Charter commission splits over making town clerk subject to townwide administrative rules

The New Canaan Charter Revision Commission voted to approve a narrow edit allowing an elected town clerk to appoint assistant clerks but stalled on two additional paragraphs that would explicitly apply town administrative policies to elected department heads.

Supporters argued the language is aimed at operational consistency and does not remove statutory independence. Commission member Angela said the goal was to ensure ‘‘operational and HR policies are consistently applied across town hall’’ while preserving any statutory protections for elected offices.

Opponents disputed that the change belongs in the charter. Committee member Joe said, “I think there are some very serious issues with the second and the third paragraph,” arguing the paragraphs could in effect subject an elected official to oversight that conflicts with established charter provisions protecting elected officers. Several members urged moving broader operational language into a general section that would apply to all department heads, elected or appointed, rather than singling out the town clerk’s article.

After extended discussion, the panel approved the first paragraph (assistant town clerk appointment and oath) as written and agreed to reposition or rework the second and third paragraphs into a more general administrative section to be drafted and circulated before the commission’s next meeting.

Next steps: members asked staff to circulate revised language for a general administrative policy section that would apply to all department heads and return it for vote at a subsequent session.