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Selectmen close charter‑revision hearing after residents urge clearer language and more transparency
Summary
The Board of Selectmen closed the continuation of a charter‑revision public hearing on March 2 following several public commenters who praised the charter commission’s process and urged clearer language on roles, more timely posting and local signage for hearings (noting West Simsbury). The board explained closing the hearing starts the statutory decision window.
The Board of Selectmen closed the continuation of the charter‑revision public hearing on March 2 after a series of public commenters urged clearer charter language and better public outreach.
Several residents — including Diane, Lori Boyco and Ellen Gilbert — testified during the public comment segment. Diane praised the charter revision commission, urging the board to publish more of its deliberations so the public can understand how decisions are reached. “You did an amazing job,” she said of the commission, and added that confusing titles such as ‘chief executive’ can blur lines between the town manager (the chief administrative officer) and the governing board.
Lori Boyco asked the board to clarify who has authority to create boards, commissions and subcommittees and suggested moving the Economic Development Commission out of the charter into ordinance so the Selectmen can adjust it more readily. Ellen Gilbert asked the town to place sandwich‑board signage in neighborhoods like West Simsbury and on major routes before hearings to increase attendance and awareness.
After public testimony the Chair asked for a motion to close the public hearing. The board moved and seconded the motion and voted in favor. Closing the hearing starts the statutory 14–15 calendar‑day window for the board to take any action on the charter draft or to return it to the revision commission.
What comes next
With the hearing closed, the board has the time window to discuss the draft, consider any revisions, and decide whether to place a charter change on the ballot or send the draft back to the charter revision commission. Residents urged that any future actions include explicit public explanations of how the board weighed testimony and arrived at decisions.
The town manager and staff noted they would ensure upcoming meetings and materials are posted widely and that the Board will consider additional outreach steps requested by residents.
