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Consider These Factors

Those who have been following the charter revision effort in Clinton know that the Charter Revision Commission and the Board of Selectmen (BOS) have completed their work. They have produced proposed revisions of our charter that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. One proposal contains changes to our current government, which is the familiar BOS, Town Meeting, Board of Finance style, around since Colonial times.

The second version proposes a change to a professional town manager with a new town council. It contains aspects of the familiar, as town meetings will be required for many approvals and budget referendums will be continued. Both versions will be on the ballot as Yes/No Questions.

The town manager form is relatively new as compared to the selectmen form. As government and finance became more complex, many cities and towns concluded that more professional help was needed to manage public affairs. Therefore 55 percent of towns nationwide have adopted a professional town manager, so there is nothing to fear. I lived in a town with a town manager for 26 years and it was run very well. A town manager who has made this his or her career has every motivation to do a good job and has the education to go with it. Usually moving here from out of town, they don’t owe anyone any favors.

One benefit of the town manager is that it helps to eliminate the petty politics and personal agendas that often plague small towns like ours. Look around and see if you think the old form has served us well. Two committees of about 30 people pick who runs for first selectman, with no required qualifications other than a willingness to run. No wonder the results are often wanting. I hope your readers will consider these factors.

Selectman Philip C. Sengle (R)

Clinton