Two (2) New Woodbury Ordinances - Here is what is going on!

Woodbury Friends,

Watch for this in Wednesday’s Voices:

“What is going on?

What is going on? Why schedule a Woodbury Public Hearing on two (2) New Ordinances at 4:30 PM? Would you say that Bill Butterly and Martin Overton were trying to limit public participation? These new ordinances passed at 9/11 Selectmen’s meeting, which Barbara Perkinson was not able to attend. One is for a Community and Economic Development Commission which would replace the present Woodbury Volunteer Business organization, establish a government commission with regulations and increase the cost/size of Woodbury’s government. Also passed, was an ordinance establishing an Arts and Culture Commission, which would replace many volunteer organizations in Woodbury, with the same big government bureaucracy problems stated above.

Heeding public outcry about the 4:30 timing, on 9/25 Mr. Butterly agreed to hold a continuation of the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM in the Emergency Services building. This will give those Woodbury residence who work an opportunity to attend. Anyone, who still is not able to attend at either of these times, should send a written opinion on these two big government power grab regulations to the First Selectmen’s office, as soon as possible.

It is time demonstrate you care about this move to increase our town government size and taxes, as well as the development of more intrusive new commission rules, regulations and ordinances. Don’t wait until it is too late and these commissions are established. A major reason why new businesses do not come to Woodbury, is the maize of Zoning Commission regulations developed by Martin Overton while he was its’ Chairman. Do we need commissions when volunteer organizations already exist?

Please help us stop Messrs. Butterly and Overton with their rush to get these regulations passed without major public review before November.

Arthur McNally”.

Here is what is going on!

Be aware that the “Community and Economic Development Commission (CEDC) Ordinance” (see copy below) is a blatant power grab by those behind this move to weaken the power of your vote for a First Selectman to represent you in this office. Please read this ordinance carefully and you will see this.

Isn’t fascinating to know that Alex DeSorbo is one of the prime movers in this effort with Bill Butterly and Martin Overton, as well as being assisted by such Community and Economic Development Ad-Hoc Committee members Robert Kolesnik, Michelle Escedy, Hiram Peck to name a few.

DeSorbo, Butterly and Overton developed a strategy to pass ordinances without any advance public release and debate, initially trying to schedule a 4:30 PM Public Hearing with the hope of a low turnout in order to put it on the agenda for the Annual Town Meeting, which normally has a low attendance of a few hundred town’s people. If this were to be successful, without full voter participation on ballot, the initial result would be that eight (8) appointed CEDC members would be given control of our town government by DeSorbo, Butterly and Overton. This would be accomplished without the necessity of changing the town’s charter, which is the normal way to approach such a momentous change to our government with a vote by the entire town. The structuring of this ordinance with its’ Severability clause would ensure its’ stance for a long time, while it is challenged in the Courts.

Please help stop Messrs. DeSorbo, Butterly and Overton with their rush to get these regulations passed without major public review and participation!

Thanks, Art McNally

AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IN THE TOWN OF WOODBURY

Be it ordained by the Town Meeting of the Town of Woodbury that this ordinance promoting community and economic development in the Town of Woodbury, Connecticut, adopted , 2014, and, effective , is hereby adopted as follows:

Section 1. Authority Pursuant to Sections 7-136 and 32-7 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and Chapter IV Section 609 of the Charter of the Town of Woodbury, in order to establish a comprehensive program to promote economic and community development in the Town of Woodbury, there is hereby established a Community and Economic Development Commission (CEDC) for the Town of Woodbury.

Section 2. Purpose The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for the establishment of a commission to oversee the preparation of a sound economic development plan and strategy, and promotion of the growth, retention and diversification of community activity, business, industry and tourism through the use of marketing, property tax incentives, existing and after-acquired resources, infrastructure development, and by recommendation and encouragement and other means as deemed appropriate by the Commission.

Section 3. Community and Economic Development Commission The Community and Economic Development Commission (CEDC) shall consist 8 (eight) members. Any provisions of the Charter of the Town of Woodbury notwithstanding, members shall be:

(a) electors of the town, however, as many as two members of the Commission may be taxpayers and not electors

(b) serve for a term of three (3) years, subject to reappointment for a maximum of two (2) additional terms, i.e. no member shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms

(c) nominated by the Commission (except as initially appointed by the Board of Selectmen) to the Board of Selectmen for appointment.

The Commission shall nominate more nominees than there are open seats to fill.

The composition of the Commission membership shall include no more than four (4) members of any one political party.

At its inception, the Commission membership will be appointed as follows: 3 members for 1 year term 3 members for 2 year term 2 members for 3 year term Thereafter expiring terms shall be filled for three year terms as above.

Any vacancy on the Commission, other than by expiration of term shall be filled, for the unexpired portion of the term, by the Board of Selectmen, however, nomination(s) shall be made by the Commission as above.

The First Selectman or his/her designee shall be an ex-officio member of the Commission.

Section 4. Powers and Duties

A. The Community and Economic Development Commission of the Town of Woodbury shall have all the powers and duties of municipal economic development commissions as set forth in Section 7- 136 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and shall replace all those functions, duties, and records of any ad hoc committees previously tasked similarly, which are hereby dissolved.

