Simsbury Charter Revision Commission finalizes draft report, keeps Economic Development Commission out and retains 2‑year selectmen terms

The Simsbury Charter Revision Commission approved a final draft of proposed charter changes on March 30 and voted to keep several contested provisions intact, including the removal of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) from the charter and retention of two‑year terms for the Board of Selectmen.

The commission’s action followed a full discussion of edits suggested by the Board of Selectmen, legal clarifications about statutory exceptions and an extended debate over personnel provisions. Chair Jeff Persman opened the meeting and led commissioners through amendment-by-amendment review before the body voted to adopt the revisions as its final report.

Why it matters: The commission’s recommendations — if the Board of Selectmen and, ultimately, voters approve them — would change how the town codifies reporting duties, personnel rules and how the town manager consults with finance and bargaining partners. The decision about the EDC signals the commission’s preference to leave operational economic development choices to elected officials rather than entrench them in charter language.

Public comment and key testimony shaped parts of the discussion. Resident Joan Co., who spoke during public audience, urged the commission to preserve the traditional "first selectman" position and questioned whether the…