Charter Panel To Examine

Town’s Budgetary Process

By Steve Bigham

The much-talked-about Charter Revision Commission was slated to begin discussion on Newtown’s budgetary process this week, and will likely touch on finance and the structure of its proposed Board of Finance.

For now, all talk on the balance of power between the first selectman and Legislative Council and the overall structural framework of the government has been put aside. No doubt, the commission will return to those discussions at a later date, especially after all the hubbub it created around town.

“The next phase of our process will deal with the interaction between the various elements of town government, with particular emphasis on the budget process, interim financial decisions, and long-term planning. It’s our feeling that the planning process should begin with the first selectman and be integrated with both the board of finance and Legislative Council,” explained Charter Revision Commission Chairman Bill Sheluck.

Earlier this month, the charter panel decided that the government would work more efficiently with a board of finance to help operate the town government along with the first selectman and Legislative Council. The proposed six-member board of finance would take part in the year-long planning of the town’s financial picture, and, at budget time, would make recommendations to the Legislative Council. The council, in turn, would make the final decisions.

And while some members of the Legislative Council oppose the Board of Finance idea, others, like Don Studley, say it may be the best way to go. Finance Director Ben Spragg proposed the switch to a Board of Finance last fall.

Under the charter commission’s plan, the annual town budget would first be deliberated by the first selectman (there would be no Board of Selectmen), then it would be passed on to the Board of Finance for consideration. The Board of Finance, which could either raise or lower the budget, would then pass it on to the council, which could only make reductions before making a final recommendation. Under this plan, the first selectman could then veto the council’s recommendation. The council could then override that veto, at which time the budget would then revert back to what the Board of Finance has originally submitted.

The Charter Revision Commission will continue its study of the budgetary process in the coming weeks. This is an area where even council members say revisions need to be made. Earlier this year, the council urged the charter panel to eliminate Newtown’s age-old “town meeting” form of government. In recent years, that process has been dominated by a small number of residents who show up with a specific agenda, according to Council Chairman Pierre Rochman.

Many council members believe some budget dates need to be revised to make for a smoother budget process. For one thing, they say, the town is forced to look at the budget before the state completes its own budget. This forces the council to do a lot of guessing on the revenue side of its budget.

Some members believe the budget’s public hearing needs to be scheduled at the beginning of the budget process rather than at the end. By the time the hearings take place the budget has already been sent. Mr Rochman said the process can be re-opened, but it may be too late. Public participation is permitted throughout the budget process. However, those meetings are usually attended by special interest groups only, he said.

“The public hearings are supposed to be a bit more general, and I’d like to see them up front,” Mr Rodgers said.

Last week, the charter panel met with Attorney David Grogins to discuss the legal ramifications of some of its proposed changes. All appeared fine, except for the commission’s idea for a “recall provision” that would allow the town to remove a first selectman in the middle of his or her term. This goes against the State Constitution, according to Mr Grogins. The “recall provision” came up after it was suggested that the first selectman’s term be extended from two to four years.

The charter panel is still considering various ways to split the Legislative Council into “at-large” and “district” representation.

Last week, resident Lillian Strickler of 6 Tamarack Rd asserted that some Planning & Zoning members have served for extended periods of time and have built long-term relationships with developers and their legal counsel. She urged that two terms, with four-year term limits, be considered, to encourage “fresh thinking.”

The Legislative Council is expected to meet with the charter panel sometime in March, when it is expected to discuss some of the proposed changes now on the table.