Stonington Voters Pass 4 Out Of 5 Charter Changes

STONINGTON, CT — Stonington voters weighed in on five questions regarding the town's charter, passing four of them.

Measures passing included appointing the town clerk and tax collector and revisions to various local boards. A measure to increase the first selectman's term of office failed.

Below is the wording of each question with the results from the Connecticut Secretary of State in bold.

1. Shall the charter be revised, effective upon the approval of voters, to fill the position of Town Clerk by the selection of well qualified hired candidates to be selected through a hiring process upon advice and consent of the Board of Selectmen; thereby eliminating the elected position of Town Clerk at the conclusion of the current term of office? Yes: 6,108; No: 4,296
2. Shall the charter be revised, effective upon the approval of voters, to fill the position of Tax Collector by the selection of well qualified hired candidates to be selected through a hiring process upon advice and consent of the Board of Selectmen; thereby eliminating the elected position of Tax Collector at the conclusion of the current term of office? Yes: 6,256; No: 4,099
3. Shall the charter be amended to include standards for the qualification, recruitment, review, recommendation, and approval of the appointed Town Clerk and Tax Collector, other administrative officials and directors? Yes: 7,688; 2,586
4. Shall the charter be revised, effective upon the approval of voters and following the next municipal election, to increase the term of the First Selectman from two to four years? Yes: 4,456; No: 5,909
5. Shall the charter be revised, effective upon the approval of voters, to (A) add two appointed alternates to the Board of Assessment Appeals; (B) reduce the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission from seven to five members; (C) add two appointed alternates to the Shellfish Commission; (D) add two appointed alternates to the Water Pollution Control Authority; and (E) reduce the Commission on Aging from twelve to nine members and adding three appointed alternates? Yes: 6,435; No: 3,635