Charter Revisions Are Needed Now

To the Editor:

Please vote YES on all five charter revisions. The proposed revisions are needed. The behind-the-scenes concern is the 30-day factor, and this can be overcome.

The process everyone is thinking about is that two things must be done in 30 days – eliminate the Board of Selectmen and appoint six people to a Board of Finance. As a part-time employee of the Newtown Police Department and a former Fire Commissioner, I know and have great respect for Owen Carney, Bill Brimmer, Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski. Each is a highly capable community leader. Neither Herb, nor Owen, wants his running-mate to be out of a job in 30 days. No one wants to lose the expertise of the second and third selectmen.

We don’t have to. Both incumbents can be named to a new Board of Finance. Or either, as party leaders, can have his pick of appointed positions. The important thing is that in the long term, it’s better to have one selectman. The present board members work well together. But in some past administrations, political disputes within the Board of Selectman made it impossible for the first selectman to function.

A Board of Finance can also be smoothly done within the time frame. Both Owen and Herb are fully capable of naming six qualified people within 30 days. The town attorney has also told the Charter Revision Commission that in as soon as four months, a special election can be called for an elected Board of Finance.

The important factor is the charter, not the 30 days. The revisions will help now. Newtown presently faces some major financial issues. A Board of Finance, which meets monthly – not just at budget time – will be tremendously valuable. The proposed changes better define the responsibilities of the first selectman, a new Board of Finance and the Legislative Council. They also provide a better framework for the growth of the town we love. Please vote in favor of all five ballot questions.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Sharpe

169-171 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook October 29, 2001