Who Makes Up The Charter Commission?

Apparently there are over 25 petitioners who are asking for signatures for the Charter Commission should we decide to adopt Home Rule. This is a staggering number for our town since there has formerly been a complacency that kept people away from politics. Congratulations to those who are making this choice, as it is an important issue and needs the commitment of our citizens.

A caution:

Town Government, currently led by John Baudeck, has for years stressed the lack of need for any change to our Town Government. These have been very public positions taken by the Mayor, Commissioners and the Town Administrator. The full Board has been in agreement, repeatedly, that we don’t need Home Rule, that several internal studies have been done and it was deemed not necessary in this Town. The reality is that there is potential under Home Rule that the Town may lose some privilege and control under Home Rule and may have to face tough decisions in the public eye. Rules could change so that salaries are published, bids for contract work would be made public, committees could be made up of elected members not all appointed by the Mayor. It seems time that finally we have an opportunity to make these positive changes in our community. Don’t be misled. Home Rule does not mean that taxes will go up. Home Rule does not mean that we are going to dismantle the good qualities that we have in the current political system. Instead, it would give us an opportunity to increase public input and openness and give citizens more say in spending, especially for large projects.

The caution is that the Town is in fear of losing the control they now have and are trying to stack the deck by having nearly the entire board run for Charter Commission. This is not the intention of the process and is not the case in most towns making the change. Often there is only one, sometimes there are none of current town officials on these commissions. The reason is that their input is not really needed. The State has provided a formula for writing and adopting a charter, an experienced attorney is brought in to assist and give examples of other town charters and the citizens are given free reign, without prejudice, to look at all viable options. It takes open minds, not those who only know one way of doing things. The past and present Town Boards have had many opportunities to make positive changes and have chosen not to. Therefore it should be obvious that if the Town is allowed to stack the deck we will lose options and will instead potentially lose our rights. They have suggested they wish to protect the current system and give themselves even more power. We need a true citizen’s effort to achieve a positive outcome. This is perhaps the one final opportunity we have to speak about the future of our Town. Trust independent candidates just as they have done in other towns.