SEYMOUR – The town’s Board of Selectpersons scheduled a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Seymour Town Hall to air proposed changes to the town charter.
The Seymour Charter Revision Commission has been meeting since January to streamline and discuss some suggested changes to the town charter.
Any suggested changes to the Seymour Town Charter are ultimately up to Seymour voters.
In order to get questions on the November 2025 ballot, officials said a final report on the suggested charter changes would need to be approved by the Selectpersons by September 2025.
The charter is the blueprint for local government, spelling out everything from the length of terms to the responsibilities of a given board or commission.
Members of the charter revision commission have listened to suggestions from town officials and residents about changing the charter. Nothing has been finalized yet.
Some of the proposed changes include:
*Adding the title of ‘First Selectperson’ in addition to the existing First Selectman and First Selectwoman references in the document
*Changing the date of the annual town meeting to the first Tuesday in April
*Changing the date of the annual town budget referendum to the third Tuesday in April, and then every other Tuesday going forward if additional referendums are necessary (currently, the referendums are held on Thursdays)
*Increasing the amount of appropriations required by a special town meeting vote from $100,000 to $150,000
*Requiring the First Selectperson to be responsible for the development and implementation of a three-year strategic plan
*Requiring the town and the Board of Education to jointly plan, develop and implement a shared services relationship, that includes human resources, IT, financial management, facility operation and maintenance and any other administrative, operational or support services to promote efficiency, reduce costs and enhance delivery of public services to residents.
A draft of the proposed charter changes can be found online on the town website. Those who prefer to look at a hard copy of the proposed changes can request one at the Seymour Public Library, the community center or at the Town Clerk’s office.
Members of the charter revision commission include Kevin Atterberry (D), Tom Gardella, (I), Tara Miller (R), John Stelma (D), Richard Peck (R), Naveen Madivala (U) and John Lombardo (R).
The last vote on charter changes took place in 2018. Voters approved three of eight suggestions. Click here for more.
