Town council adopts updated rules; clarifies compensation language and agenda-addition procedure
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Summary
The council unanimously approved a redlined update to its rules on Sept. 17, including a revised sentence on how compensation for named elected positions is set and a clarification that adding items to an agenda requires the council's permission (consistent with FOIA).
The New Canaan Town Council unanimously approved an updated set of town council rules Sept. 17 that incorporate editorial and procedural clarifications and an amended sentence describing how compensation for the town’s elected officers is set.
The council accepted the redlined document prepared by the town’s bylaws and ordinance committee with two notable adjustments. First, section 17’s opening sentence was revised to read that compensation for the first selectman, selectmen, town clerk and treasurer “shall be fixed by the town council in accordance with the Connecticut state constitution, Connecticut General Statutes, and the Town Charter of New Canaan as applicable,” with the existing sentence limiting midterm increases (salary for a term shall not exceed the amount in effect at the start of the term) left in place.
Second, the rules' language about adding items to an agenda was clarified to say that motions to add items require the “permission of the council” — language chosen to reflect the Freedom of Information Act requirement that additions at regular meetings may require a supermajority in some circumstances.
Councilors said the revisions are intended to make the rules more didactic and readable for new council members and the public while preserving reference to the charter and state law where necessary. The amended rules were approved unanimously and will be attached to the meeting minutes.