INVESTIGATION AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
PRESENT William P. Horan, Jr., Chair, Councillors Barbara Rossi (arrived 5:41 p.m.) and Donald H. Pitkin
ALSO Melody Currey, Mayor
PRESENT Michael Walsh, Finance Director
Scott Chadwick, Corporation Counsel
Marc Weinberg, Town Councillor
CALL TO ORDER
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 8, 2008 Meeting
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2008 meeting.
Motion carried 2/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
OLD BUSINESS
Non-compliance with Town Charter and Applicable State Statutes
Councillor Pitkin noted that in taking our Oath of Office we as Town Council members agreed to uphold the Town Charter and Town Code of Ordinances, and also that Municipal Charters are subordinate to State Statutes. Mr. Pitkin discussed the various points of his March 12, 2008 memorandum to Corporation Counsel Scott Chadwick, and took the position that the Town Charter is not being followed in various ways as outlined in his letter.
Corporation Counsel Scott Chadwick referenced his letter of February 16, 2007 to Councillor Pitkin referencing prior opinions by State’s Attorney James Thomas and former Corporation Counsel Janis Small opining that the Town Charter is not being violated by the specified actions referenced by Councillor Pitkin.
A general discussion of the Town Charter, the relevant Connecticut General Statutes, and the myriad of documents relevant to the issue from 2003 through the present was undertaken. Chair Horan recommended that Councillor Pitkin explain in a writing with specificity what conduct or lack of conduct he claims is violative of the Charter and/or statutes, and what conduct he believes needs to take place in those specific circumstances in order for there to be compliance with existing Charter provisions and statutes. This writing should be provided to the Committee members before the next Committee meeting, whereupon the Committee members will review same and have another meeting on October 28, 2008 to discuss the issue.
No further action taken at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adjourn at 6:21 p.m.
Motion carried 3/0.
C: Town Council
Mayor Currey
Michael Walsh, Finance Director
Scott Chadwick, Corporation Counsel
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