[{"_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",6286845,"mediaKeyId","2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132","parentId",2556446,"title","Commission presses for clearer reporting, agenda timing and grant rules for town administration","audioSeconds",655,"startMs",8405000,"endMs",9060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132&start=8405&end=9060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132/thumbnail_8405000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286845/Simsbury-Center/Capitol-County/Connecticut/Commission-presses-for-clearer-reporting-agenda-timing-and-grant-rules-for-town-administration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286845-aabaeacca04fe882d2e573a58b082d82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142771&Signature=UUCSLmi64RjLx10bGnFo9AE8stuNOL68mt9037Q~8DWX-RZvdahCBsWyBElMOfDuSEa1lu~KN10dhhTjvNI2IRfrhvG8o9u0Lkl30rQ5BhH0yCQDmZOgxrrvzIhf9Vkgd1X3bd4JWJ~eLBg3QPWXb4v5SHfmjvsHLyJbCnuvQu1CbapLc17B8Ula~uEgIXOl46ovblyA~92CNrYB5vmtxm5mplrdA7BgUdp4bxCCuN97BscxWaXlF-1DUt25mNar7sB2tu~shnoiHLvIxpIT2uv325OUIuTPvR1KQT-5qR4sfY8ckgt7VcTRpWrO9M3aD-wzcNNhrHvfZzyfPDmb7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Simsbury, CT","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","Charter Revision Commission members raised several operational issues Wednesday that they said should be clarified in the charter or by internal policy: the town manager’s reporting cadence and the board’s access to timely agenda materials, the town’s process for applying for grants, alignment of town-manager performance review items with charter duties, and automatic review dates for temporary boards and commissions.

Multiple commissioners said the charter’s current language requiring “periodic reports” from the town manager is too vague. One commissioner suggested replacing “periodic” with a specific cadence — for example, monthly or quarterly — and adding a short status report for major projects and near-term budget issues to each packet. “A regular report that tells you where you are … would help,” a commissioner said, noting that more predictable reporting would let the board ask targeted follow-ups and reduce surprises.

Members also said they frequently receive agenda packets late in the business cycle and asked that materials be delivered earlier in the week to allow volunteer board members time to review. Several commissioners suggested the agenda should be posted earlier (for example, by Wednesday for a Monday meeting) and that staff provide a separate status sheet for projects and grants.

On grants, commissioners described a practical tension: staff and the town manager want to apply quickly for short-notice opportunities, while the charter currently requires Board of Selectmen authorization to apply. Several commissioners proposed a middle ground: allow the town manager to apply for grants consistent with board policy but require prompt notice to the board and a ratifying vote to accept awards when required. “Town staff identifies them, but ultimately to vote it down before an application is made,” one member noted; others said rapid-notice grants can be handled by immediate notification and later ratification for acceptance and appropriation.

Commission members also asked that the town manager’s contract and the performance-review instrument align with the charter duties so the board can hold the manager accountable to responsibilities listed in the charter. Staff confirmed the personnel subcommittee is already updating the performance review instrument to reflect charter duties that were previously omitted.

Finally, the commission asked staff to ensure temporary committees — such as the DEI council and the sustainability committee — are scheduled for periodic review rather than remaining open-ended. One commissioner suggested adding a charter requirement that temporary bodies include a sunset or review date so the selectmen can renew or dissolve them as needed.

