Charter commission hears case for keeping town manager, recommends clearer roles and uniform public comment rules

At a Simsbury Charter Revision Commission meeting, a board member identified as Eric argued the town should retain its town manager form of government but revise the charter to clarify roles, stagger terms and change how the presiding officer is chosen. Resident Helen Peterson urged uniform public-audience rules, consistent minutes and hybrid meeting access.

Why it matters: The commission is reviewing charter language that defines how Simsbury’s elected board and professional manager share authority. Changes could affect how residents reach officials, how the board supervises the manager and how continuity is preserved when many seats turn over simultaneously.

Eric told the commission the town-manager model provides professional administration that is difficult to duplicate with volunteer officials. “Having competent professional management in a complex environment like we have gives us access to somebody that can build a team and…