This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

So Darn Important

You can’t make this stuff up. I write again about charter revision because it’s so darn important. The most important of the proposed changes is to move to a town manager form of government. Many seem to agree. A history review is important as it’s clear that a majority of the Board of Selectmen (BOS) did not want a town manager and voted so in July to kill it.

Subsequently the grassroots Clinton Charter Reform Coalition was formed. Through great effort, it gained the necessary signatures to override the BOS and place charter revision on the ballot. Facing this reality, the BOS then discussed having the vote after the Nov. 7 election, when it would have a difficult time passing due to quorum requirements for a charter vote.

There is a flaw in the charter document, however, because it failed to cite an effective date if passed. This is serious, as it would force the charter revisions into effect 30 days after passage. This is impossible to implement. Knowing this, the BOS reversed course and placed it on the November ballot. The town attorney, also knowing this, sat on his hands. He reviewed drafts of the charter revision and knew or should have known. He should be worried.

It’s unbelievable that our soon-to-leave BOS members would take this action. It’s hard to let go of power. To her credit, Carol Walter was the only selectman who consistently supported the town manager proposal and also voted against sending a flawed revision to the November ballot. What’s the voter do? There are good BOS choices on the ballot—I encourage your readers to pick them. The BOS has intentionally placed those of us in favor of a town manager in a position where we might have to vote against revision—unbelievable!

Phil Sengle

Clinton

Republican Phil Sengle is seeking a seat on the Board of Selectmen.