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NEW CANAAN, Conn. Might the Board of Selectmen soon have five members? The future members of the towns top board say the idea is worthy of consideration.
The discussion arose again during Mondays candidates forum hosted at Town Hall by the League of Women Voters, although the idea has been previously proposed.
The idea of a five-member board was broached in part because of meeting issues. Under current rules, two selectmen from separate parties cannot discuss town business because it would constitute a meeting. If the selectmen were from the same party, it would be considered a caucus. Adding to the number of selectmen would require a change in the towns charter, which would require a referendum vote.
Democratic selectman candidate Beth Jones supports opening discussions of the idea. I think its time to open up the charter to see what the electorate thinks of this, said Jones, who said residents should also discuss whether the first selectman should also chair the Board of Finance.
Republican selectman candidate Nick Williams said possible violations are the driver of such discussion but said the town already has a lot of government. Its something that we definitely should consider, he said.
Selectman Robert Mallozzi III, who is running unopposed for first selectman, is not supportive of the plan. He said the Town Council already has 12 members, and it's already responsive to the public. I dont have the attention span for five selectmen, he said, generating some laughs from the audience. Ive been doing this for four years, and its been a wonderful working relationship. Three is a nice number.
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