To the Editor:

The proposed charter changes are important. Opponents, many of whom in their official capacity voted aye, suggest that the Board of Finance will disappear.

I assure you as chair of the Legislative Council, if the voters remove the Board of Finance from the charter, the LC will act swiftly to replace it with an appointed body focused on needed long-term financial planning rather than near-term fiscal oversight. This reconstituted panel was requested by members the Board of Finance and recommended by the Charter Commission.

Some suggest that making the Board of Finance an appointed board will remove all decision-making from the voters. If that is the case, why aren’t all board and commission members up for a vote every two years? Newtown has 25+ bodies that are appointed.

Does this mean all volunteers are working for their appointers and not for the good of Newtown? Should our election ballot contain 50 offices for the voters to decide who’s best? The answer to both questions is clearly No. Newtown has a rigorous process for appointing public officials that engages political parties as well as unaffiliated voters to field the most qualified public servants. This care will be used appointing members to this board.

Finally, this charter revision is unique in that it is bipartisan. This Commission was charged by a Democrat lead Council, and included Democrats, Republicans, and an unaffiliated voter. A Republican Council received the report and unanimously accepted its recommendations.

Voters should consider the effort that went into this review and to understand how grossly exaggerated the opponent’s doomsday predictions are. These changes are right for Newtown. Please join me in voting Yes for charter revision.

The opinions expressed in this letter are mine and not those of the Legislative Council, of which I am chairman.

Jeff Capeci

Newtown