The Ridgefield Charter Revision Commission has completed its first draft of proposed changes to the Town Charter, and will hold a public hearing on it on Saturday, May 20, 9:30 AM in Town Hall’s large conference room.
The hearing will give residents the opportunity to express their opinions about the proposed changes. The public’s comments will help inform what refinements, if any, the Commission will make on this first draft before forwarding it to the Board of Selectmen.
To help the public understand the full scope of the proposed changes, the Commission is posting its draft document on the town’s website. That draft will include a summary of the proposed changes, a “red-line” version of the Charter that is edited to show the changes, and a list of suggestions that the Commission received, researched, and discussed, but declined to put forward for change. Some printed copies of the draft will also be available at Town Hall and the Ridgefield Library. The Commission encourages residents to review those documents in advance of the public hearing.
At the hearing’s onset, Commission co-chairs Rebecca Mucchetti and Bob Cascella will give a brief overview of the charter revision process. Then they, along with the Commission’s seven other members, will listen to resident’s comments. Residents who choose to speak will be asked to introduce themselves and make their statements. In the unlikely event that there is a large number of speakers, they may be asked to keep their comments to under three minutes. Commission members may ask speakers to clarify or elaborate on a point, but there will be no lengthy discussions. Residents will be welcome but not required to stay for the entire hearing. All comments will become part of public record, and the Commission encourages those interested in speaking to bring written statements as well.
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