QUESTION 6

Explanatory Text (from Town Clerk)

The official seal of the Town was adopted at a Town Meeting in 1935. This question asks whether the Charter should be amended to allow the Town to adopt or change the Town Seal by ordinance. 

Current Language

§ 14.1. Official Seal.
The official seal of the Town shall be as adopted at a Town Meeting held July 1, 1935, and as certified to the Secretary of the State in accordance with the General Statutes.

Proposed Language (new)

§ 14.1. Official Seal.
The Town may adopt by Ordinance, or make such changes or replacements as desired by amendment to such Ordinance, a Town Seal to replace the official seal adopted on July 1, 1935. Said seal shall be filed with the Office of the Secretary of the State by the Town Clerk. 

Change Request By

This change was requested by First Selectman Gerber in his letter to the Charter Revision Commission on October 4, 2024 - item 14:

14) Section 14.1 (Town Seal): Section 14. of the Charter currently requires the Town to use the Town Seal adopted at a Town Meeting held on July 1, 1935. The 2022 CRC recommended revising this section so that the seal is as adopted by ordinance. Allowing the Town Seal to be determined by ordinance (and not defined in the Charter as a specific Town Seal) would allow the Town to change its current town Seal and allow flexibility for the Town to make changes in the future.

F4GG Comments

This is a question that most voters understand and have an opinion on.  We have heard mixed comments on this item. Some are adamant that the Seal not be changed due to the cost, tradition, etc. Others feel strongly that the entire town should vote on any change and that it should not be left to the RTM (the 40 member legislative body) to decide. 

Since section §13.1 of the Town Charter allows for the voters to petition for a referendum vote on any ordinance passed by the RTM we think there is a path by which the voters can decide if they want the Seal to be changed. However, the window of time to file a petition is short (14 days) and at least five percent of the electorate must sign the petition.

F4GG Recommendation

The majority of the members of Fairfielders for Good Government will be voting yes on this question so as to provide the potential for change. However voters should vote their preference on this question.