Should the Affordable Housing Committee, which currently reports to the Board of Selectman, report instead to the Planning and Zoning Commission?
Should the positions of town treasurer and tax collector become appointed rather than elected, (a change that was rejected by voters in 2018)?
Those are among the issues that residents are raising with the Charter Revision Commission, and its members will be considering these questions at their next regular meeting on Thursday, March 16, 6:30 pm, in the Town Hall Annex.
A complete agenda and minutes from past meetings are posted on the town website.
The first part of each meeting is designated for public comment, offering residents the opportunity to express their ideas and effect change on how our town is governed. Residents may also send emails or letters with written suggestions to the Commission (Ridgefield Town Hall, 440 Main St.).
The Commission is soliciting input for charter changes from residents and members of town boards, commissions, committees, and agencies throughout March and April. It will consider and evaluate these proposals, and then publish a draft of proposed changes.
About Charter Revision
The Town Charter is comparable to a state’s constitution or an organization’s by-laws. Because it defines the basic authorities and operating rules of the town, it directly affects each resident. State law determines how and when the town’s charter can be changed.
Charter changes run the gamut from significant shifts in the structure of town government to small edits that clarify wording. In the last charter revision cycle, proposed changes included separating the Inland Wetlands Board from the Planning and Zoning Commission, which was approved by voters.
To read the charter, or for more information on the current commission or past charter changes, go to the town’s website. For reminders of upcoming charter revision public hearings, sign up for ‘general government notifications’ on Ridgefield Alerts.
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