I urge the voters of Brattleboro to vote “yes” on the ballot question to amend the Town Charter. This amendment enables the voters to create zoning by-laws, subdivision regulations and changes to the Town Plan.
The recent letter to the Editor of the Reformer, dated November 2nd, by Burl Penton, Chair of the Planning Commission, contains misinformation.
The process by which the Town currently creates and implements zoning by-laws, subdivision regulations and changes to the Town Plan does not require a vote by Town Representatives. A proposed change begins with the Planning Commission and continues to the Selectboard through a series of public hearings intended for public dialogue and input. The process is completed with a vote by the Selectboard.
The proposed Charter amendment that is before the voters allows the voters to propose changes in a more directly democratic fashion than currently exists. As an example, an individual or group might choose to propose an ordinance that would limit the number of gas stations in Brattleboro. A petition signed by 10% of the voters is required. The petition is presented to the Planning Commission for appropriate technical changes and a public hearing. It then proceeds to the Selectboard for a public hearing after which it advances to a Town-wide vote. This process allows for more discussion and education of the issue than our current system.
It should be noted that if the voters of Brattleboro pass the question next Tuesday, the amendment still must go before the Legislature for approval. Any amendment to our Charter must be approved by the Legislature to be enacted.
Based on my experience with both the Planning Commission and Selectboard there have been many issues that have not received an appropriate review. Over the past several years the voters of Brattleboro have experienced the unresponsiveness of local decision-makers on non-binding resolutions and land use issues. This proposed addition to the current system makes for a more responsive process. Please join me in voting “yes” on the Charter amendment.