Charter Backers Gear Up For Campaign Effort

By Steve Bigham

The Charter Revision Commission may end up spending more money during this campaign season than either the Democrats or the Republicans. The group appears determined to see their proposed amendments to town government approved November 6.

Next week will mark the first anniversary of the commission’s first meeting, and while it officially disbanded this past summer, the group remains united for the cause. With buttons, posters and logos – not to mention money – at the ready, the Charter Revision Commission is prepared for an all out ad campaign. To date, the charter panel has held 40 meetings, not including the numerous council meetings it attended. It is determined not to have all that time and effort go to waste.

“We believe in what we’re doing. Our overall goal is to provide enough information so that decisions can be made. We believe once that information is out there, the public will vote `yes’ on all five questions,” explained commission member Jane Sharpe. “The point is to get the real information out there – not the innuendoes, not the name calling – and let people decide on its own merit.”

The charter panel has made headlines this past year, suggesting major changes to the way the town is governed. Topping the list is a plan that calls for the creation of a Board of Finance to assist the Legislative Council and first selectman with long-range financial planning. The plan also calls for the elimination of the Board of Selectmen. Third, the board has recommended giving the first selectman more power, added accountability, and veto power over council decisions. The plan also calls for the elimination of the town meeting if the proposed town budget is defeated at referendum.

The Legislative Council in August rejected much of the proposal. This prompted the Charter Revision Commission to collect nearly 2,000 signatures to have the questions petitioned onto the November ballot.

But just when it looked like the Charter Revision Commission had weathered the storm, a wrinkle emerged two weeks ago, casting doubt on whether the plan would pass. Town officials in late September discovered that an “effective date” was inadvertently left off the charter proposal to be placed on the ballot. The Charter Revision Commission has intended to have the changes take effect in December 2003. Because of the omission, however, the changes, if approved, would now take effect 30 days after the election. State statutes require that any proposed changes go into effect within 30 days unless otherwise specified.

Since then, there are some who admit they now have second thoughts about voting in favor of the charter amendments simply because they do not want to see the governmental changes rushed through.

This week, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal he believes the proposed charter changes should be voted down next month and then returned to the election ballot next year… with an effective date. To do so, the Legislative Council would have to recommission the charter revision panel. Mr Rosenthal said this week he has received commitments from all eight Democratic council candidates that, if elected, they would do just that.

“People should be able to decide on the charter changes based on whether or not they think this is good for the town or isn’t good for the town,” Mr Rosenthal said.

The Charter Revision Commission members are taking a different tack. They argue that if voters want to see change, vote in favor of the plan now. There are no guarantees that the council will re-commission the charter panel. It is not required by law to form another Charter Revision Commission until August 2006.

Meanwhile, Republican first selectman candidate Owen Carney remains steadfastly in support of the proposed charter changes.

“My opinion hasn’t changed. I think the proposals drafted by the Charter Revision Commission are with the best interest of the town at heart. They’re good changes,” Mr Carney said. “There’s nothing wrong with them. However, there are conceivably people who will vote against the proposed charter simply because there is no effective date. I’m somewhat in line with what was proposed by The Bee [Editorial Inkdrops 10/12/01] that this matter be brought back up in 2002 to be voted upon.”

The Charter Revision Commission has begun a tour of local organizations, speaking on behalf of their proposed charter amendments.