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North Canaan selectmen schedule June 23 special town meeting to consider trooper contract and appointing key town officers
Summary
First Selectman Brian Ohler read a draft two-year Resident Trooper contract and a proposed tripartite ordinance to change the tax collector, town clerk and treasurer from elected to four-year appointed positions; the board voted to hold a special town meeting and public hearing on June 23.
First Selectman Brian Ohler read changes to a proposed two-year Resident Trooper contract and presented a draft tripartite ordinance to change the tax collector, town clerk and treasurer from elected offices to four-year appointed positions, and the Board of Selectmen voted to hold a special town meeting June 23 at 7:00 p.m. preceded by a public hearing.
Ohler told the board the draft Resident Trooper contract includes two specific provisions: if the town denies a pistol permit and that denial leads to a hearing, the town would cover the hearing costs; and the town must confirm any purchased technology is compatible with the trooper agency’s equipment before buying. Ohler said the selectmen will place the contract on the special town meeting agenda for consideration.
On governance changes, Ohler said, “By statute, these positions are controlled by what the State allows,” and argued appointing the tax collector, town clerk and treasurer for four-year terms would improve oversight and help recruit candidates who might otherwise avoid short-term appointments. He read draft ordinances into the record and proposed the items be discussed at the June 23 meeting.
Selectman Craig Whiting moved to hold the special town meeting; Selectman Jesse Bunce seconded. The motion carried. Whiting asked whether the Resident Trooper contract included an increase; Ohler said the cost increase is “around $5,000” but the formal proposal had not yet been delivered to the town.
Public commenter Kathy Keane asked who pays consultant Kirt Mayland for work on the solar RFP; Ohler replied Mayland’s payment would be rolled into the contractor’s costs. Keane also asked about the proposed four-year terms; Ohler said the change is intended to provide long-term security for those offices.
The board’s next procedural step is the public hearing and special town meeting on June 23, at which voters will be able to consider the Resident Trooper contract and the proposed tripartite ordinance. Any formal action will be recorded at that meeting.
