Charter Revision Commission Reviews The Role Of First Selectman

By Steve Bigham

The Charter Revision Commission has begun its review of the role of the first selectman in local government. Residents and some board members have spoken out in favor of a town manager form of government, while others are simply calling for added executive power to the first selectman. One member of the commission suggested abolishing the Board of Selectmen in favor of a professional administrator who would work directly for the first selectman.

“I think there is definitely a building consensus that the first selectman as CEO of the town does not have a lot of power under the present charter,” noted Charter Revision Commission Chairman Bill Sheluck. “Some feel that it is desirable that, going forward, that position should carry more direct power in order for the first selectman to make decisions in a more timely basis.”

Many regard the first selectman position to be very weak under the current charter, with most of the power resting in the hands of the Legislative Council. First Selectman Herb Rosenthal is expected to reiterate that sentiment as he meets with the charter panel later this week.

“I view it not from a power perspective, but from an accountability perspective,” Mr Rosenthal said. “It is hard for the voters to know who has the accountability for what happens. If the Charter Revision Commission does nothing else, it should try to eliminate the overlapping of authority between the council and Board of Selectmen.”

The first selectman believes the Legislative Council’s role should be solely financial, pointing out that its ability to initiate special appropriations now “usurps” the role of the executive branch.

Former First Selectman Frank DeLucia agrees. As he points out, the original council created in 1976 was supposed to involve itself more in the financial planning of the town and less with its administrative operations. However, a number of charter revisions have since increased the power of the council.

“We’ve gotten away from all that. The council has gotten involved in the administration of the town and other things that are the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen. I don’t see the planning that we once had,” Mr DeLucia said. “The current form of government is fine. It just needs to be fine tuned and roles need to be more clearly defined.”

Council Chairman Pierre Rochman believes the first selectman can be given more power simply by eliminating some of the “ambiguity” within the charter.

“I think the first selectman’s hands are tied partially due to some blurring of the lines between the Board of Selectmen and council. I have no problem giving the selectmen more authority, but we have to do it in such a way as to maintain the checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches,” he said.

Mr Rochman believes more power can be given to the first selectman without weakening the council. In the end, he said, the council will have the final say on financial issues.

“When we have arguments about who can do what, then nothing gets done properly and people perceive it as government running amuck,” Mr Rochman said, pointing to the Fairfield Hills issue as an example. “The problem is the roles just are not clear, and it has caused some tension even within the council because not everyone interprets the role of the council the same way.”

Last week, charter board member Al Cramer suggested abolishing the Board of Selectmen in favor of a professional administrator who would work directly for the first selectman. There was also talk about possibly giving the first selectman veto power over council decisions. Some suggested an increase in salary and a longer term.

Commission member George Caracciolo has been vocal in his support for a town manager form of government and has requested that a representative from the Town of Cheshire speak to the panel at an upcoming meeting. Cheshire – with similar demographics to Newtown – has a town manager.