Date: Fri 17-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Pilchard-finance-charter

Full Text:

Council Member Stresses Need For Finance Director's Independence

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

If ever there were a position in town that needed to remain outside realm of

politics, it is the town's financial director, according to Legislative

Council member Melissa Pilchard.

That's why last week she proposed to the Charter Revision Commission that the

removal of an employee from that position need approval by both the Board of

Selectmen and Legislative Council. Currently, the town charter states that the

financial director may be removed for cause by the selectmen, though the

financial director has the right to appeal to the council.

However, Mrs Pilchard believes the first selectman, if he or she decides to

fire the finance director, should be required to go to the Legislative Council

first.

"My reason for that is that I do not want the financial director's position to

become one that could be subject to the vagaries of politics," she explained.

"I just think it is very important that that person be considered for their

ability and only be fired if there is very just cause."

Mrs Pilchard said the job of finance director should not depend solely on how

one person (the first selectman) feels, "so he's secure within his position to

always do the right thing," she added.

Mrs Pilchard pointed out that just last week First Selectman Bob Cascella,

responding to complaints from employees on a temporary move to Fairfield Hills

Hospital, said anyone who doesn't want to move need not go, adding, however,

that they would be out of a job.

The town's current financial director, Ben Spragg, has filled that job since

1981.

Mrs Pilchard, who stated earlier in the week that Charter Revision Commission

was not following through on changes the Legislative Council had recommended,

reiterated some of the council's views.

"I'm not sure they've made much of an impression," she said.

She again urged the commission to not extend any terms of office beyond two

years, and she said the position of town clerk should remain elected. Also,

Mrs Pilchard said the Public Building and Site Commission should be involved

in all capital projects. She called for an at-large election for the

Legislative Council and an increase in the number of signatures required for a

referendum.

Mrs Pilchard also said a mechanism is needed to revise the Charter without

forming a Charter Revision Commission, and felt the Board of Education needs

to provide more choices for voters on the ballot. She said responsibility for

creating town ordinances should remain with the council.

In discussing the Board of Selectmen, the commission agreed to have members

Stan Karpacz, Jim Smith and David Chipman form a subcommittee to present a

report to the commission, defining the responsibilities that should be under

the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen.

The Charter Revision Commission is expected to meet every Thursday until May.