Simsbury open-space work group seeks charter, ordinance fixes; urges clearer stewardship and public notice

The Open Space and Stewardship and Policies Work Group on March 5, 2025 reviewed proposed edits to town governance language and recommended clarifications to how the town handles open‑land stewardship, committee composition and public notice.

The changes under discussion focused on aligning Town Charter language in section 6‑15 with ordinance language in section 21‑3 and related provisions (including 21‑4 and 21‑8). Members suggested adding explicit authority for stewardship and administration of acquisition funds, correcting clerical mismatches introduced by prior charter revisions, and clarifying who may initiate or intend land disposition processes.

Marjorie Winters, member, Open Space and Stewardship and Policies Work Group, opened the agenda item by sharing the charter text on screen and asking the group to consider one section at a time. Members noted that the charter’s 2017 update and a later ordinance amendment in 2021 are not consistently reflected across the town code and charter documents.

Susan Cino, member, suggested explicitly adding stewardship language to section 6‑15. Cino proposed the committee should…