Commission wants to hear from public

0
53

PROSPECT — The town is prepared to discuss possible changes to the Town Charter for the first time in 15 years.

A newly-formed Charter Revision Commission met last week, and much of the discussion focused on how the commission should proceed. The last time the town formed a Charter Revision Commission was in 2000. Prior to that a commission was formed in 1987.

Attorney John Knott, who serves as counsel for the commission, said the next step is to hold a public hearing. Knott said once the commission has heard from the public it will be able to move forward with an understanding of what changes the public wants to see made.

The commission set a public hearing for Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. the Town Hall.

Commission Chairman Glenn Gruber questioned how the commission could get the public’s attention and get people to attend the hearing.

“How do you get somebody’s attention and get them to come here to talk about a document that they probably don’t even know exists,” Gruber asked.

Town Council Chairman Tom Galvin, who sits on the commission, said the commission needs to let residents know that this is their chance to voice their opinion.

“The charter is the rule book and this is going to be the first chance [to discuss it] in 15 years. Who knows when the next one will be that you’ll have a chance mold the way we do business,” Galvin said.

In addition to the public hearing, the commission plans to talk with elected officials and town employees about potential Charter changes they feel are necessary. The commission also set its meeting date for the rest of the year. Aside from the Nov. 12 public hearing, the commission scheduled meetings for Nov. 24, Dec. 10 and Dec. 22. All the meetings are at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.