Simsbury: Be Nice To Board Of Selectmen

SIMSBURY, CT — With 2024 shaping up to be an all-time year nationally for political incivility, Simsbury's top elected board has voted to try and ensure that doesn't happen locally.

And while the Simsbury Board of Selectmen's recent vote was to adopt a new "rules of procedure" for guests speaking before the town's top elected board, the reality is they adopted a new mandate — "be nice."

According to Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis, the new rules now have "decorum standards" for those addressing the board during public comment portions of meetings.

"We want to hear from all of you, but in a manner that is respectful to all – staff, residents, businesses, elected officials, and other volunteers, " Mackstutis wrote in her monthly report to residents on Dec. 18.

Mackstutis emphasized that criticism of local leaders is allowed and should not be squelched.

But, she said, it must be done with "civility and discretion."

"This section is not intended to deprive any person of their right to freedom of expression or speech, but only to maintain, a safe, productive, and harassment-free workplace and environment for town staff and visitors," she said.

Specifically, the new standards ask that meeting participants maintain a "civil tone" and not "impugn the motive, character or integrity of any individual," Mackstutis said.

The new standards give the board the right "to curtail any speaker addressing the board in a manner that is not consistent" with the new rules of decorum, she said.

For the full Simsbury Board of Selectmen Rules of Procedures, as updated Dec. 4, click on this link.

For Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis' December report, click on this link.