TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
November 13, 2008
***** Draft Document - Subject to Commission Review *****
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Co-Chairman George Butenkoff in the Town Hall Meeting Room, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook, CT.
ATTENDANCE/(Establishment of Quorum):
Present: Co-Chairman George Butenkoff, Members Donald Arcari, Claire Badstubner, Karen Gaudreau, Joyce Phillips, Scott Riach, Charles Riggott, and Bonnie Yosky.
Absent: Co-Chairman John Matthews, Edward Farrell, and Madeleine Thompson.
Guests: Kathy Pippin, representing the Board of Finance.
A quorum was established with the presence of eight members. Co-Chairman Butenkoff chaired the meeting this evening.
ADDED AGENDA ITEMS:
MOTION: To ADD review of the 2009 Meeting Schedule.
Philips moved/Gaudreau seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
The Commission noted their tenure does not continue through the end of the year, but decided to accept the dates as proposed, and cancel the dates not needed.
MOTION: To ACCEPT the 2009 Meeting Dates as proposed.
Badstubner moved/Yosky seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES/comments and acceptance:
MOTION: To ACCEPT the Minutes of October 23, 2008 as amended.
Riach moved/Yosky seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - The public is encouraged to provide their thoughts as succinct as possible. CRC Members will not comment on the merits of an idea at this meeting but may ask questions to clarify the proposal. A time limit may be imposed.
No one requested to speak.
WRITTEN INPUT SUBMITTED TO CRC: None
ADMINISTRATIVE HOUSEKEEPING/(a): None.
REVIEW OF CRC MEMBERS input for proposed revisions:
See discussion below on proposed charter changes.
DISCUSSION OF TOP 5/(a) Update on request to First Selectman regarding legal review of charter changes.
The Recording Secretary advised the Commission First Selectman Menard has contacted an attorney to review the Commission’s work. First Selectman Menard hoped the attorney might be available to meet with the Commission at the next meeting.
Commissioner Yosky and Commissioner Badstubner have suspended their work on the ordinance while awaiting discussion with the attorney.
DISCUSSION OF TOP 5/(b) Review of present charter, and currently proposed changes, Chapters 6 and 7 for review of consistency, clarity, and compatibility.
CHAPTER 6: APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Section 6-1: Appointments (Page 19)
CHANGE: None.
Section 6-2: Vacancies, Subsection A (Page 19)
CHANGE: Delete specific CGS title; leave general reference: Connecticut General Statutes ‘9-1a.
This is a housekeeping item; the consensus of the Commission is in favor of this proposed change. No vote was taken.
Section 6-3: Removal of Appointed Officials (Page 20)
CHANGE: None.
Section 6-4: Director of Health (Or Regional Agency) (Page 20)
CHANGE: None
Section 6-5: Town Counsel (Pages 20 and 21)
CHANGE: None
Section 6-6: Town Engineer (Page 22)
CHANGE: None
The Commission discussed that this is no longer an contractor on retainer; this is now a
paid position subject to specific requirements. No vote was taken on a language revision or moving the position to the Appointed Officials Chapter.
Section 6-7: Town Treasurer (Page 22):
CHANGE: None initially; see below.
The Commission discussed the intent of the Town with regarding to filling the current Treasurer’s position with expanded duties vs. hiring, as an additional position, a Chief Financial Official. See additional comments under Section 6-9; after further review the Commission proposed the following change to Section 6-7, Town Treasurer:
CHANGE: Sub-section B, strike the second sentence…….”The Town Treasurer may appoint and man removal all Assistant Town Treasurers and other employees subject to approval of the Board of Selectmen, and subject to such rules and regulations covering town employees as may be adopted by the Board of Selectmen.”
No changes were voted on for this section.
