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Pavia to review city's boards, commissions
Posted on 07/21/2010
By TOM EVANS Times Staff Writer STAMFORD -- Under the premise of delivering city services more efficiently, Mayor Michael Pavia will begin to review how the more than 34 municipal boards and commissions function. "I promise to look at all aspects of government and how the city delivers services," Pavia said. "This is the beginning of an intelligent conversation on how the city does business and provides services." Pavia acknowledged that meetings of these largely volunteer groups that can drag on for hours and hours -- and for days and days -- was part of the incentive for the review. "We'll look at governance, and boards and commissions," Pavia said. "We could make recommendations that might lead to city charter review. It will be an intelligent discussion, bringing together people who are passionate about government, and have a strong understanding of the way the city works." The mayor already has five people in place for what may be a seven-member review panel, and added "we're working on a couple more." Those already on board for the project are: Board of Representatives member Mary Uva, R-1, who represents Shippan and sections of the east side; Jack Condlin, Stamford Chamber of Commerce president; Sandy Goldstein, president of the Downtown Special Services District; Laure Aubuchon, the city's director of economic development; and William Arnone, a local businessman and accountant. Pavia said "there is no hard timetable" to reaching any recommendations, and that this process "could take on a life of its own." "I tell people this is going to be an interesting discussion," Pavia said. "To put it into perspective, the (city) charter was written before cell phones, before computers, before texting, and when the interstate highway system was just being developed. I think, with the possibility of Charter revision, it will create much more interest." The Urban Redevelopment Commission, established in 1954 to take on the selling and developing of municipal properties as part of the national urban renewal initiative, was one body that could face scrutiny. "But we're looking at all of them, and the URC is an example of some overlap," Pavia said. "Generally speaking, we will tune up the roles and responsibilities of different (boards and commissions) to make them more effective and efficient. I hear about meetings that go on too long, or go off in too many directions."
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