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2011-0692011-69 Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of a Committee to Review and Recommend Amendments to the Town of Wappinger Ward and Voter District Population Distribution At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County, New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on February 14, 2011. The meeting was called to order by Christopher Colsey, Supervisor, and upon roll being called, the following were present: PRESENT: Supervisor Councilmembers ABSENT: Christopher J. Colsey William H. Beale Vincent F. Bettina Ismay Czarniecki Joseph P. Paoloni The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Bettina and seconded by Councilman Beale. WHEREAS, the Town Board discussed the potential of At Large Representation against the current Ward system distribution of voters on June 14, 2010; and WHEREAS, the Town Board determined it to be in the best interest of the Town of Wappinger to maintain the established Ward system; and WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger appears to have an unequal proportion of populations in the respective wards and voting districts necessitating a redistribution of ward boundaries to create equity in the current system; and WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court ruling in Reynolds v. Sims, 377 US 533 (1964), established the "one person, one vote" rule that held state political districts of unequal size resulted in under -representation of some citizens' interests and over -representation of others; and WHEREAS, this Court ruling also determined that in order to meet constitutional standards, districts had to be reapportioned so each had approximately equal population; and WHEREAS, the Town Board believes equal access to representation is in the best interests of all of the residents of the Town of Wappinger; and WHEREAS, the Town Supervisor has requested from the Dutchess County Board of Elections a census of the population of Town of Wappinger wards and districts, which will be distributed to each Town Board member and Committee member upon receipt; and WHEREAS, the Committee shall be comprised of eight (8) members comprised of four (4) members of the Town of Wappinger Republican Party and four (4) members of the Town of Wappinger Democrat Party; and WHEREAS, Committee members shall be appointed by the Town of Wappinger Republican Party Chair and the Town of Wappinger Democrat Party Chair; and WHEREAS, the Committee shall meet no less than monthly and shall appoint a Committee Secretary to maintain minutes of said meetings, due to the Town of Wappinger Town Clerk no less than two weeks after the respective meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Laws of New York; and WHEREAS, the Committee shall provide to the Town of Wappinger Town Clerk, for distribution to the Town Supervisor and Town Board, a formal report summarizing the current distribution of the population throughout the ward and voter districts within the Town of Wappinger and a proposal to modify the distribution so each has approximately equal population; and WHEREAS, the Committee shall provide such report in completed form to the Town of Wappinger Town Clerk no later than June 30, 2011; and WHEREAS, the Committee shall schedule the use of Town Hall with the Town of Wappinger Town Clerk. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 1. The recitations above set forth are incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set forth and adopted herein. 2. The Town Board hereby authorizes the establishment of a Committee to review and recommend amendments to the Town of Wappinger Ward and Voter District Population Distribution. 3. The Town Board directs the Committee to file its meeting in no later than two weeks following each meeting and to file its report of recommendations in completed form no later than June 30, 2011 with the Town of Wappinger Town Clerk for consideration of implementation by the Town Board. The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows: CHRISTOPHER COLSEY, SUPERVISOR Voting: AYE WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN Voting: AYE VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN Voting: AYE ISMAY CZARNIECKI, COUNCILWOMAN Voting: AYE JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN Voting: ABSTAIN Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York 2/14/2011 The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted. 4JJCM'A'S�Ti�RSON, TOWN CLERK At Large Representation v. Ward Redistricting - Colsey/Roberts Supervisor Colsey opened the discussion at 8:04 PM. Al Roberts, Town Attorney, explained that there is a special section of Town Law that pertains to the ward system. The ward system may be abolished by the adoption of a proposition, voted on at any special or biennial election of the Town Board. This would be for the 2011 election cycle. Two Board Members would be elected for two year terms and two would be voted for four year terms. Thereafter, everyone would be voted in for four year terms. This would not apply to the Supervisor. Supervisor Colsey noted that the number of voters in the districts is not proportionate. It could be evened out by redistricting or by changing to the at -large system. Mr. Roberts then discussed the procedure to increase the Supervisor's term from two years to four years. Supervisor Colsey polled the Board on their opinion of the ward system. Councilman Beale favored the ward system and is opposed to abolishing it. He does support redistricting based on the 2010 census results. Councilman Bettina agrees with Councilman Beale and supports the ward system. Councilwoman Czarniecki is also in favor of the ward system. Councilman Paoloni noted that the ward system has certain problems, and the Board Members need to work together to avoid those problems. However, he feels that the at -large system prevents newcomers from getting into politics. Discussion followed. Councilman Beale asked if the Board should discuss the option of increasing the Supervisor's term to four years. Mr. Roberts explained the two processes that could be followed to extend the Supervisor's term. Councilman Beale did not see a need to change the Supervisor's term. Councilman Bettina agreed with Councilman Beale. Councilman Paoloni noted that the full-time positions, such as Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk, are four year terms. He sees no reason why the Town Supervisor should be any different. He went on to say that the Board Members would like to run every four years if they could, too. Councilwoman Czarniecki noted that she is in favor of a four year term for the Supervisor. Supervisor Colsey closed the discussion at 8:20 PM.