Saying the town should seek as much public input as possible in any proposed changes to New Canaan’s major governing document, Selectman Kathleen Corbet on Tuesday recommended undergoing review of the Town Charter in 2024.
New Canaan typically forms its Charter Revision Commission every 10 years, Corbet noted during a regular Board of Selectmen meeting. The town last underwent the process in 2016, which also was a presidential election year that saw very high voter turnout here. Yet another 10-year period would mean that Charter-related questions are included on the ballot during a midterm election year.
“If you think about when is the, perhaps, opportune time to bring any changes to the Charter in front of the electorate, it’s probably where you expect to have the most people coming to vote and that’s typically in a presidential election,” Corbet said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “So if you think about that and you wait the full four years for a Charter Revision Commission to be established, that is outside of the presidential election.”
The comments came during a portion of the meeting dedicated to general matters before the town. (That part of the meeting, “Selectmen’s Comments,” hadn’t been included on the original agenda put together by First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, but Corbet and Selectman Nick Williams outvoted him 2-1 to re-add it, as they have in the past.)
During the 2016 election, New Canaan voters approved four of five recommended changes to the Town Charter—most notably, allowing electors to vote for six Town Council candidates (instead of four), and removing the first selectman as chair of the Board of Finance.
Responding to Corbet, Moynihan said, “This is the Town Council’s jurisdiction.”
Corbet responded that she plans to make the same recommendation directly to the legislative body, and wanted to share her idea before doing so.
“I am making a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen and obviously I will make the same to the Town Council, that we should take that under consideration, possibly if you back it up, and maybe say whatever consideration to changes to the Charter would be dropped before the electors in 2024 so that would be eight years instead of the full 10,” she said.
Moynihan responded, “I think the Town Council is probably talking a different schedule.”
Williams said, “It’s not a bad idea with respect to the number of voters turning out,” adding that it is a matter for the Town Council to determine.
Opening up the Town Charter is the right move and it is unclear why people would object to doing this. New Canaan has far fewer chances for public input compared with surrounding towns, when measured by how critical committees are composed (elections verses appointments). We have seen a series of issues recently where more direct public input and inclusion would significantly help the town and its residents.
In addition to Penny’s comment on this specific proposal, Giacomo, I wanted to note—and maybe this should have been part of the original article, given your comment about “far fewer chances” than other towns—that nobody has to wait for the formal Charter Revision Commission and process to change the Town Charter. The Town Council has a standing committee that fields such requests, and in fact has had at least two or three matters before it in recent months (gas-powered leaf blowers, advertising in public parks and establishment of an Affordable Housing Committee). The difference with the Charter Revision Commission is that the appointed body looks through the entire Charter and makes recommendations, whereas the Town Council Bylaws & Ordinances Committee is really only activated when there’s a specific request. I would imagine some residents who have ideas about amending the Charter do wait for the formal, periodic Charter Revision Commission process to bring those suggestions forward.
Thank you both – your and Penny’s comments are very helpful. I am in favor of a full review and glad this process is ‘in progress’. After my experience with getting people together at Irwin park for a discussion last spring, I think a deep dive on the full charter would help us all :-). As for the composition of the committee I would encourage the town bodies to make sure to cast a wide and representative net.
I
C21-10. Periodic Charter Review.
On or before November 8, 2026, and at least every ten (10) years thereafter, the Town Council shall consider and act upon a resolution calling for the establishment of a Charter Revision Commission to review and, if necessary, amend the Charter. The process of initiating the Charter Revision Commission shall be governed by § 7-188 of
the General Statutes.
Indeed the process initiates with the Town Council and I have already indicated to TC Chairman Steve Karl that at the next TC meeting (Jan.18) I will be making such a proposal to the General Government subcommittee. They will consider the proposal and formally present to the full Town Council to form a Revision Committee. The process is a lengthy one so, in order to bring any change proposals to the voters, the process needs to get underway a full two years prior to an election. And ideally, given the importance of any proposed changes, the maximum number of voters should vote, hence coinciding with a presidential election year.
Prior to the last Commission there was no formal established timeline to review the Charter. Though the date of November 2026 was stated, there perhaps are sufficient issues to study to call for Review at this time. So consider the proposal
process underway.
Thank you, Penny.