Charter Revision Commission

Section 1308 of the Ellington Town Charter and Chapter 99 of the Connecticut General Statutes set forth the process by which the town may amend its charter.

On May 13, 2024, the Board of Selectmen  unanimously approved the establishment of a Charter Revision Commission and appointed seven bipartisan residents of the town to serve on the commission.

The Commission held nine meetings between May 22, 2024, and August 7, 2024.  Additionally, the Commission conducted public hearings on June 5, 2024, and July 31, 2024.

On August 7, 2024, the Commission unanimously voted to send their draft final report to the Board of Selectmen for consideration.  The report recommended ten specific amendments to the charter. 

On August 19, 2024, the Board of Selectmen held a public hearing and subsequently voted to accept the Commission’s report and to send the recommendations to the electors of Ellington.  Additionally, the Board designated a single question to appear on the November 5, 2025 ballot.

SHALL THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF ELLINGTON BE AMENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH IN THE FINAL REPORT OF THE BIPARTISAN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION DATED AUGUST 7, 2024?

Following are the 10 recommendations by the Charter Revision Commission.

Recommendation #1:  Delete the reference to the auditing committee in section 603.
Recommendation #2: Update the general description and duties of the first selectman in order to integrate the position of town administrator into the town staff (sections 801, 802 & 803).
Recommendation #3:  Include the following positions in section 1001: town administrator; emergency and risk manager; youth services director; and senior center director.
Recommendation #4:  Replace the current reference to section 803 with a reference to a new section 1024(d).
Recommendation #5: Update the title and description of the position and duties of the emergency and risk manager in section 1008.
Recommendation #6:  Amend section 1012 to revise the process by which the town contracts with a firm or person to fulfill the role of town engineer.
Recommendation #7:  Add section 1024, a new section, describing the qualifications, process for appointment and removal and the duties and responsibilities of the town administrator.
Recommendation #8:  Amend section 1109(b) to replace “deputy first selectman” with “town administrator” as a staff member who can act in the absence of the first selectman or finance officer for the purpose of countersigning authorizations to make certain payments on behalf of the town and to delete the language in subsection (f) limiting the transfer of unencumbered funds from one department to another during only the last three months of the fiscal year.
Recommendation #9:  Amend section 1111 to set the threshold for purchases requiring sealed bid be set pursuant to Ellington ordinance 28-1.
Recommendation #10:  Amend section 1205 to include the town administrator as a position with authority to review and make recommendations regarding town salaries and to act as bargaining agent for the town.