Town approves HRRA ordinance change to ‘one town, one vote’

Sherman voters at the Aug. 27 meeting approved an update to the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) ordinance that replaces the prior population‑weighted voting units with a ‘‘one town; one vote’’ structure.

The motion to approve the HRRA ordinance amendment was moved by Don Lowe and seconded by Kyle Thomson. Don Lowe explained the proposed change; after discussion the motion carried by a show of cards. The minutes note that the approved updated ordinance removes and replaces Section 6 of the existing ordinance and that the replacement language is attached to the minutes.

The attached model language specifies that each member municipality has one vote, a quorum requires more than 50% of members present, most actions require an affirmative vote of greater than 50% of members present at a meeting with quorum, and that admission/termination of members or bylaws amendments require an affirmative vote of greater than two‑thirds of full membership. The minutes record that the language was approved by the HRRA prior to the town meeting vote.

The minutes include historical excerpts showing the prior Section 6 used a 100 voting‑unit allocation proportional to population and a town guarantee for certain HRRA bonds; the proposed replacement changes that voting allocation mechanism.