Charter Revision Commission
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
of
March 13, 2006
7:00 p.m.
East Windsor Town Hall, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook
I. Call Meeting to Order
Mr. Leborious called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook, CT.
II. Attendance
Present: Richard Leborious, Chairman, Edward Filipone, Kathy Bilodeau, Ralph Saunders, John Parda, Joe Roberts, Noreen Farmer, Cliff Nelson
Unable to attend: Peter Nevers (not scheduled)
III. Approval of Minutes: February 23, 2006
MOTION: To approve the minutes of February 23, 2006, as presented.
Made by Mr. Parda, seconded by Mr. Filipone
Vote: In favor: Leborious, Filipone, Bilodeau, Saunders, Parda, Roberts
Abstained: Farmer, Nelson
MOTION CARRIED.
IV. Added Agenda Items – None.
V. Public Participation
Ms. Linda Kehoe Chairman of the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission came before the Commission to discuss the recent discussions the Charter Revision Commission had regarding not splitting this agency into two commissions. Ms. Kehoe indicated she understood the Commission had opted not to split the current Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission into two Commission due to fears this would add another layer of government. She outlined that the Inland Wetland piece is a regulatory and the Conservation piece is advisory in nature, not adding another layer to already complex applications. The split will not delay applications. The Conservation Commission would address the open space plan which needs to be adopted pursuant to the Plan of Conservation and Development and advise the land use
agencies. Ms. Kehoe outlined the work of the Farmland Preservation Commission, which consisted mostly of farmers, and how the Conservation Commission can continue that work and be a more diverse group of people which will have terms filled by the Board of Selectmen, not a committee which ends after a certain time period when its charge has been met, thus having more teeth as an advisory Commission to the land use agencies in town. She asked that the Commission revisit their current stance on not splitting this Commission and split it as requested.
The Commission will discuss their position at the next meeting.
VI. Written Communications
Memo to Boards/Commissions/Department Heads for final input
The memo which was distributed was discussed. Mr. Nelson outlined that the ZBA had not suggestions for the Charter Revision Commission. The secretary went through all correspondence received from these agencies to refresh the Commission’s recollection.
VII. Continued Review of existing Charter and potential revision(s)
The previous stance of removing the Board of Finance was revisited and the consensus was that a Board of Finance will remain as part of the Charter, but its capacity may change slightly due to the incorporation of a Town Administrator. The Town has no Director of Finance, so the role of the Board of Finance is still a factor in East Windsor’s government and also the sense is a change of this magnitude will not be popular the residents. It is possible that as the position of the Town Administrator evolves and the residents become comfortable with the concept the elimination of the Board of Finance can be considered at some future date. Again, the consensus was to keep the Board of Finance.
The separation of the Board of Education and the General Town Budget was discussed at length. It was determined that the ultimate job is to balance all the needs of the community. It was the consensus of the Commission not to recommend splitting the Board of Education and the Town Side of the budgets.
The automatic referendum vote or budgets was discussed and if limiting the number of referendums was discussed, this will be revisited at the next meeting when drafting the financial piece. Mr. Leborious will provide the Commission with the Two draft Options for the financial piece.
General discussion also took place regarding the role of the Town Meeting in the budget process and language to be incorporated to allow a full town meeting with dialogue and testimony to take place before being prematurely adjourned and sent to referendum. This will be addressed at the next meeting.
VIII. Status of Scheduling Public Hearing
To be discussed upon completion of all chapters, potentially at the special meeting on March 18, 2006.
IX. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
Made by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Saunders
ALL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted
Cynthia D. Croxford
Recording Secretary
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