 million would require a referendum.

And finally, the commission voted in favor of creating a six-member Board of Finance to be elected for staggered four-year terms. It also redesigned the annual budget process to provide two public hearings earlier in the process.

Commission members say they feel strongly and believe in the changes they are recommending and will work hard to ensure their implementation.

“We believe that the changes we are recommending, while appearing to be dramatic in nature, are actually very simple and straightforward,” Mr Sheluck said. “The creation of a Board of Finance in essence replaces the Board of Selectmen to some degree and ensures that the financial affairs of the town are monitored on a continuous basis by a body that is independent of the Legislative Council. The addition of veto power for the first selectman is not a unique concept in government and it allows for a more level playing field between the first selectman’s office and the legislative branch of government.”

The new system, Mr Sheluck says, had it already been in place, might have helped the town avoid the awkward debate it currently finds itself in over the proposed purchase of Fairfield Hills and construction of a 5/6 school.

“If we had an independent Board of Finance, there is every possibility that we would not be having this debate now about how much money we should spend on Fairfield Hills without knowing where that money will be spent,” he explained. “The Board of Finance would have been taking a very close look at this and more than likely would have required a more accurate documentation of dollars to be spent on Fairfield Hills before asking the public to approve those expenditures.”

Under the present structure, financial issues are addressed for the most part by the finance subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

“If they unanimously support a certain option and have the support of the chair of the council, then only one more vote is needed to pass whatever conclusions they have reached. Under our scenario, their role would be independent in a separate entity – the Board of Finance. Then, their decisions would be reviewed by a 12-person body. It is clear to me that that kind of a process allows for a more complete disclosure of the issues to the people of Newtown. And it allows the people to assign accountability to those people making decisions on their behalf,” Mr Sheluck explained.

The May 23 public hearing will take place in the lecture room at Newtown High School at 7:30 pm.