Town Charter Proposal Submitted — Public Hearing June 17

Today, a proposal for a Town Charter was filed in the Town Clerk's Office.

The purpose of a charter is to define the functions of our town government separate from State Statutes which currently rule the way Lebanon can govern itself. Having a charter does NOT mean our form of government has to change. Instead, it can simply codify the existing structure of government in a document written and controlled by the people of the town rather than by legislators in Hartford. However, this proposed charter DOES include some changes.

This proposal is the result of months of hard work by the commission and is based on feedback from residents gathered at meetings and two public hearings held so far. The Board of Selectman will hold its own Public Hearing in which the commission will guide residents through the proposed document and solicit further feedback. Residents will have the chance to discuss the elements of the proposed Charter and whether they want the final draft to have more, fewer, or just different changes to the current structure of government.

This Public Hearing will take place at 7:30 PM at the Fire Safety Complex on June 17.

The Board of Selectmen will formally issue recommendations on adjustments to the draft later that week and the Charter Commission will have an opportunity to make revisions before submitting a final draft. If the Selectmen approve the draft, the question of whether to adopt the Charter will appear as a question on the November 2019 municipal ballot.

In the meantime, the draft is now available to view in-person in the Town Clerk's Office or on the Town Website by clicking here.