Southbury Considers Expanding First Selectman Term, Other Changes

SOUTHBURY, CT — Southbury is considering making major changes to the first selectman and selectmen positions in town. The Charter Revision Commission has recommended that the term lengths for the positions be changed from two years to four years.

Additionally a losing candidate for first selectman wouldn't be able to bump a selectman candidate. Gender-specific titles would be changed to gender neutral so the first selectman would be referred to as first selectperson.

The first selectman would be required to make a state of the town report to electors and all appointments and removals of employees or board members would be done by a majority vote of the board of selectmen.

A public hearing will be held July 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall where residents can voice their opinions on the proposed charter changes. There are then a number of steps before voters can make a decision on the proposed changes on Election Day.

Here are some of the other proposed changes:

• Require a financial impact analysis be completed before any grant, gift of real or tangible personal property, labor contract, other contract with a term beyond 12 months, or modification to town employee benefit programs are accepted
• Raised dollar thresholds for the transfer of funds (from $5000 to $10,000 -First Selectman and Finance Director approval and from $20,000 to $40,000- Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance approval)
• All grant applications must be approved by the Board of Finance and Selectmen prior to submission
• Posting of ordinances (either adoption or repeal), Board of Selectmen agendas, and budgets on the town website and bulletin board in Town Clerk's office
• Allow the Chairman pro tem to act on behalf of the First Selectman
• Allow the First Selectman to delegate duties to Selectmen
• Addition of a Strategic Plan Commission
• Language change to expand police options from State Trooper program
• Code of Ethics receipt must be acknowledged in writing by employees and officials
• Addition of an EDC Director and Human Resources Director