Ending: The Commission requested staff and legal counsel to draft specific language on reporting cadence, agenda timing, grant-application authority and temporary-committee review schedules for consideration at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Simsbury Charter Revision Commission Meeting - February 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Charter reviewers and selectmen pressed for clearer town-manager reporting schedules, earlier agendas, and streamlined rules for applying for grants. They also discussed aligning the town manager performance review with charter duties and a required review timetable for temporary advisory panels.","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},6286849,"Charter review panel weighs governance changes: town manager role, term lengths and party representation",426,4974000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132&start=4974&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132/thumbnail_4974000.jpg","/articles/6286849/Simsbury-Center/Capitol-County/Connecticut/Charter-review-panel-weighs-governance-changes-town-manager-role-term-lengths-and-party-representation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286849-51f4c9f24c027e26215c57f071e0259f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142771&Signature=YBOyAldTado1xwS9AtHqnCRo8MT6aBfHtlgeeK68hk4OtwMPZPi-Zmi9-Z~ApLUJA9DjKhm9P9RSyuybXPc4Hq3k7yXyl9p4cRqy72lDBiNFhJ0cNtGnM4a9-X0Rh6OCZRGBlrJ1oyrigUPmvAOWw7e5HDjDmKIWV0K~iBdK4cnKvueiRCNxUJoLAhrYYnmJOfTCxQqiv1cbDAPs-C9aK1vsGg2D8cpBGzgNyJOfRrejYQjZNWxAzWINGBWywGugVWVJ92TLOMDGIv3A2Tf3Bop0DBMiCtvQwlVV2CJxLtxmLC8zf25ZeZd3Cq8Z5baj9pC-bA2WHXUeBXBD0MWPBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Simsbury’s Charter Revision Commission debated several governance and electoral questions Wednesday, including whether to clarify the relationship between the Board of Selectmen and the town manager, extend the board’s term from two to four years, require staggered terms, and change how party and unaffiliated candidates gain access to local office.

Several commissioners said the town manager role should be defined as the chief administrative officer while the board should remain the policy-setting body. “I am of the opinion that the Board of Selectmen should be the CEO and that the town manager should be the chief administrative official,” one commissioner said, arguing for clearer job delineation in the charter. Commissioners and staff noted that the current charter requires the town manager to provide “periodic reports” to the board; several commissioners asked that “periodic” be made specific (for example, monthly or quarterly) so the board receives regular status updates on projects and budget items.

The commission also discussed term length and continuity. Multiple members said two-year terms create a steep learning curve for newly elected selectmen and recommended longer terms and staggered cycles. “The second year, I feel like we are actually hitting the ground running now,” one commissioner said, supporting four-year terms with staggered start dates so institutional knowledge is preserved across election cycles.

Party representation and pathways for unaffiliated residents were debated at length. Commissioners noted that unaffiliated voters are a large portion of Simsbury’s electorate but are underrepresented in elected office because of party-focused nomination processes. One commissioner proposed a hybrid approach used in other towns — a mix of party-nominated seats and at-large or open seats anyone may contest — to create a clearer pathway for unaffiliated candidates without creating a statutory third party slot. Another commissioner cautioned that changing representation rules can have unintended consequences for partisan balance and urged legal review.

Finally, the commission discussed the practice that the top vote-getter for First Selectman currently becomes a member of the Board of Selectmen even if the candidate had been running primarily for the top post. Commissioners debated whether the First Selectman should be a separate, stand-alone office (win it or not remain separate) or whether the existing rollover practice should remain. Several commissioners said the current practice can confuse voters; others said it helps preserve experienced officeholders on the board.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff and legal counsel to prepare options, including specific charter language and examples from other Connecticut towns, and to circulate those options for public comment before drafting final recommendations.","The Charter Revision Commission discussed whether to clarify that the town manager reports to the Board of Selectmen, extend selectmen terms from two to four years, add staggered terms, and create clearer pathways for unaffiliated candidates. No charter language was adopted; commissioners asked staff for options and legal guidance.",{"_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},6286854,"Simsbury charter review panel hears split views on combining planning and zoning commissions",3312,462000,3774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132&start=462&end=3774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556446-20d790164e8337e8d929a70cc3592132/thumbnail_462000.jpg","/articles/6286854/Simsbury-Center/Capitol-County/Connecticut/Simsbury-charter-review-panel-hears-split-views-on-combining-planning-and-zoning-commissions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286854-aebc39e359a7a5956019e431a84b1d7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142771&Signature=n9uOV4Jr6ZIooyNAcPIFuLVl6UGw5OkBGSGrzMuf~P1SBwZpaOe~fKhydEaERwzNJC-aYxzbI2OapBS7yjJxT3BgDQu5lUkosva4AATqKZK8AUkuzkjCq152ZSs7yEDReVK5TiXFEWJKBS2TOR7gClLKMQfh5mCjydiGRuOvgxQXhyCof2YDBldtUUKkQ1p8nyLHj1peKGHomnffh91fd10XiApvbp2Y4WAC8dbgKYFKJl8KEavz8ViRGLXbnRDnWEvI7Kg1xG8-o4wMSv6GIIALhXnK5hn4WtzruJpcFlYugkU3sfcFP7cYULfLZm7vkkjIoa3MzJcO6cwehVi93w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Charter Revision Commission debated whether to consolidate Simsbury’s separate Planning Commission and Zoning Commission into a single planning-and-zoning body, with supporters saying a combined board could streamline developer review and reduce repeated hearings and opponents warning that planning would take a back seat to zoning’s workload.

