Major Change Coming To Clinton’s Form Of Government

CLINTON, CT — Following a majority vote in Tuesday’s election, Clinton’s form of government will change to a Town Manager and Town Council system. As a result of the vote, the Town Charter will be amended to provide for the new form of government. In approximately one year, on Nov. 19, 2019, Clinton will implement a Town Manager and Town Council Form of Government with related amendments to the Town Charter. During these 12 months of preparation, the town will organize the transition, including electing a larger Town Council and a professional selection of Clinton’s first Town Manager, according to officials.

Officials have announced the results of the ballot questions from Tuesday’s election. The following question: “Shall the Town of Clinton amend the Charter to adopt a Town Council and Town Manager form of government and associated amendments pursuant to the final report of the Charter Revision Commission dated August 28, 2018, to be effective November 19, 2019?”, was approved by a vote of 4,317 to 1,540.

The fourth question on the ballot: “Shall the Town of Clinton retain the Board of Selectmen form of government and make the various amendments pursuant to the amended Charter for such form of government contained in the final report of the Charter Revision Commission dated August 28, 2018, to be effective November 19, 2019?” received 2,347 “Yes” votes and 2,305 “No” votes.

There are 10,268 registered voters in Clinton and 6,501 votes cast for a voter turnout of 64 percent, according to the Town Clerk’s Office. There were 455 absentee ballots issued. To sign up for Clinton breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Read more on Clinton’s new form of government from the town’s press release below:

The Charter Revision has been a yearlong process. Clinton’s Charter Revision Commission of citizen volunteers brought forward the Town Charter amendments, now been enacted by the voters. The Commission was appointed by the Board of Selectmen and began meeting on February 15, 2018. The Commission met weekly and made edits to address procedures which are no longer relevant in our changing environment. They made technical changes to the budget and appropriations process, and updates to comply with General Statues and current Labor Law.

The Commission completed their work and filed the drafts of the Town of Clinton Charter with the Town Clerk on July 12, 2018. The next task was the review by the Board of Selectmen and a Public Hearing which was held on August 15th at 6:30PM. The Board of Selectmen had 15 days from the Public Hearing to make recommendations back to the Charter Revision Commission who then submit a final report to the Board of Selectmen. The Board then, under advisement of legal counsel, developed appropriate questions for the November 6th, 2018 ballot as directed by Connecticut General Statues 7-191.

The new Town of Clinton Charter will go into effect on November 19th, 2019 establishing the new form of government for the Town of Clinton will consist of a Town Manager and an elected seven (7) member Town Council, replacing the present Board of Selectmen, and related amendments. The search for a Town Manager will be conducted professionally.

The Board of Selectmen now seated and serving will constitute a search committee to review candidates for appointment as Town Manager to present to the new Town Council for consideration and appointment, as per Section 8 of the new Town Charter. This will provide for a process of review of candidates and the presentation of those candidates immediately to avoid a period after the next election without the office being filled. The Candidates will be determined on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, character, education, professional training, and experience, such as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA), Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) or related fields. The Town Manager need not be a resident of the Town or state at the time of appointment and may reside outside the Town while in office only with the approval of the Town Council.

Upon election of the initial Town Council, Town Manager candidates will be presented to the Council for selection. The Town Council shall appoint a Town Manager for a term not to exceed three (3) years.

The duties, responsibilities and powers of the elected seven (7) member Town Council are to enact ordinances and to enact emergency ordinances, additional powers and relations to Town manager’s appointees of the Town Council are outlined in Section 5 of the Town Charter.

NOTE: After computing the algorithm re: the Ct State Statue, it is confirmed that question number 3 on the ballot dated November 6, 2018 has passed by a majority of those that voted there on. The certified results of this State Election for 2018 can be found on the Town website on the Town Clerk’s page. Consequently, no recount is required or will be conducted.