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Charter Revision Commission presents draft; selectmen debate term lengths, board roles and emergency powers
Summary
The Charter Revision Commission presented a draft charter after 16 months of work and 67 written comments, recommending retention of two‑year terms, clarifying town manager and first‑selectman roles, encouraging same‑party alternates when available, and moving some boards to ordinance control; selectmen raised questions about redlines, openness and board flexibility.
The Charter Revision Commission on Feb. 18 presented a draft revision to Simsbury’s municipal charter, framing its 16‑month review as a response to concerns about transparency and checks and balances.
Commission chair Chris Burnett opened the report by summarizing the commission’s process — 25 meetings, two public hearings and 67 written submissions posted on the town website — and said the commission focused on clarifying roles, improving notice practices and strengthening public engagement. "Public audience was a big thing," Burnett said, noting repeated calls for clearer public‑hearing notices and required public audience at boards and committees where legally appropriate.
Why it matters: The charter is Simsbury’s foundational government document. Changes to terms, the organization of boards and the delegation of authority affect how accountability and municipal decision‑making function year to year.
Major recommendations and…
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