By Peter Barhydt
Debate over governance structure yields key votes on board sizes, term limits and appointment procedures
The Charter Revision Commission (CRC) moved forward this week with a series of decisions that could reshape how New Canaan’s boards and commissions operate, including adopting term limits and reaffirming the current structure of the Board of Selectmen.
The meeting, marked by extended deliberation and procedural votes, reflected a broader effort to balance continuity in governance with calls for increased accountability and transparency.
Among the most consequential outcomes was a vote to impose term limits on appointed boards and commissions. After discussion and amendment, the CRC approved a 12-year consecutive service limit. The motion passed by a 6-4 vote.
CRC members expressed differing views on whether such limits were necessary. Some argued that long tenure can limit opportunities for new participation, while others warned that forced turnover could diminish institutional knowledge.
“I think it is important to build expertise, particularly on land use,” one member said during discussion, noting concerns about losing experienced voices in complex areas like Planning & Zoning.
Others framed the issue differently, emphasizing governance over continuity. One commissioner argued that term limits would “provide some clarity” and “simplify the issue,” while another said the change would create “more movement in these groups” and open opportunities for broader participation.
The CRC agreed that members currently serving beyond the new limit would be allowed to complete their terms before the restriction takes effect.
In a separate vote, the CRC reaffirmed that the Board of Selectmen will remain a three-member body. The motion passed with eight votes in favor and two opposed.
The question of expanding the Board of Selectmen to five members had been raised as part of a broader discussion about transparency and governance. Supporters of the current structure argued that a smaller board encourages public deliberation rather than private consensus-building.
“I think the transparency is more important,” one member said, suggesting that a larger board could lead to more decisions being shaped outside public meetings.
Others saw potential benefits in expansion, including broader representation and workload distribution. Still, the prevailing view favored maintaining the status quo.
The CRC also addressed procedures for filling vacancies on appointed boards and commissions. Members approved language requiring that vacancies be publicly posted and that the Board of Selectmen review applications before making appointments.
Debate centered on how structured that process should be. Some members pushed for broader participation and review, while others cautioned against overcomplicating what has historically been a flexible and successful system.
“The board of selectmen shall review all applications and vote in a regular notice meeting on the appointment of the selected applicant,” one commissioner proposed, reflecting a compromise approach that emphasizes transparency without mandating interviews or additional procedural steps.
The CRC further agreed to impose a time frame for filling vacancies. After discussion of various options, members settled on a requirement that vacancies be filled within 120 days, with the Town Council being obligated to act if the Board of Selectmen does not.
Other governance questions remain under consideration, including whether certain boards should be elected rather than appointed, and how to structure oversight for bodies such as the Ethics Board and Audit Committee. The CRC has previously voted to keep the Planning & Zoning Commission appointed.
The CRC’s discussion reflected an underlying tension familiar in municipal governance: the desire to modernize systems without disrupting what many see as a functional status quo.
As one commissioner put it, “We’re grasping for a solution to a problem that isn’t really one,” while others countered that incremental reform is necessary to ensure long-term effectiveness.
The CRC is expected to continue refining its draft recommendations to the Town Council ahead of a scheduled public hearing.