The discussion opened with an extensive presentation from a planning commissioner who outlined the commissions’ statutory roles and the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). “The focus of the Planning Commission is to draft, amend and adopt the Plan of Conservation and Development. That is really our biggest charge,” the planning commissioner said, arguing that a combined body would remove the need for referrals and could reduce staff time and duplicate meetings. The commissioner also noted the heavy work of the POCD update — a once-in-a-decade undertaking that typically requires a year of meetings and consultant support.

Residents and zoning members voiced concerns about practicality and meeting length. Jackie Badis, a long-serving member of the Zoning Commission, urged the Commission not to combine the boards, saying Simsbury worked to shake a reputation of being “not a builder-friendly town.” “When a builder or developer comes to the zoning commission for a new development, they bring their land use attorney, their architect, their landscape architect, their water pollution control engineer and sometimes their traffic management consultant,” Badis said. She said developers already faced long meetings: “We had 25 zoning board meetings [last year]. There were five meetings under one hour. The majority of meetings were between one and a half hours and a little over three hours.”

Supporters said a combined board could be organized to avoid longer waits for applicants — for example, by scheduling planning items at a different position on the agenda or through staff review when appropriate. The planning commissioner described existing practices that already reduce duplication, such as design-review meetings scheduled immediately prior to zoning sessions to allow applicants to present once.

Commissioners requested concrete data before taking a position. They asked staff to collect: (1) how many applications in recent years were required to appear before both planning and zoning; (2) the experience of nearby or similar towns that have combined commissions (including board size and workload); and (3) whether developers have withdrawn applications citing local process delays. The Charter Revision Commission also asked the Planning Commission to solicit written comments from its members and forward them for the record.

The conversation repeatedly distinguished two kinds of effects: procedural gains for applicants and staff versus potential loss of technical planning focus. Several commissioners suggested exploring hybrid approaches such as joint monthly meetings or a combined commission that uses subcommittees to preserve planning expertise while shortening applicant timelines.

The Commission did not take a formal vote on charter language; members instead set a follow-up plan for research and written comment and asked staff to arrange interviews with town planners and chairs from towns that have made the transition.

Ending: The Charter Revision Commission left the question open and directed staff to compile comparative data and written input from the Planning and Zoning commissions and town planners in other jurisdictions before drafting any charter language.","Planning commissioners and zoning members told the Charter Revision Commission Wednesday that combining planning and zoning could reduce delays but also risks sidelining planning expertise. Commissioners asked staff to gather comparative data and written input before recommending change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission presses for clearer reporting, agenda timing and grant rules for town administration

Charter review panel weighs governance changes: town manager role, term lengths and party representation

Simsbury charter review panel hears split views on combining planning and zoning commissions