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June 20, 2007
CRC Chair Presents Second Quarterly Report to BOS
Transfer of Charter Provisions to Code of Ordinances Questioned
Charter Revision Chair Vickie Riccardo presented her Commission’s second quarterly report to the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on Monday night the 18th of June. The CRC’s first quarterly report was presented to the Selectmen in March.
Riccardo told the Selectmen that the Commission’s focus for the past three months has been “Issue driven with an emphasis on developing recommendations.” She added, “Once we have agreed on our proposals, we will consult a municipal law expert to assure that we draft a Charter for Darien’s voters that is consistent, coherent and correct, and that complies with State law.”
Ms. Riccardo updated the Selectmen about four CRC subcommittees currently at work and their objectives. The Political Issues and Administrative Issues Subcommittees developed specific proposals for review by the entire Commission. Questions arising from these findings were then referred to Town Counsel Wayne Fox to determine whether they conflict with State law. A third Subcommittee is vetting municipal law experts for the final drafting of the Commission’s Charter revisions. And, the fourth Subcommittee is identifying provisions to be transferred from Darien’s Charter to the Code of Ordinances.
“The CRC general plan is to limit the Charter’s scope to elected bodies, elected officials and certain appointed officials, particularly the Town Administrator, Finance Director and Planning and Zoning Director.” Riccardo added, “The Re-codification Subcommittee will work closely with the RTM’s Town, Government Services and Administrative Committee to assure that provisions transferred from the Charter can be re-codified and become effective as ordinances.”
Selectman Susan Young asked for clarification on the re-codification efforts. Riccardo explained, “ Our objective is to focus the Charter on the five primary elected Boards, the Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the RTM and to move provisions that may be more mutable to the ordinances, which can be amended by the RTM without a formal 16 month Charter Revision process.”
First Selectman Evonne Klein supported the CRC’s work on re-codification efforts by saying that moving some of these details to the Code would enable more flexibility for the Town to respond when the community changes and allow the Charter to better stand the test of time.
The Charter Revision Commission’s next meeting is this Thursday at 11am in Town Hall.
Submitted by Natalie Tallis
Posted by EmilyW at June 20, 2007 03:16 PM