Contentious Senior Safety Ordinance Back For Another Go-Round

The as contentious as they are, are back on for public hearing.

As explained last month, an error by Town Council Chair Candy Buebendorf had the incorrect version of the ordinance on the agenda in October and it was that one that was approved. So it’s back to square one; the ordinance must be open to the pubic for hearing and comment before it can be approved again; the right version this time.

There is still plenty of rancor on the issue; at least two councilors are concerned the ordinance opens the town up to possible litigation from the Connecticut affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union; indeed, the CT ACLU has said as much. The town’s attorney on the matter Bryan Fiengo defended the ordinance (and cited case law that supports it) against criticisms from Councilor Dana McFee who asked “When the town gets sued” over the zones would Fiengo represent the town for free. Yes he’d defend the town, but not pro bono, he said.

Councilor Rosetta Jones, a former prison warden with years of experience working with sex offenders also challenged the proposed law.

But it was when the discussion became heated between Fiengo and McFee that the council put a stop to it (‘moved the question’ is the term).

The ordinance is set for hearing in December.