This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
09/15/2022 02:34 PMWith a unanimous vote on Sept. 15, Branford’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) has approved an ordinance that will reset the Town Hall’s Tax Collector position from a two-year elected term to a four-year appointment made by the Board of Selectmen (BOS).
The Town’s current Tax Collector, Robert Imperato (R), was elected to the position for a two-year term in 2021 and will continue in that office until the term expires with the November 2023 municipal elections. After that, a tax collector will be appointed by the BOS by unanimous vote for a four-year term.
The ordinance gives the appointed tax collector four years from the time of his or her appointment to become certified by the State of Connecticut to perform all duties required and to remain certified for the duration of tenure.
In public meetings this summer, the RTM Rules and Ordinance Committee (R&O) discussed and reworked the language of the proposed ordinance, which was then vetted by Town Attorney. The bi-partisan committee voted unanimously to recommend the proposed ordinance for approval by the full RTM.
R&O chair Peter Black (R, District 3) especially thanked committee member Peter Hentschel (D, District 2) for his assistance with developing the proposed ordinance.
Prior to seeking a roll call vote on the matter on Sept. 15, RTM Moderator Dennis Flanigan (R, District 5) read into the record a letter from RTM Minority Leader Tracy Everson (D, District 5). Everson’s letter cited concerns as to whether the RTM or the public had been given enough time to review the ordinance language. It noted the proposed ordinance was provided to RTM members on Sept. 8. In the interest of “transparency and good government” Everson requested the matter be re-referred to R&O to allow for a public hearing.
Flanigan noted the moderator doesn’t have the power to send items back to the committee.
Saying she was not opposed to the ordinance but felt more time was needed for it to be adequately posted for public review and input, Representative Linda Erlanger (D, District 3) then made motion to table the item to the next RTM meeting. The motion did not receive a second and failed.
In discussion ahead of taking a roll call vote on the item, Black noted that the ordinance language before the group that night was sent to the full RTM in the proper timeframe. Black also noted members of the public had time to weigh in on the matter while it was being discussed and formed during earlier, public R&O committee meetings.
“The committee's final version of the ordinance was reached after many meetings, all of which were open to public,” said Black, while also noting that Town staff, selectmen and members of the RTM had participated in those meetings.
The committee’s final ordinance language was then sent to the Town Attorney for review, he said.
“It came back at the end of the summer from him with his approval,” said Black.
Black said the ordinance language was then distributed, as required, to all RTM members at least five days prior to the Sept. 15 meeting; and was posted for the public at least 24 hours prior to the meeting with the agenda, meeting Freedom of Information Act requirements.
Black said the R&O committee “...worked diligently on this and made a number of changes...I think we have a good product [it’s] a good compromise. It takes what should be a professional position out of being a popularity contest, as too many elections are.”
In his remarks to the full RTM on Sept. 15, Hentschel spoke in support of the ordinance. He said the R&O committee devoted a lot of time to its development as an “excellent bi-partisan effort.” Hentschel said he also felt the result “...reflects the prevailing sentiment of the community.”
“The position is intrinsically not a political position. State law defines clearly what the roles and responsibilities are,” said Hentschel. “I think this is an excellent change for the town. I think this is going to be a great change for the town. For the general public, if they haven't read the details of this ordinance, it does require a unanimous vote of the selectman, which was put in specifically to avoid appointment process being political.”
RTM Majority Leader Ray Ingraham (R, District 5) said he rose in support of “...this outstanding ordinance and the the non-partisan manner it was handled in,” commending Black and Hentschel for their work.
“The product we have at the end, I think, is very good,” said Ingraham.
The RTM then voted, 25-0, to approve the ordinance; with Everson noting her vote was “...reluctantly, yes.” For his part, RTM member George Wells (R, District 3) noted his vote was “...yes, enthusiastically.”
The entire ordinance can be viewed here.
Reporter’s Note: Rep. Everson’s quote “...reluctantly, yes” was erroneously attributed to Rep. Erlanger when this story was first posted on Sept. 15. The error has been corrected with this updated story.