Personnel Sub-Committee Regular Meeting March 23, 2015

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – PERSONNEL SUB-COMMITTEE "SUBJECT TO APPROVAL"
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 23, 2015

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Personnel Sub-Committee of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: Chairman Christopher Kelly, members Sean Askham and Cheryl Cook. Others in attendance included First Selectman Lisa Heavner, Board members Michael Paine and Nancy Haase; Director of Administrative Services Thomas Cooke, Executive Director of the Simsbury Housing Authority Ed LaMontagne, and other interested parties.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARING

• To Receive Comment concerning the Town of Simsbury’s form of Government

Mr. Kelly said the Committee has put together some historical information and some information on what would be involved in a Charter Revision Commission. They went back to 1985 to see if the form of government was reviewed and what recommendations were made. He went through all of the information.

Mr. Kelly went through the General Statutes Chapter 99, Section 7-187 through 7-194 – Charter Revision Requirements, which explained the initiation of amendments to the Charter, through the Commission proceedings.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

John Carroll, 31 Terry’s Plain Road, read a letter from the Charter Revision Commission draft statement on professional management, dated May 10, 1995. He also had a file from the Charter Revision Committee. There was a great deal of research in this file on First Selectman and Town meeting.

Mr. Carroll feels the question is what has to be done to integrate administrative functions with the Legislative and executive functions of the Town. Also, is the Town meeting form of government appropriate today when so few people attend a Town meeting? Mr. Carroll gave his documents to Mr. Cooke to copy for the Sub-Committee.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, asked why another Public Hearing was needed. She said she wanted to hear from the Board of Selectmen on what their position is on the form of government and on having another Charter Revision Commission look into this. She is all for a Town Management form of government.

Krista Menzel, 20 Laurel Drive, said there have been a lot of Charter Revision Commissions, but they have never taken the step to change the form of government. So far, there have only been piecemeal changes and she feels this needs to stop. She feels a Charter Revision Commission is needed to discuss the form of government and to finally make the correct and complete changes.

CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING

Ms. Cook made a motion to close the Public Hearing at 6:25 p.m. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Ms. Cook said she feels it is time to appreciate everyone’s opinion and she agrees that the piecemeal approach doesn’t work. She feels we need to solidify the Town’s objectives and purpose and find a way to move forward. She is hopeful that a Charter Revision Commission will be able to also deal with other issues.

Mr. Askham said he feels obligated to convene a Charter Revision Commission now. We do need to do a better job of defining job descriptions. He knows it is a long, time intensive process, but he does feel it is very worth it. He is also hopeful that other issues can be looked at.

Mr. Cooke said he is discussing other issues with the Town Attorney to see what the process would be.

Mr. Kelly said he would like to have a defined scope and better guidance for the Charter Revision Commission.

POSSIBLE ACTION

Ms. Cook made a motion to recommend that the Board of Selectmen empower the Personnel Sub-Committee to perform research, development and scope for full Board of Selectmen recommendation for a Charter Revision Commission. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

ADJOURN

Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathi Radocchio
Clerk