Minutes of the Charter Revision Commission Meeting held on Tuesday May 22, 2007 in the Old Court Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT.
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PRESENT: Al Cramer, Joan Plouffe, Joe Hemingway, Carolyn Signorelli, Guy Howard, Board of Education Chair Elaine McClure, Board of Education member Andrew Buzzi, three members of the public, one member of the press.
ABSENT: LeReine Frampton
Chairman Al Cramer called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
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ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Upon motion from Mr. Hemingway the minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting were accepted.
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
1. Board of Education Chair Elaine McClure expressed concern over allowing the Board of Selectmen to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education. She feels that the BOE is currently an autonomous group that does not act politically. The BOE members themselves would have the best sense of they type of replacement needed and she feels that the current system for replacements is the best.
2. Sarah Frampton read a prepared statement on behalf of Charter Commissioner LeReine Frampton (Attachment A).
3. Ruby Johnson, Chestnut Hill Rd. also expressed concern with allowing the Board of Selectmen to fill a vacant Board of Education seat. She feels that politics should not interfere with education. Ms. Johnson believes that the Water and Sewer Authority needs to be included in the Charter since they keep additional assessments collected and have accumulated a significant amount of money over the years.
4. Board of Education member Andrew Buzzi supports having the Board of Education fill their vacancies. He noted that the Board of Education, Board of Selectmen, and Legislative Council are all autonomous units that give checks and balances to government. When the BOE fills a vacancy it is only short term until the next election, and he feels that the members elected by residents to represent them should in turn have the responsibility of filling the vacancy.
5. Gary Davis-Charter Ridge Drive supports having the Board of Education fill their vacancies. He feels that long term strategic planning is important to the town. While different agencies are doing a good job in planning, there is currently no process to put it all together. Mr. Davis believes that a strategic planning body and a town planner should be included in the Charter.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Should the position of Town Planner be included in the Charter? Discussion and vote.
· Ms. Signorelli made a motion to include the position in the Charter. Commissioners Howard, Signorelli, and Plouffe in favor. Commissioners Cramer and Hemingway opposed. Motion denied.
2. Please note that the Water and Sewer Authority has withdrawn their request to be included in the Charter. Should this be accepted? Discussion and vote.
· Mr. Howard made a motion to include the group in the charter. Commissioners Howard, Signorelli, and Plouffe in favor. Commissioners Hemingway and Cramer opposed. Motion denied.
3. In Section 2-40 c should the Board of Education fill a vacancy on the Board or should the First Selectman with the approval of the Board of Selectmen fill the vacancy. Discussion and vote.
· No motion or action taken.
4. Should a Strategic Planning Committee be included in the Charter. Discussion and vote.
· Ms. Plouffe made a motion to include the committee in the Charter. Commissioners Signorelli, Plouffe, and Howard in favor. Commissioners Cramer and Hemingway opposed. Motion denied.
5. Old Business. The commissioners discussed bifurcation of the budget. Ms. Plouffe noted that there are many items that are tied together within the budgets like insurance and debt service and would be opposed to bifurcation. The other commissioners also expressed concerns over bifurcation of the budget.
6. New Business. Ms. Plouffe made a motion to change all language in the Charter to gender neutral. Motion unanimously carried.
NEXT MEETING: Public Hearing to be held Tuesday June 12, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Lower Meeting Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION- None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mr. Cramer adjourned the meeting at 8: 50 PM.
Patrick M. Kelley, Clerk
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