MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
ORDINANCE REVIEW & CHARTER STUDY COMMITTEE
HELD MARCH 5, 2014 AT 7:00 P.M.
COMMISSION ROOM, BETHANY TOWN HALL
Present: Salvatore Amadeo
Robert H. Brinton, Jr.
Carol Goldberg
Paul Manger
W. Peter Simon, Jr.
1. CALL TO ORDER: at 7:07 PM. P. Simon volunteered to serve as
Recording Secretary.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Upon motion by P. Manger seconded by S.
Amadeo, the minutes for the meetings of March 10, 2014 written by
C. Goldberg and of April 7, 2014 written by R. Brinton were
unanimously approved as submitted.
3. CORRESPONDENCE. None.
4. VISITORS. None
5. ORDINANCE REVIEW AND CHARTER STUDY.
a. Bethany Board of Education Terms. Committee members
reported informal discussions with four separate Bethany
Board of Education members currently serving, three of whom
agreed that shortening the term from six to four years would
be desirable. The fourth was indifferent. Discussions had
about a possible recommendation to the Board of Selectmen to
shorten the term to four years.
b. Bidding/Purchasing. S. Amadeo distributed a draft document
for discussion purposes that might be modified to supplant
and modernize current Code Chapter 12, Bidding and
Purchasing. A copy is attached as Exhibit A. Discussions
had on an appropriate threshold to trigger the requirement
for requests for proposals, on publication/advertising of
notices, whether a petty cash fund is desirable, and what
emergency situations might justify circumvention of bidding.
Members agreed to review the draft document and continue
discussions.
c. Solid Waste. C. Goldberg reported on her continuing review
of Chapter 176, Solid Waste, which may culminate in a
recommendation to eliminate references to private
collectors.
d. Taxation.
i. Solar Exemption. R. Brinton pointed out that the
property tax exemption for solar energy heating or
cooling under Section 184-3 expired fifteen years
after 10/1/91, and now appears superfluous.
ii. Elderly/Disabled. Further discussions had on whether
Article VI (Section 184–8) is superseded by Article
VII (184–9), and whether Section 184–8 should be
repealed.
e. Vehicles and Traffic. R. Brinton reported that he consulted
with the Resident Trooper who indicated he does not
currently nor has he ever issued any citations under Chapter
194, Vehicles and Traffic, and that Chapter might be
suitable for repeal.
f. Blight. P. Simon stated that he would inquire of the Zoning
Enforcement Officer to determine whether authority granted
under the Code was believed adequate to deal with blight
related issues.
g. Terms for Alternates. Discussions had on whether alternates
for elected boards should have uniform two-year terms or
instead staggered terms.
h. Appointments to Fill Vacancies. Discussions had about
appointees to fill vacancies on elected boards: who should
appoint (the Board with the vacancy or the Board of
Selectmen), and whether the appointee’s term should be the
full remainder for the slot filled, or only until the next
election so that electors may decide who will fill the
vacancy for any remainder of the slot.
i. Minority Representation. Discussions had about the
desirability of elimination of Code provisions that achieve
minority representation though procedural mandates and
limitations on nominations and voting (e.g. ZBA Section
§97-6)(which may slow party shifts) in favor of provisions
that achieve minority representation with reference only to
the composition of the board or commission (which may allow
for quicker party shifts). C. Goldberg indicated that she
would try to communicate with the State Elections
Enforcement Commission officials and/or colleagues who might
have already explored these issues.
6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE ON RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF
SELECTMEN. Discussions had on whether this Committee’s
recommendations would be accompanied by specific language that
might supplant or modify exiting Code sections, or should instead
specific language to update the Code.
7. ANY OTHER MATTER PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING. None.
8. SCHEDULE FUTURE MEETINGS. Next meeting scheduled by agreement
for Monday, June 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
9. ADJOURNMENT. Upon motion by P. Simon seconded by C. Goldberg,
the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Submitted by P. Simon, Recording Secretary Pro-Tem.
C:\Users\Optiplex 390\Work\Bethany Ordinance Review Commission\Minutes from Meeting of 5.5.14 Version 5.30.14.wpdbe framed as concepts from which the Town Attorney could draw
