Guilford Charter Revision Commission To Hold Public Hearing On Proposed Charter Changes

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Charter Revision Commission is scheduled to hold its second public hearing on proposed changes to the town charter on Thursday, July 30.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St. It will be recorded by GCTV and livestreamed on the GCTV YouTube page.

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The commission will also accept written comments submitted through the town's website before its next regular meeting on Aug. 4.

The commission is seeking public input on several proposed charter revisions affecting local elections, the budget process and town government terminology.

Among the proposed changes is a provision that would prevent an unsuccessful candidate for first selectman from automatically being considered for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Under the current charter, candidates who lose the race for first selectman are also included in the election for the board's four seats.

Another proposal would limit political parties to nominating only the number of candidates who could legally be elected under the town's minority representation rules

The commission is also proposing to allow voters to cast votes for all open Board of Selectmen seats.

Currently, voters may cast two votes for four open Board of Selectmen seats, in addition to voting for first selectman. Under the proposed change, voters could cast one vote for first selectman and one vote for each open Board of Selectmen seat.

Another recommendation would change the Annual Budget Meeting so it would serve only as an informational meeting.

Residents would still be able to comment on the proposed budget, but they would no longer be able to vote to reduce it before the referendum. The budget would instead be decided solely by referendum.

Other proposed revisions would clarify that the Town Meeting is the town's legislative body and define its three meeting types: the Annual Town Meeting, Annual Budget Meeting and Special Town Meeting.

The commission is also recommending updates to several official titles, including changing the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board, Selectmen to Select Board Members and First Selectman to First Selectperson.

View the recommended changes here.