More Democrats Sought For Charter Revision Commission

The Legislative Council is still looking for Newtown residents to serve on its official Charter Revision Commission, which will be charged with the task of looking at and making changes to the town’s governing document.

Council member Joe Borst said Wednesday that so far eight people had expressed interest in volunteering for the job.

Although the council is looking for nine members for the committee, it wants the committee’s makeup to be pretty much split down party lines. Mr Borst said that of the eight who have expressed interest, seven of them are Republicans.

“The response has been good, but we still need more people to volunteer, particularly democrats,” Mr Borst said.

Once the council approves the proposed Charter Revision Commission members, the task force will have 16 months to address the charter, according to state statutes. After that period, they must return to the council with their suggestions for revisions and improvements.

There are time concerns, as council members would like to see the commission’s work completed by election time 2001, approximately 16 months from now.

The council’s ad hoc committee on charter revision is currently interviewing interested residents. Anyone wanting to volunteer should call the First Selectman’s office, or Joe Borst at 426-4396.