BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S
CHARTER REVISION PUBLIC HEARING
May 18, 2009 Minutes
The public hearing was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the East Windsor Town Hall.
Fourteen people were in attendance.
Bonnie Yosky gave a brief overview of the Charter Revision Committee’s proposal.
Carla Schultz, 9 Lindsay Lane, 2% limit will decimate the Town. East Windsor needs the ability to increase taxes. Suggestions: automatic referendums should only be required if budget increase is more than the cost of living, think about 15% of voters needed to pass a referendum, have referendums on Saturday to accommodate all residents.
Marie DeSousa, 10 Rice Road, agrees with Ms. Schultz comments. 2% is not enough, would tie the hands of the Board of Finance. Suggestions: any expense/bonding of more than $700,000 or $1 million should require referendum approval, Saturday referendum are ok, hours for Referendums need to stay as the Charter presently has it from 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Gerilynn Corso, 23 Lindsay Lane, agrees with Ms. DeSousa and Ms. Schultz, 2% cap will force the Town to be stagnant.
Gilbert Hayes, 143 Rye Street, referendums are ok, suggests cost of living as the spending cap. Referendums should be required for more than $1,000,000. He agreed with the suggestion that 15% voter turn out for a budget to pass is a good idea, also agrees with having the referendums on Saturday’s.
Karen Gaudreau, Charter Revision Committee Member, 167 Depot Street, scheduling referendums on Saturday’s will cost in overtime.
George Butenkoff, Charter Revision Committee Member, 169 Wells Road, advocates the proposed revisions, read preamble.
Bonnie Yosky, Charter Revision Committee Member, 7 Yosky Road stated that the Charter Revision Committee has tried to compromise while addressing many different points of view.
The Public Hearing concluded at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Menard
First Selectman
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