First Selectman's Corner - February 6, 2019 Special Town Meeting
Special Town Meeting
As many of you know, a Special Town Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall. There are 3 proposed Ordinances that will be considered for adoption. Two of the ordinances are "housekeeping items" -- proposed changes to existing ordinances that have to do with the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Item number one on the Call of the Meeting is to consider adoption of 'Amendment to Ordinance 67-4'. This ordinance clarifies the terms of the members on the P&Z Commission.
Item number two on the Call of the Meeting is to consider 'repeal Ordinance 67-2.' This will allow for clarification of the terms of alternate members on the P&Z.
Item Number three is to consider adoption of an 'Ordinance concerning Appointment of a Tax Collector'. Adoption of this ordinance would change the position of the Tax Collector from an elected official to an appointed town employee. The term "appointed" is causing some confusion and angst among some people who are not understanding the purpose of this proposed change.
Appointed in this case is more of a ceremonial act that will occur every two years by each newly elected Board of Selectmen. It does not mean that the individual serving as the Tax Collector would be at the whim of the Board of Selectmen. The individual in the Tax Collector position would become a full time town hall employee and as such would be a member of the Union that currenty is in place. Anyone familiar with Union membership knows that an union employee cannot be discharged without due process. A change in personnel could not happen "just because someone wanted to appoint someone else."
The job of Tax Collector requires specific training and knowledge. There is certification required to be a Tax Collector. The Town of New Hartford has been very fortunate to have had a qualified Tax Collector in this position for 33 years. There has not been the need to consider moving this from an elected position to a non-elected position until now.
In order to insure that an individual is qualified to be a Tax Collector, it is best to have a candidate go through a regular job application process.
Many area towns have already made this transition from elected to non-elected; this is not a new concept, it is a widely accepted practice already in place in Harwinton, Burlington, Canton, Granby, Winsted, Torrington and Goshen (just to name a few).
If you have questions about this change, please call me at my office 860-379-3389 and give me an opportunity to answer your questions and concerns so that you can make an informed decision at the Town Meeting.