CHARTER REVISION COMMITTEE

TOWN HALL

June 20, 2006    7:30 PM

 

Present: Chair Alyson Vecchiarelli, Vice Chair Jordan Chatis, members Bill Kirkpatrick, and Janet Starr, Brad Pellissier

 

Call to Order: Chair Alyson Vecchiarelli called the meeting to order at 6:45.

 

Preparation for Public Hearing: The commission divided up the task of explaining at the public hearing the rationale for each of the proposed changes.

 

A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to review the minutes from the previous meeting at this time.

 

Approval of Minutes:  The minutes of 6/13/06 were approved, with Starr, Kirkpatrick, and Chatis voting aye and Pellissier abstaining.

 

Recess to Public Hearing:  A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to adjourn to the public hearing.

 

Motion to Close the Public Hearing:  A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to close the public hearing and reconvene the meeting of the Charter Revision Commission.

 

Discussion of Feedback from Public Hearing:

1.  Section 2.1(b)   The change now contemplated gives the elective board 30 days to find someone of the same party, but no additional time to find someone of any party or non-affiliated, as the Selectmen would step in after 30 days to fill the vacancy.

            A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to make the following changes:

• Move the sentence stating, “If a person vacating an elective board was elected as a member of a political party, the vacancy shall be filled by a member of the same political party” from section 2.1(b) to section 2.5(b).

• Add Board of Assessors to the list of boards in 2.5(b). 

Section 2.5(b) would read as follows:  A vacancy occurring on the Board of Education, Board of Finance, Board of Assessors, or Library Board shall be filled by a vote of the remaining members.  If the person vacating an elective board was elected as a member of a political party, the vacancy shall be filled by a member of the same political party.  If the vacancy is not filled within thirty days from the time the office become vacant, the Board of Selectmen within thirty additional days shall fill the vacancy by appointment.

 

2.  Section 5.3              The change now contemplated in 5.3 uses the phrase “can be found,” which is vague.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to make the following change:

• Replace “can be found” with “is appointed.”

Section  5.3 would read as follows:  If a person vacating an appointive board or commission was appointed as a member of political party, the vacancy shall be filled by a member of the same political party; or if no such person is appointed within 30 days, the vacancy may be filled by any eligible person so long as the number of any one political party does not exceed the number prescribed by the general statutes.

3.  Section 5.2              The change now contemplated in 5.2(a) makes the starting date for appointive boards December 22nd.  At present December 22nd is being used as the ending date.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to make the following change:

•  Replace “21” with “22” and “22” with “23.”

Section 5.2 would read as follows:  The terms of appointment to any appointive board shall not exceed six years and shall commence on December 23rd following appointment by the Board of Selectmen; and shall expire on December 22nd at the end of the term of appointment.

 

4. Chapter 5                 The change now contemplated uses the term “outside individual,” which is vague.  It also leaves to interpretation the question of who will reappoint the treasurer and tax collector at the end of their terms.  The two-year term leaves both Treasurer and Tax Collector unclear about their future job security as the time for reappointment nears.  

A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to make the following changes:

• From… There shall be a Treasurer serving a term of two years.  The Treasurer shall act as Director of Finance…

To… There shall be a Treasurer serving a term of two years renewable annually by a panel of the same composition as the one required by this charter to appoint the position.  The Treasurer shall act as Director of Finance…

• From… There shall be a Collector of Taxes serving a term of two years.  The Collector of Taxes shall perform all duties…

To… There shall be a Collector of Taxes serving a term of two years renewable annually by a panel of the same composition as the one required by this charter to appoint the position. The Collector of Taxes shall perform all duties…

• From… “and one outside individual”

To… “one non-elected individual”

Sections of Chapter concerning appointment of Treasurer and Collector of Taxes would read as follows:

            “…shall be appointed by a panel comprised of two members of the Board of Finance, one member of the Board of Selectmen, and one non-elected individual with a background in finance.

 

Discussion/Finalization of Work:  The Commission will meet on Monday, July 10th at 6:45 to finalize the Draft Report.

 

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bill Kirkpatrick

Secretary