CRC group reviews Article I redline, toggles town logo vs. seal and renames audit committee
January 29, 2026 | New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut
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Members of the Charter Revision Commission (Group 1) reviewed a redline of Article I (General Provisions) on Jan. 28 and made several substantive changes and clarifications intended to modernize notice provisions and to clarify institutional authorities.
Joe Paulo presented a redlined draft of Article I and pointed out two substantive edits: adding a requirement that publication be in a local newspaper (to ensure local notice) and explicitly allowing electronic publication "as amended from time to time." "The idea of the local newspaper was that the text needs to be in a publication with substantial circulation," Paulo said, adding that digital notice would help modernization.
A prolonged exchange followed over the town seal and town logo. The town clerk provided two images that she described as being in her custody; commissioners noted that in practice the First Selectman's office (Tucker Murphy) often authorizes logo use on correspondence and websites. Members debated whether the logo should be treated as the official seal and therefore come under the town clerk's statutory custody, or whether it should be a distinct, less-protected graphic. The group agreed they needed a formal resolution or legal guidance to settle whether the logo receives the same protection as the seal before finalizing charter language.
On financial oversight language, the commission agreed to rename the "audit committee" the "audit board" so that the body would be treated as a board (and thus fall under provisions that require appointees to be electors). Commissioners also proposed adding language that explicitly gives the Town Council the authority to decommission or modify boards and commissions when they are no longer needed, to avoid a proliferation of inactive or redundant bodies.
Members added a reference to the Connecticut Constitution and confirmed that enumerated "general powers of the town" in the charter are reflective of longstanding 1935 language. The redline also included practical changes — for example, setting a 180-day deadline for the Board of Selectmen to fill appointed positions, after which the Town Council can act if appointments remain vacant.
The group scheduled follow-ups: a more precise legal determination about logo vs. seal custody, further review of Article I at the next Group 1 meeting and additional redlines for board-specific articles such as the Board of Education and audit/finance-related sections.
The meeting concluded after formalizing next steps and confirming interview and drafting assignments.
Joe Paulo presented a redlined draft of Article I and pointed out two substantive edits: adding a requirement that publication be in a local newspaper (to ensure local notice) and explicitly allowing electronic publication "as amended from time to time." "The idea of the local newspaper was that the text needs to be in a publication with substantial circulation," Paulo said, adding that digital notice would help modernization.
A prolonged exchange followed over the town seal and town logo. The town clerk provided two images that she described as being in her custody; commissioners noted that in practice the First Selectman's office (Tucker Murphy) often authorizes logo use on correspondence and websites. Members debated whether the logo should be treated as the official seal and therefore come under the town clerk's statutory custody, or whether it should be a distinct, less-protected graphic. The group agreed they needed a formal resolution or legal guidance to settle whether the logo receives the same protection as the seal before finalizing charter language.
On financial oversight language, the commission agreed to rename the "audit committee" the "audit board" so that the body would be treated as a board (and thus fall under provisions that require appointees to be electors). Commissioners also proposed adding language that explicitly gives the Town Council the authority to decommission or modify boards and commissions when they are no longer needed, to avoid a proliferation of inactive or redundant bodies.
Members added a reference to the Connecticut Constitution and confirmed that enumerated "general powers of the town" in the charter are reflective of longstanding 1935 language. The redline also included practical changes — for example, setting a 180-day deadline for the Board of Selectmen to fill appointed positions, after which the Town Council can act if appointments remain vacant.
The group scheduled follow-ups: a more precise legal determination about logo vs. seal custody, further review of Article I at the next Group 1 meeting and additional redlines for board-specific articles such as the Board of Education and audit/finance-related sections.
The meeting concluded after formalizing next steps and confirming interview and drafting assignments.
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