Voters say yes to electing rep

SHARON — Town residents voted 34 to 19 in favor of electing, not appointing, the town’s representative to the Region One Board of Education. At present, Sharon is one of three towns in the six-town school district that appoints its representative to the regional board.

But no changes will be made officially until after a town meeting vote is held on a specific ordinance. The ordinance has not yet been written and the next special town meeting has not yet been scheduled.

Even after the ordinance is approved, it is too late for the change to impact the November 2009 municipal elections. The current Region One representative would most likely remain in place until 2010.

The Region One board meets monthly in Falls Village and oversees Housatonic Valley Regional High School and regional issues such as special education.

The meeting Aug. 28 was held in response to a petition that was circulated around town. In the New England town meeting form of government, taxpayers can call a town meeting if they get enough people to sign a petition asking for it.

Fifty-three people attended Friday’s meeting. The vote was taken on a paper ballot, instead of by a voice vote or raised hands.

First Selectman Malcolm Brown said the decision to elect the representative won’t become official until another town meeting vote is held. At that point, an ordinance will be presented and voters can accept or turn down the proposed rule.

The meeting was well attended compared to the last special town meeting, held in July, which only eight residents attended.

The two sides in the debate argued, often  passionately, about whether or not the representative should be an elected position. Until a few years ago, only Falls Village elected its regional representative. Now, Salisbury and North Canaan also elect their representative. Cornwall and Kent appoint their representative.

“I’m not even sure people really know what they’re voting on,� said Board of Education member Kate Beatty at one point during the meeting. “I don’t think it really matters whether or not it’s an elected position. I think people need to know that this job is serious and requires a commitment. I think [current representative Judge Manning] has done an amazing job. It should not be an elected position.�

Resident Karen Bristow disagreed with Beatty, and pointed out that Manning is currently serving as the chairman of the Region One Board of Education and is married to Sharon Center School Principal Karen Manning.

“This seems a little bit unethical,� Bristow said. “Technically, if you have a problem with a principal, you would have to go to her boss [Region One Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain].

The regional superintendent reports, technically, to the regional board of edcation, which also does her yearly evaluation and votes on her salary and pay raise.

“Chamberlain’s boss is the husband of the principal,� Bristow said. “I’m not saying that there’s anything fishy about it. However, from an ethical standpoint, that is nepotism. That is unethical.�

Chamberlain responded to Bristow by saying she has 45 bosses, including members of the Region One Board of Education and the Sharon Center School Board of Education.

“Judge Manning is just one of them,� Chamberlain said. “My evaluation is done by every single administrator and board member in the district. So I have 45 assessments compiled into a document.�

Bristow and town resident Fred Schwerin said they are concerned that the town does not have an ethics code.

“It’s been talked about for many years, but I don’t know where it is,� Schwerin said. “I think that [people who work for the town] have too many conflicting interests and I do think it’s time that we vote on everyone who does business for the town.�

Manning told the audience that he would not go against the democratic process.

“It would be very hard for me, as a guy who carries a copy of the Constitution in his briefcase, to speak against popular elections,� Manning said. “I’m not going to. But just so you know, elections are not without problems. For example, Falls Village has elected five representatives to the Region One Board of Education, and to date not one of them has completed a full term. It was not because they were irresponsible, but it was because people move, jobs change and stuff happens.�

Brown said the next step will be for the selectmen to consult with Town Attorney Judith Dixon about creating an ordinance.

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