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Public urges keeping Economic Development Commission in charter and separating conservation from wetlands oversight
Summary
At a Feb. 23 public hearing on the Charter Revision Commission’s draft report, residents urged separating the Conservation Commission from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency, keeping the Economic Development Commission in the charter, and aligning commission terms; the board continued the hearing to March 2, 2026.
First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis opened the Board of Selectmen’s public hearing on the 2025 Charter Revision Commission draft report on Feb. 23, and residents used the forum to press for several changes.
John Picoult said the Conservation Commission and the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency should remain separate bodies. Picoult argued that when the functions are combined ‘‘the Conservation component gets neglected’’ because wetlands work is all-consuming, and he noted the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions recommends separation.
Jay Sheehan recommended structural changes to improve governance, suggesting odd-numbered commissions to avoid tie votes and proposing a move from a Selectmen form of government to a council form to increase transparency and long-term planning. Sheehan also urged aligning terms across boards, saying six-year terms for the Board of Finance are out of step with other commissions.
Charmaine Seavy, chair of the Economic Development Commission, and other residents urged the board not to remove the EDC from the charter, saying the commission is active and helps support grand list growth and local business outreach. ‘‘They are not dormant or inactive,’’ Seavy said, adding that the commission had ideas turned down by the Board of Selectmen and that removal from the charter would harm cohesion.
Other public commenters flagged drafting problems in the charter text and concerns about the First Selectman’s role and compensation language. Joan Coe urged keeping a Town Manager form of government and called for clearer language in Sections 401 and 404; Susan Masino requested more consistent public notices, accessible meeting links, recordings and timely minutes, and pointed out duplicated subsection lettering in Chapter III.
After public comment the board voted to continue the hearing to March 2, 2026, to allow additional input. Diana Yeisley moved to continue the hearing; Kevin Beal seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board said it will wait until all public comments are received and then review the commission’s draft against a provided checklist before taking further action.
