Oxford Charter Revision - Explanation and Comments

First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers commended this Commission for its hard work and comprehensive review of the Charter.  “I think they did an outstanding job,” she said.  “The commission worked very well together, and looked at all the necessary things we asked them to look at.  They took confusing language and statements and made the charter a much more professional document.”  “The revised document for 2011, however, is far more streamlined and concise, she said, and clarifies a host of issues, from better defining the role of the Board of Finance, to limiting charter revision to every five years and more” (Oxford Patch – 7/11 – ).

Lila Ferrillo, Chairman of the Board of Finance, also praised this commission for its work. “It sounds like it’s definitely better that what we had; I think you’ve done a great job,” she said (Oxford Patch – 5/26 - ).  Mrs. Ferrillo was also quoted as saying: “The BOARD OF FINANCE is the ultimate gate keeper of the town’s finances.  It is imperative to have checks and balances” (Oxford Patch - 7/17 - ).

The Charter Revision Commission was re-appointed in September 2010 by a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen to review and propose revisions to various sections of the Charter as requested by that Board.  After receiving input from the Board of Selectmen, as well as residents at large, the Charter Revision Commission commenced its work.  Every member of the Charter Revision Commission went into this process with one goal, to review the current Charter & suggested changes and then to propose revisions to Oxford’s Charter that were in the best interest of Oxford and its residents.  At no point, during any of our deliberations, did politics play any part in the ultimate decisions we made on the proposed revisions.  Every revision we proposed came as a result of independently thinking residents, working together, wanting to make sure our system had a proper system of checks and balances, where needed, and is, what we believe to be, in the best interest of Oxford and its residents, not only for today, but tomorrow too.

The section of the Charter where we spent the most time was Article 6, Finance and Taxation.  On this section alone, we spent almost 40% of the Charter Revision Commissions entire time.  As it related to this article, our Commission’s intent was to more clearly define the borrowing process, identify and define the roles of the involved parties, and to ensure there was a system of checks and balances that followed state statute as it related to our Town Meeting form of government.  Our research indicated that in Oxford and based on our “Selectmen-Town Meeting” form of government, “towns which operate under the general statutes, the Board of Finance has complete charge of the town government's financial activities.”  “Acting directly as elected officials of the town, the Board of Finance is the principal architect of local financial policy which ultimately determines the extent of all governmental activity.”  [Handbook for Connecticut Boards of Finance - A Guide to the General Statutes & Principles of Financial Administration (University of CT)]

Practically speaking, as a resident, I do not want to have a Board of Selectmen that believes it can spend any money it wants, without due diligence being done by the Board of Finance to determine if Oxford can actually afford to spend that money.  Most of the time, unless it’s polarizing issue, residents go along with the proposals the Board of Selectmen puts forth and do not think of the long term implications because as humans, we respond to instant gratification.  By following this mentality, a Board of Selectmen can get elected and start proposing “feel good” projects that residents vote for because it feels good to do so, but then comes the time to start paying for these projects…how?...by raising taxes!

The Board of Selectmen determines the ultimate direction of the town and is the only Board who can propose projects.  The Board of Finance can only say yes or no and they cannot set direction or make policy.  The Board of Finance’s financial responsibility comes into play when we are talking about a project and how to pay for it.  State statute gives them this power because of the “Selectmen-Town Meeting” form of government and that is what Oxford operates under, so as a resident, I feel better knowing there is someone looking out for how my money is being spent.

As a part of this financial responsibility that the Board of Finance has to the residents of Oxford, the Charter Revision Commission has proposed a revision requiring the Board of Finance to propose alternative funding sources should they not favor a project, thus giving the Board of Selectmen an opportunity to come back to the Board of Finance with specifically what the Board of Finance is looking for to pass the project.  The Board of Finance would have to explain its reasoning for denials, something they don’t need to do now, making them more accountable for their actions.  Ultimately, the Board of Finance can still deny a project if it is not in the best interests of Oxford or its residents, but the new process allows for a more open and honest system of checks and balances.

Every member of the Charter Revision Commission went into this process with one goal, to review the current Charter & suggested changes and then to propose revisions to Oxford’s Charter that were in the best interest of Oxford and its residents.  As Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, I believe we have proposed revisions that address the needs of Oxford both in the short term and long term, and I believe that with the stated support of both the First Selectman and the Chairman of the Board of Finance, as well as a Candidate for the Board of Selectmen, that the residents of Oxford will support these long overdue & necessary revisions too.

Brett Olbrys
Oxford Charter Revision Commission