17 July—Richard Morin, author of the following letter, is a Litchfield borough resident and consolidation activist.

RESIDENTS TO BE AWARE OF CONSOLIDATION

Within a few months or sometime next year Consolidation of the Litchfield Borough into the Town of Litchfield will be voted on by its residents. Both the residents of the Borough & Litchfield should be aware of what the Consolidation Committee is proposing in this very important topic. You may keep yourself updated by going to the town web-site & looking up the minutes of each meeting. Recently, the Borough Board has sent a letter to the Consolidation Committee informing them of the following. There was no interest voiced by any member of our Board and we decline to participate in your committee. Since this Board has taken office in May of 2021, many of their decisions have been disapproved of. With little input from Borough residents. Consolidation committee member Ron Leal [a former borough burgess] asked why the Borough of Litchfield is being targeted while the borough of Bantam is being left along and “it seems to me that Bantam has to be included in this.” There is no reason to even mention the borough of Bantam in this consolidation. They can be mentioned for accepting all the activities which the Litchfield Borough has disapproved of on the green. Many of these activities have been part of Litchfield for many years.

Selectman Jonathan Torrant said it in one word “Draconian.” Can’t describe this Borough Board any better then that, since being elected in 2021. Mr. Leal said “I’ve never thought anything they’ve done was draconian.” I have no idea where Mr. Leal has been since May of 2021.

Resident Dirk Patterson [a former borough warden], suggested this committee could be wasting its time. “The Board, not the voters of the Borough, has the ultimate say in the matter.” He also said, “in my opinion, you’re spinning your wheels.” He is right, the Board has the ultimate say in the matter. Only amount themselves. If any kind of vote is taken, it will have to be by Borough and Town residents. Mr. Patterson needs to know that this committee has been spinning its wheels for a few months on this proposal. If he is right in what he’s saying. He could of saved many hours of time & labor which have already been put into this proposal by this committee.

This consolidation will be a very important decision which will be made by the Borough & Litchfield residents and not by only six residents of the Borough Board. Don’t be misled by residents in what they say, unless they can explain their comments. Be part of the Consolidation process. Attend their meetings or keep up to date with committee minutes.

Richard Morin
Litchfield

Editor’s note: For a number of reasons, the author’s timeline might be somewhat optimistic. In all events, the only problem with the Borough of Litchfield Board of Warden and Burgesses (BOLBOWAB) is that, under the charter, its well-intentioned volunteer members hold too much—make that virtually all—power while the Borough electors (as we’re called) have virtually none.

The town’s long-time attorney opines judiciously that under the state’s Home Rule Act “the petition process would not be so plainly improper as to warrant depriving the public, at the outset, of an opportunity to consider the merits of consolidation and to be heard on the matter.” No doubt, the borough attorney of the moment and convenience would opine otherwise. In other words, litigation could be unpredictable as well as costly.

Another way to go is for Borough electors to amend the borough charter, stripping the BOLBOWAB of its legislative authority, thus making it purely administrative—and advisory, to be sure. Of course, there are no guaranties on that either . . .