Closson case closed, round of applause

WINSTED — Former Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman and current Selectman George Closson received a round of applause from community members Tuesday night, after settling a two-year lawsuit with the Winchester Board of Selectmen.

After spending less than an hour in executive session, the board accepted an offer to settle the controversial Closson v. Town of Winchester lawsuit, in which Closson claimed his civil rights were violated in 2008 when he was removed from his position as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Two motions marking the end of the case received unanimous votes from the board, with Closson abstaining. The first was simply an acknowledgement that the case has been brought to a conclusion and that the town recognizes Closson’s contributions to the town.

“The Board of Selectmen acknowledges George Closson’s dedicated and longtime volunteer service to the town of Winchester,� Mayor Candy Perez read. “The Board of Selectmen appreciates Mr. Closson’s willingness to settle Closson v. Town of Winchester at this time.�

Closson was removed from his Planning and Zoning position by the previous Board of Selectmen, which was ruled by a Republican supermajority that claimed Closson was “anti-development.� A public hearing was held, in which Closson demonstrated his commitment to the position and asked for an explanation, but the Republicans refused to rescind their decision. Closson ultimately sued, he said, to protect members of town boards and commissions from arbitrary removal for political reasons.

Tuesday night’s decision addressed that point, as selectmen agreed to introduce a new ordinance to clarify the procedure required for the removal of board and commission members.

“In an effort to provide additional procedural protections for volunteer commissioners, the Board of Selectmen is introducing an ordinance to supplement the procedures set forth in article 16, section 16-01 of the charter,� Perez said.

In a second motion, Perez asked the board to send a draft of the new ordinance to Town Attorney Kevin Nelligan, with the eventual goal of holding a town meeting to pass the ordinance. The motion passed and board members expressed relief.

“I’d like to thank this board for all of their work,� Perez said. “This is an issue that’s been emotional for a long period of time.�

Closson also thanked board members for their input on the case.

“We have had an energetic discussion,� he said. “I appreciate all the participation and the honesty of this board. I want to thank all the supporters I’ve had for the last two years with regard to this, especially attorney [Patsy] Renzullo, who has stepped up and done a tremendous job for volunteers in general.�

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