Charter Panel Enters The Public Relations Phase Of Its Work

By Steve Bigham

The Charter Revision Commission has been meeting once a week, every week for more than six months, studying the town charter to see what changes can be made to improve the town government, taking off only the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

This week, however, the board opted to take its second week off in anticipation of what should be a very busy spring and summer. The commission has finalized its recommendation for changes; now it needs to explain to the people of Newtown why it made those changes.

Last week, the 11-member board spent its entire meeting discussing its communications plan, a program in which members work to educate the public as to what its recommendations are and why it is making them. Most importantly, the Charter Revision Commission needs to convince a skeptical Legislative Council that its changes are best for Newtown. The phrase “Revision with Vision” will be the theme of the commission’s communications program.

“We believe that once we have had an opportunity to talk to council members about our recommendations they will understand our reasoning and ultimately support our recommendation,” explained Chairman Bill Sheluck.

Some council members have been vocal in their opposition to the board’s recommendation to provide veto power for the first selectman and to create a Board of Finance to work alongside the council and first selectman. These are probably the most significant changes being proposed by the commission, which is seeking feedback from the public at a May 23 public hearing at 7:30 in the senior center on Riverside Road.

Subsequent to the hearing, the commission will finalize its report and submit it to the council, probably by the end of May.

“If for any reason we learn something new at the hearing which would cause us to review our preliminary recommendations, we certainly will go back and make changes prior to submitting the report to the council,” Mr Sheluck said.

This week, the Charter Revision Commission continued its efforts to educate the public (and the council) on its proposed changes, pointing out that a stronger first selectman and a Board of Finance will not weaken the council, but make it stronger.

“We feel on the contrary that there is no diminishment of the power of the council and in fact their authority with respect to special appropriations has been enhanced by moving the limit they can act on up to $500,000,” Mr Sheluck said. “We believe the inclusion of a Board of Finance in both the financial planning of the town and the budget process will be of great assistance to the council when they are working through their final decisions with respect to all financial matters of the town.”

Last week, Charter Revision Commission members said they were taken aback by news that First Selectman Herb Rosenthal was now opposing the idea of veto power for the first selectman. As members recall, he favored the idea during discussions this past winter.

“We see this change as enhancing the relationship between the first selectman’s office and the Legislative Council. I know last week’s editorial indicated that Herb Rosenthal was having second thoughts about this issue and was concerned that it might further exacerbate his relationship with this council. Our feeling is that, first of all, these recommendations have not been made with the current make-up of the council or the person in the first selectman’s office in mind. We have worked hard to avoid addressing the conflicts that have occurred recently between these two parties and to focus on what we believe is best for the future of the town,” Mr Sheluck said.

Commission members say Mr Rosenthal, once he has more time to think about the veto issue, may recognize the opportunity it provides for greater dialogue between the two entities. And, of course, Mr Rosenthal always has the option of not using his veto rights. However, Mr Sheluck said, if the council knows its decision might be opposed by the first selectman, it may be more likely work to build a greater majority within the council, and at the same time, work more closely with the first selectman to reach common ground.