Town Meeting

A TOWN MEETING is a form of direct democratic rule, used primarily in portions of the United States – principally in New England – since the 17th century, in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government.  In Ellington, the Town Meeting is deemed the legislative body of the town.  For a description of the actions that must be submitted to the Town Meeting, see section 703 of the Town Charter.

The conduct of town meetings is governed by the Town Charter and Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 7-7.  Connecticut town meetings are bound to a published agenda referred to in statute as the "warning."  The agenda is set by the Board of Selectmen.  A Town Meeting may discuss, but not alter, an agenda item placed before them.  No new business may be added to the town meeting agenda during the meeting. At the annual Town Budget Meeting, the electors of the town may be given the opportunity to vote for the town's budget for the next fiscal year.  However, the Selectmen often seek to have the Town Meeting adjourned to a referendum in order that the maximum number of electors have the opportunity to cast a ballot on the budget.  If a vote on the budget is held and the Town Meeting rejects such budget, a referendum is automatically held about 2-weeks later.  If the budget fails at referendum, then another referendum takes place every 2 weeks until a budget is passed.  State Law allows the Board of Selectmen to adopt an estimated tax rate and continue operating based on the previous budget in the event a Town Meeting has not adopted a new budget in time.

A moderator is chosen at each meeting. Ellington's annual town meeting takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of May in accordance with the town charter, and is typically held at the Ellington High School auditorium. Votes are taken by voice, and if close, by show of hands. Meetings on controversial topics are often adjourned to a referendum to vote by paper ballot or machine on a date set in the near future.  Such adjournment may be initiated by the Selectmen or by a petition signed by 200 or more voters, or 10%, of the qualified voters and submitted to the Town Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

All registered voters of a town, and all persons owning at least $1,000 of taxable property in Ellington, are eligible to participate in and vote at Town Meetings, with the exception of the election of officials.

Special Town Meetings are held whenever necessary, usually to deal with financial or other pertinent issues that develop between Annual Town Meetings. They function the same as an Annual Town Meeting. While the Selectmen generally call such a meeting, voters may call one by petition. The number of signatures required on a petition to call a Special Town Meeting is 20 citizens qualified to vote. The Selectmen have 21 days from the date such petition is received to hold a Special Town Meeting.

Special Town Meetings are called to consider and take action on the following items:

(a)    The issuance of bonds and all other forms of financing, the term of which is in excess of one (1) year;

(b)    Any appropriation supplemental to those provided in the annual budget which increases total supplemental appropriations in the then current fiscal year to an aggregate amount in excess of one‑half (1/2) of one (1) percent of the total annual budget;

(c)    Real estate purchases by the town for a price in excess of forty thousand dollars ($40,000);

(d)    Sale of any town owned real property in excess of forty thousand dollars ($40,000);

(e)    The creation, consolidation or abolition of any permanent board, commission, department, or agency not otherwise provided for in this Charter;

(f)      Real estate leases and/or lease options to which the town is a party which involve a term in excess of one (1) year;

(g)     Proposals for municipal improvements disapproved by the town planning commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 8‑24 of the General Statutes, as amended;

(h)    Such other matters or proposals as may be required by the provisions of this Charter, or as the Board of Selectmen, in their discretion, shall deem to be of sufficient importance to be submitted to a special town meeting, including recommendations by the Board of Selectmen for the adoption or repeal of any ordinances;

(i)      Any appropriation from the fund authorized for capital and non‑recurring expenses as set forth in Section 1105 of this Charter not included in the annual town budget;

(j)      Purchases that exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) require a vote by referendum. [Amended 11/6/07