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Charter Revision Commission hears debate over elected vs. appointed commissions and preservation priorities
Summary
Commissioners and residents debated whether New Canaan's technical boards should remain appointed or become elected, and public commenters urged the commission to strengthen charter language for historic preservation in response to recent state law changes.
Residents and commission members gathered Jan. 6 for a Charter Revision Commission meeting focused on whether key town boards should be elected or remain appointed and on whether the charter should give stronger priority to historic preservation.
John Goodwin of 70 Bayberry Road told the commission he opposed converting technical commissions such as planning and zoning to elected bodies, saying "my educated guess ... 75% of commissioners would not be willing to run for elected office" and that converting some panels to elections would reduce the technical expertise available. He suggested codifying a role for commission chairs in screening or approving appointees so that a chair could help ensure nominees have the needed…
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