Charter Panel Envisions A Stronger First Selectman With A Longer Term

By Steve Bigham

Don’t expect the Charter Revision Commission to recommend the creation of a town manager form of government, but it does appear poised to strengthen the role of the first selectman. What’s more, it is prepared to recommend that the term of office for the town’s chief elected official be lengthened from two years to four.

Last week, the charter panel reached a consensus on a number of issues pertaining to the role of the first selectman. The board still has many more issues to cover, particularly when it comes to the Legislative Council, town finances, planning & zoning, and a host of other areas.

“As far as the town manager goes, we reached a consensus that while there may be some merit in hiring a professionally trained town manager, we decided it wasn’t the proper direction for Newtown,” explained Chairman Bill Sheluck.

As for a stronger first selectman, the commission has indicated on several occasions that the current system leaves the first selectman virtually powerless. This is a concern, say members, who are looking for greater balance within the government.

To strengthen the first selectman’s role, the board has considered giving the position veto power over all Legislative Council decisions. In addition, the board believes the first selectman should begin to look at the town’s needs on a long-term basis. With this in mind, the board is also in favor extending the first selectman’s term from two years to four years.

“We have agreed that a four-year term is preferable because we plan to provide the first selectman with greater accountability,” Mr Sheluck said.

The commission also discussed the hiring and firing authority of the first selectman and agreed that the current charter was confusing in the way it dealt with various positions in town government, and made special mention of the finance director.

“We like the approach where the first selectman has the authority to hire and fire with the proper safeguards such as hearings before the Legislative Council,” Mr Sheluck explained.

The charter panel agreed that having to fire someone “with cause” is almost impossible, while having the authority to fire someone “without cause” provides no procedural protection for employees. However, the commission believes that with the proper safeguards in place, the first selectman could have the authority to make personnel decisions that are in the best interest of the town, while at the same time protecting employees who work for the town.

The Charter Revision Commission hopes to reach a consensus on all issues as it moves its way through the charter.

“Our hope is that we only need to take one vote, and that’s at the end when we vote on our final report to the Legislative Council. Our hope is we will be able to reach consensus on all the major issues,” Mr Sheluck said.

Last week, the commission met with Finance Director Ben Spragg, who reiterated his suggestion that the town consider a council form of government that includes the first selectman as its chairman. He envisions this reconstituted body being the entity that would manage the town with a separate board of finance set up to deal with financial matters.

The charter panel is slated to complete its discussions on the framework of town government by mid-February. It will then move on to other elements of the charter.

(A continuing discussion of Newtown’s charter can be found in the “Town Talk” section of The Bee’s website at www.thebee.com.)