Charter Revision Commission
Meeting 6/26/07
Minutes of the Charter Revision Commission Meeting held on Tuesday June 26, 2007 at7:00 p.m. in the Old Court Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, Ct.
PRESENT: Chairman Al Cramer, LeReine Frampton, Joe Hemingway, Joan Plouffe, Guy Howard, two members of the public, one member of the press.
ABSENT: Carolyn Signorelli.
Chairman Al Cramer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Correction to the minutes of June 12, 2007 Public Hearing, minutes accepted as amended. Upon motion by Mr. Cramer the minutes of 5/22/07 were accepted.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
1. Mr. David Grogins, 9 Abbots Hill Road addressed draft provisions and public hearings. Mr. Grogins expressed the need for a draft report to be filed and submitted on the public hearings while being made available to the public and open to comment. Mr. Grogins made suggestions for public hearings based on the way section 7-191a reads.
2. Mr. Ed Marks, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman asked the Charter Revision Commission to please consider the recommended addition of one member, for the Board to go from 6 to 7 members.
3. Ruby Johnson, Chestnut Hill Road suggested comments be made for the next Commission members on what may be enhanced in order to make the future Charter Revision Commission more successful and effective. Ms. Johnson also praised the Commission for their hard work and dedication.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Should the Parks and Recreation Commission membership be increased by one? Discussion and vote. Mr. Cramer made a motion to accept vote for members to increase by one. Motion unanimously carried.
2. Should the Cultural Arts Commission be included in the Charter? Discussion and vote. Mr. Cramer moved to accept and suggested to read as follows;
- There shall be a Cultural Arts Commission composed of 9 members with such powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by ordinance and the general statutes. Motion unanimously carried.
3. Should the management of Fairfield Hills no longer be by an Authority but changed to a Commission or Board? Discussion and vote.
Mr. Guy Howard presented handouts regarding the Fairfield Hills Development Commission, he expressed concern over such. (Attachment A and B). Mr. Howard made a strong point that he feels it is important that information be made public and readily available regarding the issue of the Development of Fairfield Hills as well as having members involved in the development be held accountable for their actions taken. Mr. Howard moved to table the issues until the next meeting. Commissioners Cramer, Hemingway and Frampton opposed while Plouffe and Howard in favor. Motion denied.
4. Should the language in section 6-100 be changed to state that financial impact statements shall be prepared at the direction of the Financial Director? Discussion and vote.
Mr. Cramer stated that he believed the Financial Director should be responsible. Mr. Cramer moved that the language remain intact regarding 6-100. Motion unanimously carried.
5. Should the Legislative Council be requested not to follow the statutory thirty day window for those recommendations that receive voter approval pertaining to the election of elected officials, and postpone enacting the recommendation until the next regular Town Election? Discussion and vote.
Regarding section 9-206a Charter recommendations, Ms. Joan Plouffe moved that the effective date of the approval be as of November 2009. Commissioner Frampton opposed while Commisioners Plouffe, Howard, Hemingway and Cramer approved. Motion approved 4 to 1.
6. Should the first draft be sent to the Legislative Council? Discussion and vote.
No action taken. No motion. Draft to be sent when Mr. Cramer returns at the end of July.
New Business:
1. Unanimously voted to add referendum language to agenda. Ms. Frampton moved to add language ; All Referenda shall be held to be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.
NEXT MEETING: Public Hearing to be held Tuesday July 10, 2007 at 7:00p.m. in the Old Court Room, Edmond Town Hall 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT. 06470.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mr. Cramer adjourned the meeting at 8:35p.m.
Cayenne Spremullo, Clerk Pro Tem
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