Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Town Clerk topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charter commission votes to keep New Canaan town clerk an elected office
Summary
Following testimony and research, the Charter Revision Commission voted 10–1 to retain the town clerk as an elected office, citing the clerk's statutory role in elections and public records; commissioners asked for clearer operational language in the charter to standardize administrative practices.
The Charter Revision Commission voted March 31 to retain the town clerk as an elected office after an extended discussion about statutory duties, operational capacity and long‑term staffing.
Multiple commissioners cited the clerk's statutory responsibilities for elections and vital records as the primary reason to keep the office elective. "The town clerk performs important functions around elections and records; that independence is especially important," Commissioner Jennifer said.
Commissioner Angela and others noted operational concerns — including staff coordination and consistency of administrative procedures — and asked the CRC to draft charter language clarifying administrative standards and departmental application of personnel policies. Angela recommended language ensuring that operational policies apply uniformly to the clerk’s office while preserving statutory independence.
On roll call the motion to retain the town clerk as an elected official carried: 10 members voted yes and 1 voted no; the commission asked staff to draft clarifying charter language for consideration at the next meeting.
Ending: The commission will include the retained elected status in the draft charter and circulate proposed administrative language for the clerk’s office before the April meetings.
