[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286867,"mediaKeyId","2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587","parentId",2556373,"title","Selectmen tell charter panel town‑manager system works but needs clearer role, finance safeguards","audioSeconds",1593,"startMs",634000,"endMs",2227000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587&start=634&end=2227","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587/thumbnail_634000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286867/Simsbury-Center/Capitol-County/Connecticut/Selectmen-tell-charter-panel-townmanager-system-works-but-needs-clearer-role-finance-safeguards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286867-5cc35364f86a2098a24144638e940ef2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150662&Signature=QUctYL-yhXDv4tAJ1CkDB8HJzKQ8QGVJwCRDpok~GXoi2-rrPerm6mghtWIqPyHoCEoPNb8gwj7vIuyxsuKkDFSbnspTltN2QmUXc41h11LOWfEJpkC3~2h3b8XrScW9QY3lIC9zX9-sbhC5~grVHgxJI5TgUZsAkDlknvm5TCy2ohSi~9M13zVMPz8~5rRQu97xIcNuQtJA0hykiyGB1Pnm3oC5oOnur~uNUj9UwLwo~EuVr62yKFT8qDMnLx85t33pRCAXAPar91S10DcEqr5fYLOzcyk6t9PYfJMWF-BwOaZoYi3HtJF215uXq9qruIEiY-OTfzOILwluMODmeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Simsbury, CT","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","Selectwoman Diane Geisley, a member of the Board of Selectmen, told the Charter Revision Commission on March 5 that “it is a form of government that works for our town,” but added the town’s charter needs clearer language to limit role confusion between elected officials and the town manager.

The issue matters because commissioners, selectmen and staff said unclear lines have created recurring frictions over contract negotiations, department oversight and budget transfers — and prompted calls to preserve an independent finance board as a fiscal safeguard.

At the meeting, Geisley described the intended split of responsibility under a town‑manager system: elected officials set policy while the town manager administers operations. She said the charter now leaves “a little fuzzy” where policy stops and administration begins, and asked the commission to consider language that would make the boundary clearer. Selectman Steven and other members expanded on practical examples: who negotiates union contracts, who sets minimum/maximum parameters for negotiations, and how and when the board should receive advance guidance.

Town staff described recent organizational changes that commissioners said have contributed to the confusion. Participants said an HR director position was created in last year’s budget and that some departments (IT, social services and the town clerk’s office) have been designated as primary reporting lines to the deputy town manager for day‑to‑day matters. Deputy Town Manager Tom Fitzgerald told the meeting those departments “go to Tom for… acting as the town manager of them,” and that the town manager remains the ultimate appointing authority. Commissioners said those reassignments were not always communicated in a transparent org chart.

Several members urged the commission to protect the role of the Board of Finance in the charter. One participant summarized the argument: while the town manager provides continuity, “a board of finance is extremely important for us to have” because it offers ongoing forecasting and oversight beyond the periodic actions of elected boards.

Commissioners also discussed internal checks such as personnel subcommittees and regular town‑manager reviews. Selectmen said they are actively developing a town‑manager performance review and have conducted executive‑session work on that topic; they asked the commission to avoid embedding the granular mechanics of a performance review into the charter, suggesting instead that the charter require a review process and leave the details to the board.

The commission did not vote on a charter change at the meeting. Members asked for written clarification of recent reporting changes and for copies of the town manager’s and deputy town manager’s current job descriptions and org chart. Commissioners said they will use those materials to decide whether proposed clarifying language belongs in the charter or is better resolved by board policy and administrative practice.

Looking ahead, the commission said it will gather the requested staff documents and return to the topic at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Simsbury Charter Revision Commission Meeting - March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Selectwoman Diane Geisley, a member of the Board of Selectmen, told the Charter Revision Commission on March 5 that “it is a form of government that works for our town,” but added the town’s charter needs clearer language to limit role confusion between elected officials and the town manager.","taxTitle","Simsbury Center, Capitol County, Connecticut","taxId",70146,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286858,"Charter panel reviews boards and commissions: ZBA size, historic‑district residency, conservation concerns and unaffiliated appointments",959,3747000,4706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587&start=3747&end=4706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587/thumbnail_3747000.jpg","/articles/6286858/Simsbury-Center/Capitol-County/Connecticut/Charter-panel-reviews-boards-and-commissions-ZBA-size-historicdistrict-residency-conservation-concerns-and-unaffiliated-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286858-a808e45a6cb22804a6000f33a7c852c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150662&Signature=QRhGyWqGlSefU7RN6hjWmW-btdV4QX8uzRRRTZTIfSmrc0krEwrVVh2NMX48FlLqewsz1lxkTwt3BCS1wyybasmh3KlRB5ACrFj0kdDx8hIboBmfWWfbd1PCW5RR3f~58uuVPdFq0dqbg4BMGm7rl5aho8nn59s0C0BLAnw5ASe6qiXLKd3Gbnrk2nNlQpFM2QDD1WKXyMoo09wl3T7hw~hnrOM6lK6vgOfLUSRsXVHopCUlQi6t9TenB0Nhi1o6Ng72duO8bPvRkQGicxDZr9wHgy155lDNCjJYj19EOgGyHI70ln6laiQPILU6UkJzS7CYaemy2ZjWmBqCwvUn4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter Revision Commission spent part of its March 5 meeting reviewing comments from multiple town boards about membership, statutory language and public participation.

Discussion began with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Commissioners noted the charter language references “three members” while the board currently operates with six members plus alternates and a four‑member quorum. Commission members asked staff to clarify the charter and code wording that governs staggered elections and alternates so the town and residents can read consistent language.

