Southington to discuss banning service on multiple town boards
SOUTHINGTON — The Charter Revision Commission moved forward Wednesday night on discussion of a change that would bar anyone from serving on multiple town boards at the same time.
The item was brought to the commission via public comment April 1, and cited as an example service on both the Board of Finance and the Board of Police Commissioners. Charter revision commissioners did not mention Robert Triano (a police commissioner and Board of Finance member) by name Wednesday night, but they cited his situation.
Town attorney Mark Sciota said the charter already prohibits anyone from serving simultaneously on two elected boards. Members of the Board of Finance members are elected; police commissioners are appointed.
Charter Revision Commis-sioners Andrew Meade and Brian Callahan each said having someone on any board with a budget and also on the Board of Finance constitutes a conflict of interest.
Charter Revision Commissioner Dennis Conroy said that if there was a prohibition against serving on more than one board at a time, some of the members of the commission itself might be ineligible. But Sciota said the Charter Revision Commission could craft a proposed change that would apply specifically to the Board of Finance, citing that board’s supervisory role.
Philip Landino warned that a wide-ranging prohibition of multiple board service could leave the town short on board members.
“There are times when you struggle to find people to serve on commissions,” Landino said.
William Knoegel said, though, that if the town promoted a system where more spots became available, more people might step forward to fill them.
The panel voted to move the item from its Schedule A to Schedule B, for more discussion. As with any item on the commission’s agenda, this one could be dismissed at any time. When items reach Schedule C, Sciota begins working on language for a proposed charter change.
The Charter Revision Commission also voted 7-5 (with one member missing) to table at Schedule B a proposed change that would bar any member of the Town Council from holding any other city office or city employment during his or her term. Sciota said such a change would not stand up to a legal challenge, but commission member Richard Post prevailed, arguing that the issue needed more study before it could be dismissed.
The Charter Revision Commission has no legislative or regulatory power. If a proposed charter revision reaches Schedule D and is approved by the panel, it moves on to consideration by the Town Council. Any changes to the town charter would ultimately be decided in referendum.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment