Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Term Limits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission pauses decision on town term limits after legal briefing
Summary
The commission heard legal views that Connecticut law offers no controlling precedent on municipal term limits and voted to postpone a decision until next month to gather more analysis and voter-facing explanatory text.
The Stonington Charter Revision Commission heard a detailed legal briefing on term limits and postponed any decision until its next meeting.
Town attorney Brian Estep told commissioners there is no controlling Connecticut appellate ruling that squarely authorizes or bars municipal term limits; he cited Simons v. Canty and Caulfield v. Noble as related precedents but described the issue as "fact specific" and legally unsettled. Estep said the question is as much political as legal and that a court challenge could be expensive: he estimated litigation costs could range, depending on appellate review, at roughly "$25 to $50,000." The commission asked counsel to prepare text and examples the public can review before a vote.
Commissioners discussed whether the commission's role is to recommend removal or retention of term limits or to leave the matter to a public vote. Consultant Steve Pimentek explained how charter questions typically appear on the ballot and said commissions often include explanatory text and section-by-section notes to help voters. Chair David Lee proposed more research and a clearer record for an advisory recommendation.
After discussion the commission voted to postpone a decision until the next meeting to allow staff and counsel to prepare comparative research, cost estimates, and explanatory ballot materials. The motion to postpone carried by voice vote.
