Town Charter Revisions 2009

Wow! Have you seen the news regarding the issues and emotions at political gatherings across the country? Any idea of what is causing the swelling of thinking and intensity of political emotions? “My opinion,” money and the ability to control how it is being spent, your money and your tax dollars!

“What’s happening in Killingworth, CT?”

The revisions to the “Town Charter?” I have now read or heard people from both political parties saying they have concerns regarding the revisions to “the Charter.” One primary concern addressed by the Committee was “continuity of the town government.” Particulary regarding the “selectmen’ s” term of office. A selectmen's term is two years. To address that concern, the Charter Revision Committee's opinion suggests that we need to fill two currently unfilled positions in the town government. The positions of Director of Public Works and Executive Secretary. The position of Director of Finance is currently filled. These positions are in the current Charter. The perceived idea is that filling the positions of Executive Secretary and Director of Public Works, will provide the town with a continuity in how our town government operates. You could interpret that the Revision Committee's opinion is that are current town government would be managed more effectively into the future by "filling" these positions.

My point of reference for the above comes from the "Killingworth Today" article on June 18 "Charter Revision Commission Hears Out Residents."

Why do we need these positions filled now? We have a Board of Selectmen. Killingworth government has been running just fine. No tax increases. No budget problems. The town has been managed effectively and efficiently. Filling the afore mentioned positions would require salaries/money for the positions. Where will the money come from? Would it not have been easier to extend the terms of the “Selectmen?” Wouldn't you agree it would have been more cost effective? Why didn’t the Selectmen encourage longer terms?

Killingworth is less than half the size of any town in CT that utilizes a “Town Manager” form of government, which is essentially what the “revised Town Charter” would have you vote for. The money is not in the current Town Budget to support the “revised Town Charter” recommendations. The money is not there, unless you want to cut services or increase taxes?

I will vote “no” against the “Charter Revisions” in November.

Have a voice in our community.....vote!

Bill Romero