Strong mayor or town manager? - Charter Revision Commission tackles issue

WINSTED — Three months into its existence, the town’s latest Charter Revision Commission is still considering changes to Winsted’s governing document, most notably as it pertains to the power structure at Town Hall.

Commission Chairman Kathleen O’Brien said Wednesday that it’s too early for the five-member board to make any decisions regarding changing the charter, but the group is moving forward with its mission.

"We’re still debating whether or not we think a strong mayor is an appropriate form of government for Winsted," O’Brien said.

The town’s Republican-led Board of Selectmen created the Charter Revision Commission in December, instructing members to examine the possibility of replacing the town manager with a mayoral form of government. The majority party has indicated that it supports the change, which would put the elected mayor in charge of town departments.

O’Brien, a Democrat, is joined by Democrat Mark Svonkin; Republicans Richard Lavieri and John Sullivan; and unaffiliated member Brian O’Heron. She said board members came into the process with their own opinions as to what recommendations should be made to the Board of Selectmen, but have been courteous and open-minded in their discussions. Right now, there are two members in favor of changing to a mayoral form of government, two against and one undecided.

"Brian O’Heron has done a terrific job researching other towns that have a mayoral form of government, but not necessarily a strong mayor," the chairman said. "We each have a packet of different town charters and we’ve been doing our own research. What we’re trying to determine is, if Winsted went this way, what would we want this person to do?"

O’Brien said strong leadership is needed in Winsted, regardless of which form of government the town chooses.

"We pretty much agree there have to be some strengths given to the executive, whether it’s the mayor or the town manager," she said. "We’re looking at the town manager position as it is now and trying to get an understanding of what would be better for this town."

But the term "strong mayor" does not connote anything close to absolute power, O’Brien noted.

"I think the perception is that we’re going to give all this power to one person," she said. "But in communities that have a strong mayor, the mayor does not have all the power. The boards of selectmen and town councils have to okay the nominations. There are a lot of checks and balances throughout the systems."

One check in many strong mayoral systems is the option for voters to recall leaders.

"A lot of these towns have recall votes for their entire elected slates," O’Brien said. "That includes the board of education and board of selectmen — anyone can be recalled. It’s not a simple process — nor should it be — but it’s something we’re looking at."

O’Brien said that if the Charter Revision Commission does decide to suggest a strong mayoral form of government, an option to recall the mayor would give voters more control.

"My thought is if you had a mayor who was really messing up, the people would have the right to take that person out. There would have to be a process to elect a new mayor."

The Charter Revision Commission has discussed all of these issues but is not prepared to make any motions on specific revisions.

"The only changes we are contemplating at this time are changes in the timeline for passing the budget," O’Brien said. "There would be opportunities for budget referendums at a quicker pace. We’re not looking to change the town meeting or referendum. We just want to make the process more efficient."

O’Brien said the Charter Revision Commission has been meeting twice monthly, but the schedule may become more frequent as board members collect all the necessary information to debate different charter revision options.

"We’re trying to be thorough and take at least six months," she said. "It would probably behoove us to have something done by the November elections, because they will be highly attended."

In the end, Winsted voters will have the last say when it comes to charter revision.

"Even if we recommend to the Board of Selectmen that we move to a mayoral form of government, the board will have to give the people choices," O’Brien said. "Voters may choose a strong mayor, or they may choose the option to improve and strengthen the town manager’s position. Or they may decide not to choose anything at all."

The next Charter Revision Commission meeting will be Wednesday, March 26, 7 p.m., at Town Hall.