Is Fairfield Government Too Big Or Too Small? Residents Weigh In At Charter Hearing

FAIRFIELD, CT — Questions about the size and structure of Fairfield’s government were raised during the first of several hearings on the revision of the town charter.

Changes to the charter, which is the constitution for the town and was last updated in 2006, may go to the public for a vote next year after a newly appointed bipartisan Charter Revision Commission assesses the document and presents recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.

Among items of interest during Wednesday’s public hearing was the possibility that the charter review process could result in the removal of the Representative Town Meeting, which is Fairfield's 40-member legislative body.

“That view, it’s pretty strongly represented on this charter review committee,” said town meeting member Bill Gerber, D-2.

The Charter Revision Commission includes three former members of the Strategic Plan Committee, which, last year in a blueprint draft, proposed changing Fairfield’s government from a selectmen and town meeting structure to one with a town council and town manager, as well as a possible mayor.

“I’m very concerned this is more than most people in the public understand is going on here,” Gerber said, adding he worried such a change could remove a certain amount of institutional knowledge from town government.

Commission Chair Bryan Cafferelli offered some reassurance.

“Nothing is predetermined in this process whatsoever, I can assure you of that,” he said. “It’s the very beginning and it will be a very public and transparent process.”

Town meeting member Ed Bateson, R-1, expressed support more generally for streamlining Fairfield government, making specific reference to the town's many appointed boards and commissions.

“I think there’s a lot of government here,” he said. “Streamline it. More accountability, more transparency.”

Town meeting Moderator Karen Wackerman, D-7, had a different perspective.

“The benefits of the openness and transparency and engagement far outweigh any benefits of a smaller government,” she said.

Other speakers during the hearing, which was held on Webex and attended by about 90 people, called for greater accountability for town officials, better conservation protection and consideration of the diversity of Fairfield residents.

“There’s still a lot, too much, going on with the smoke-filled room and the closed doors,” resident Matthew Hallock said, proposing a citizen oversight board to remedy the problem.

Hallock was also worried about preservation in Fairfield.

“Are there ways that we can really address, you know, land use development and environmental concerns?” he asked, suggesting a charter preamble or preface might be the place for such sentiments.

Resident Patrick Burhenne was also focused on land use issues, as was Town Plan and Zoning Commission member Kathryn Braun.

“I hope the charter not only affirms but strengthens an independent conservation department,” Burhenne said. “If you weaken that independence I worry that what makes Fairfield attractive to developers and to people wanting to move in will be destroyed by the development.”

School board member Jennifer Jacobsen, Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz and resident Keri Langerman advocated for equitability and representation of all Fairfield residents in the revision process.

“The lack of diverse voices on this commission is a concern,” said Lefkowitz, who is co-chair of Fairfield's Racial Equity and Justice Task Force.

She asked the commission to take into account issues of race while formulating its recommendations.