Section 6-8: NEW SECTION – Finance Director (Pages 22-23):
CHANGE: None
Section 6-9: Tax Collector (Pages 23 and 24):
The Commission discussed there is no provision in the Connecticut General Statutes for a position of Assistant Tax Collector or Assistant Treasurer; there is no appointment authority by the primary employee to hire assistants. Duties followed regarding the duties of this position, especially when the person filling the primary position is absent. It was noted the Treasurer can appoint a Deputy Treasurer- see change now proposed under Section 6-9, Subsection B above. The Commission proposed the following change:
CHANGE: Sub-section B, strike the second sentence……”The Tax Collector may appoint and may remove all Assistant Tax Collectors and other employees subject to approval of the Board of Selectmen, and subject to such rules and regulations covering town employees s may be adopted by the Board of Selectmen.”
No changes were voted on for this section
Section 6-10: Assessor (Page 24):
CHANGE: Sub-section B, strike the second sentence……”The Town Assessor may appoint and may remove all Assistant Town Assessors and other employees subject to approval of the Board of Selectmen, and subject to such rules and regulations covering town employees s may be adopted by
the Board of Selectmen.”
No changes were voted on for this section
Section 6-11: Town Clerk (Page 23):
CHANGE: Sub-section B, strike the second sentence……”The Town Clerk may appoint and may remove all Assistant Town Clerks and other employees subject to approval of the Board of Selectmen, and subject to such rules and regulations covering town employees s may be adopted by
the Board of Selectmen.”
No changes were voted on for this section
Commissioner Gaudreau indicated she would like to add a section regarding the position of Registrar of Vital Statistics. Discussion followed regarding the placement of the additional language, either as Sub-section D under Section 6-11, or as a new section under Appointed Officials. Commissioner Gaudreau to research the recommendation further and report back to the Commission.
Section 6-12: Other Appointed Officials (Page 25 and Page 26:
NO CHANGE: Tree Warden, Building Code Enforcement Official(s), Town Planner, Welfare Officer, Human Services Coordinator.
COMMISSIONER GAUDREAU RESEARCHING CHANGES TO:
1) Conservation/Inland-Wetlands Official(s) – position has been expanded to include Zoning Enforcement Official.
2) Town Planner
3) Civil Preparedness Director – position is now known as Emergency Management Director.
4) Welfare Officer and Human Services Coordinator – researching if these positions have been combined.
CHANGE: Spelling of Fire Marshal
No changes were voted on for this section
CHAPTER VII: BOARDS AUTHORITIES, COMMISSIONS, AND ASSOCIATIONS:
Section 7-1: General Powers and Procedures, Records (Page 26 and 27)
CHANGE: None
Section 7-2: Eligibility (Page 27)
CHANGE: None
Section 7-3: Vacancies (Page 27)
CHANGE: None
Section 7-4: Appointed Boards and Commissions (Page 27 and 28):
NO CHANGE: Building Code Board of Appeals; Economic Development Commission; Elderly Commission, Ethics Commission, Housing Authority, Park and Recreation Commission, Water Pollution Control Authority.
BEING RESEARCHED: Cemetery Association
CHANGE: Civil Preparedness Advisory Council to Emergency Management Commission; Conservation Commission to Conservation Commission/Inland-Wetlands Commission.
DELETE: Land Management Advisory Committee.
ADD: Planning and Zoning Commission (added back from previous change); Building Committee; Veterans Commission; Historical Preservation Commission; Natural Resources Preservation Commission.
CHANGE: None
No votes were taken on these proposed changes.
The Commission suspended consideration of further changes on Chapter VII until various Commissioners report back on their findings.
BRAINSTORM FOR ADDITIONAL ITEMS, NO COUNTER POINTS:
Nothing new presented.
2nd PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: No one requested to speak.
GUIDANCE FOR NEXT MEETING:
1) Review chapters VI and VII again and consider voting on changes.
ADJOURN:
MOTION: To ADJOURN this Meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Yosky moved/Gaudreau seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________________________________________________
Peg Hoffman, Recording Secretary, East Windsor Charter Revision Commission
FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION:
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