East Lyme ballot to ask charter revision questions

— Voters at the polls on Nov. 7 will find 11 questions on the back side of the ballot that mark the first proposed changes to the town charter since 2009.

Each question will be counted separately.

The first decision will be whether to lengthen the first selectman’s term from two years to four.

The four-year term would also apply to the five other members of the Board of Selectmen. The change would go into effect for the first selectman and two other selectmen in 2025, with the remaining three selectmen elected to two-year terms in order to create the staggered terms.

The rationale behind the change is to reduce the time spent campaigning so more effort can be dedicated to their elected duties, according to the explanatory text drafted by Town Clerk Karen Galbo and town attorney Tracy Collins.

It will also promote continuity and “institutional knowledge” by ensuring there are no more than three open positions in any election going forward, the officials said.

Another question, if approved, would amend the charter so those appointed to an elective position would serve the remainder of the term. The current charter requires appointees to serve until a special election or the next regular town election.

The questions represent suggested changes to the town charter hashed out over the past year by members of the Charter Revision Commission and forwarded to voters by the Board of Selectmen. The 11-member committee was led by former Republican Selectman Marc Salerno.

Voters will also be asked to weigh in on turning the town clerk and tax collector into administrative rather than elected positions. Reflecting a trend across the region, officials said the move would ensure applicants for

the position have the necessary professional credentials by making them a condition of employment.

Other items that made it onto the ballot address some factors that trigger a town meeting. The town meeting form of government leaves it to taxpayers and registered voters to approve major policy and budget decisions.

One question asks if the amount triggering public approval when town departments request money outside of the annual budget process should be raised to $100,000. Currently, any department looking for a special appropriation over $10,000 must get approval from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and then from the public at a town meeting.

The threshold hasn’t been raised since it was instituted in 1965, according to the explanatory text. Approval by the finance board would remain a requirement.

Another question would trigger a town meeting for the purchase or sale of real estate over $100,000. The current $10,000 threshold was set in 2009.

If approved, the charter would be revised to add language specifying what happens if the Board of Finance fails to vote on a request for a special appropriation. No action within 30 days would result in automatic approval.

Also at issue is whether the town charter should bypass Board of Finance and a town meeting approval when the proposed expense is covered entirely by state, federal or private grants “unless acceptance of such grant would have an adverse impact on future operating budgets.”

One question anticipates possible changes to state statutes requiring towns to pay for public notices in the newspaper. This year, a bill in the state legislature that would allow towns to publish legal notices on town websites did not gain passage, but that could change in the future. The charter revision commission addressed the possibility by recommending the charter be revised to substitute electronic and town website publication for newspaper publication as allowed by law.

The final question asks voters if they believe the Board of Selectmen should consider a charter review at least every 10 years.

Absentee ballots are available from the town clerk. They must be returned by Election Day.

More information is available at eltownhall.com.