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New Canaan debate: residents and council spar over elected vs. appointed boards during charter review
Summary
At a Feb. 3 Charter Revision Commission meeting, public commenters and several town council members debated whether key bodies such as Planning & Zoning and the Board of Finance should remain appointed or become elected, while commissioners agreed to expand outreach and continue hearings on Feb. 17.
The New Canaan Charter Revision Commission heard more than an hour of public comment and town council testimony on Feb. 3 as residents and elected officials squared off over whether to convert major appointed bodies into elected offices.
During public comment Joseph, a resident who presented at length, urged wide charter changes and accused the current system of insufficient oversight, saying, “The charter is outdated, broken, and in need of revision.” He pointed to what he described as weak procurement controls, limited oversight of spending and audit interference as reasons for change.
Several residents pushed the commission to preserve certain elected posts. Laura Dice, who identified herself as a long-time election poll moderator, said the town clerk and treasurer should remain elected…
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