The Historic District Commission requested that the town’s handbook requirement — that at least three regular members and two alternates be owners or residents within the East Weatogue Historic District — be reflected consistently in town documents. The commission noted the same text appears differently in code and charter provisions and asked that the Board of Selectmen be offered the suggestion to align its ordinance with the handbook. Commissioners said they generally preferred that code/ordinance changes be handled by the Board of Selectmen rather than by lengthy charter wording unless permanency was the explicit intent.

The Conservation Commission chair raised a separate set of concerns: volunteers said the commission receives fewer referrals on land‑use matters than they expect and that the commission lacks a budget and staff support to fulfil some of its statutory duties. Commissioners asked staff to confirm which Connecticut statutes establish conservation‑commission duties and whether the commission’s role is advisory versus regulatory in the town’s practice.

The meeting also included a sustained discussion of how unaffiliated voters are placed on appointed bodies. Commissioners heard a staff‑prepared road map describing the current vacancy process for unaffiliated seats: openings are advertised, applicants are verified and interviewed by town staff, and the town manager recommends an appointment to the Board of Selectmen. Commissioners noted an existing practice in Simsbury — historically the two party town committees have filled unaffiliated vacancies and brought names to the Board of Selectmen — and asked that the town manager coordinate with party chairs before any change in practice is adopted.

The commission also reviewed voter registration counts disclosed at the meeting: total registered voters (19,557); unaffiliated voters (7,901); Democrats (6,890); Republicans (4,450); unaffiliated share about 40.4% of registered voters. Commissioners said a plain‑English flowchart on how unaffiliated residents may access elected and appointed positions would be useful for residents.

On public participation, several board chairs urged making “public audience” a required part of regular commission meetings so residents have a scheduled opportunity to speak. Commissioners discussed whether the charter should mandate a public‑comment slot or whether that belongs in board practice and suggested including a requirement that each board publish a clear process for written comments and speaking opportunities.

The commission did not change charter text at the meeting. Instead it asked staff for statute citations, clarification of which board authorities are codified versus governed by ordinance, and a recommendation on which requests are best handled by code updates and which require charter amendment.","Commissioners reviewed written input from multiple town boards about membership counts, staggered terms, unaffiliated appointments and public‑comment rules. The panel asked staff for clarifying statute references and a timeline for written changes rather than immediate charter edits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286862,"Town managers, town staff ask commission to consider separate public‑arts commission; panel seeks more detail",1217,3777000,4994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587&start=3777&end=4994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556373-8741d0985585381aac6da75fd5352587/thumbnail_3777000.jpg","/articles/6286862/Simsbury-Center/Capitol-County/Connecticut/Town-managers-town-staff-ask-commission-to-consider-separate-publicarts-commission-panel-seeks-more-detail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286862-340d40697f0e2c38bf3e6efcfeb21a35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150662&Signature=V1pSG4Vf2fQolqnjLpf~7k3zuo80i6mGFZC299lZ2z42P-PY0teuwX4Qb21wM~AGJpSbDnXQ~lMDE5dxoeh4TXSY68Iv80f5Ctxnh1cmfJi0Z6KWhA0FTmdV7WnU9nOsBa9AjxRoQN6aWrnlwM~KMtDFHyTSA3RAZ8xxcQoSxIyK9kMq-L3CR9D3vto7G7hQ8vzfXyNrksRu1s-mxI8m-RT8CrwwUe2CeqevBB6UG~1F4BbPT5~jbfvGXp4oc-8hjtSHeWfDEnVhainEM9F9Eni0zwPMg3t3luCv4JUQ0fofOhNukTgMHXkjik~L1kNYOS48dYoVP4i~JHNB2Y27Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A letter received by the Charter Revision Commission on March 5 asked the panel to consider a charter change that would remove the word “culture” from the Culture, Parks & Recreation Commission and create a separate Simsbury Public Arts Commission.

The March 5 packet shows the letter was submitted by Town Manager Mark Nelson, the superintendent of schools, the chair of Culture, Parks & Rec, the town planner, an economic‑development staff member and the board liaison. Commission members said the request raises budgetary and appointment‑authority issues that need fuller explanation.

Commission members said the proposed change could affect who appoints commissioners and how a newly created arts commission would be funded. The letter suggested programmatic and capital goals — including reference to the future use and funding for Ina Memorial Hall — and asked the commission consider charter language to create a separate body. Several commissioners responded that fiscal obligations and appointment authority are decisions properly led by the elected Board of Selectmen and asked the authors to appear before the commission with a fuller proposal.

Commission members also requested clarification about board support. The letter circulated to the commission included signatures from six staff and liaison signatories but did not include the first selectman’s signature; commissioners said they wanted confirmation that the Board of Selectmen as a whole had seen and discussed the idea. The commission asked that the letter be shared with the full Board of Selectmen and requested an in‑person presentation from the signatories explaining the proposal’s scope, funding implications and rationale.

Commissioners did not endorse a charter change at the meeting. Instead they asked staff to arrange presentations and to confirm whether the Board of Selectmen intends to pursue a statutory or ordinance route or prefers a charter amendment. The commission’s follow‑up request asks for the presenters to explain budget implications and to identify whether appointments would be made by the board or the town manager.

Commissioners said they will consider the proposal after receiving the requested clarifications and a public presentation.","A multi‑signatory letter asking the Charter Revision Commission to split 'culture' out of the Culture, Parks & Recreation commission and create a Simsbury Public Arts Commission prompted commissioners to request a fuller presentation and confirmation of the Board of Selectmen’s position before acting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Selectmen tell charter panel town‑manager system works but needs clearer role, finance safeguards

Charter panel reviews boards and commissions: ZBA size, historic‑district residency, conservation concerns and unaffiliated appointments

Town managers, town staff ask commission to consider separate public‑arts commission; panel seeks more detail