B. The Community and Economic Development Commission shall prepare, maintain and actively promote a written economic development plan and strategy containing the following elements:

(1) A general description of the types of and sizes of business, industry or tourism activities or services which are desirable, and which should be encouraged to establish or expand in Woodbury;

(2) Sustainable and resilient methods and approaches by which desirable pursuits should be identified, resourced, and/or recruited by the Town;

(3) Recommendations to streamline and improve governmental procedures so as to expedite the establishment or expansion of business, tourism, sound and sustainable housing options and/or community activities;

(4) A description of what the Town should do to establish a more favorable community climate, which may include, but are not limited to: a marketing program; proposed rezoning of land; amendments to local land use regulations and the Plan of Development; property tax incentives; and proposed infrastructure improvements so as to attract and retain targeted businesses, development, community services or tourism in and for the Town of Woodbury.

(5) An economic impact analysis based on applicable historical and/or projected data as well as maps and narratives supporting the location and strategies accompanying the recommendations of the commission.

(6) The CEDC may use various methods, such as round-table discussions, focus group forums, seminars, studies, surveys, polls and the like, in order to identify and prioritize community needs.

C. In order to responsibly enlist and measure the sentiment of the community into its activities, the Commission may use various methods, such as round table discussions, focus groups, “forums”, seminars, charrettes, studies, surveys, polls and the like, to identify and prioritize community needs and concerns.

D. In order to implement recommendations of a written economic development plan and strategy, the Community and Economic Development Commission is empowered to make applications for rezoning of land, variances, and/or applications for amendments to local land use plans and regulations, including but not necessarily limited to zoning, wetlands and historic regulations, that are designed to enhance tourism and promote desirable and sustainable development in the Town of Woodbury. However, nothing in this ordinance shall preclude other public or private entities from making applications for similar purposes.

E. The Community and Economic Development Commission, in concert with other commissions or authorities of the Town of Woodbury, may recommend and/or pursue and coordinate infrastructure projects designed to promote business, industry, tourism and/or the overall quality of life and the value of public and private property, including acquisition of buildings and properties, construction of water supply systems, public sewers, storm water drainage systems, and/or street and highway improvements. In pursuing these projects, the Community & Economic Development Commission may seek on behalf of the Town of Woodbury, State or Federal grants, loans, private investments or technical assistance for infrastructure development.

F. The Community and Economic Development Commission, in order to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, may employ such actions to develop and/or facilitate local economic incentives including property tax abatement programs and the establishment of tax increment financing districts and business improvement districts as provided for under Public Act 90-270 and other sections of the Connecticut General Statutes.

G. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Community and Economic Development Commission may represent Woodbury and act as liaison, with other municipalities, local chambers of commerce, Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley (COGCNV), and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and any applicable public or private group in developing and supporting regional marketing programs or strategies to retain, attract or provide for the diversification of tourism, community services and business in the Town of Woodbury.

H. The Community and Economic Development Commission shall have the authority to request and expend such appropriation of funds, contract for services and materials, and employ personnel, in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut and Woodbury Charter, as may be required to carry out the purposes of this ordinance.

I. The Community and Economic Development Commission will solicit the support of the Office of the First Selectman to promote economic development.

J. In developing strategies for economic development in Woodbury, the CEDC may utilize resources available from agencies such as, but not limited to, Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley (COGCNV), the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and Connecticut Business and Industry Association, and Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC).

K. The Community and Economic Development Commission shall annually prepare and transmit to the Town Meeting, at its annual November meeting, a report of activities and its recommendations for improving economic conditions and development as described in Section 4. B. (above).

Section 5. Severability If any provision of this Ordinance shall be held invalid by a court having competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not effect any other provisions of this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provisions, and for this purpose the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.

The other PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR “ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION”

There shall be an Arts and Culture Commission consisting of seven (7) members appointed. Terms of membership will be three (3) years, except that for the initial formation of the Commission and appointment, which will have 2 members appointed for a 1 year term, 2 members appointed for a 2 year term and 3 members appointed for a 3 year term. There shall be two (2) alternate members, except that for the initial formation of the Commission and appointment, which will have 1 alternate member appointed for a 1 year term and 1 alternate member appointed for a 2 year term. The Woodbury Arts and Culture Commission shall be responsible for identifying and developing new opportunities, venues and audiences for arts and cultural programing in the Town of Woodbury and advise and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on these topics. The Woodbury Arts and Culture Commission will also provide input into the development of public venues for their possible use for performing and fine arts usage and for a full range of cultural programming.”

The other PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR “ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION”

There shall be an Arts and Culture Commission consisting of seven (7) members appointed. Terms of membership will be three (3) years, except that for the initial formation of the Commission and appointment, which will have 2 members appointed for a 1 year term, 2 members appointed for a 2 year term and 3 members appointed for a 3 year term. There shall be two (2) alternate members, except that for the initial formation of the Commission and appointment, which will have 1 alternate member appointed for a 1 year term and 1 alternate member appointed for a 2 year term. The Woodbury Arts and Culture Commission shall be responsible for identifying and developing new opportunities, venues and audiences for arts and cultural programing in the Town of Woodbury and advise and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on these topics. The Woodbury Arts and Culture Commission will also provide input into the development of public venues for their possible use for performing and fine arts usage and for a full range of cultural programming.”

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