NORTH STONINGTON — A change taking effect Thursday, October 15, moves selection of Economic Development Commission members from town elections to appointments by the Board of Selectmen, according to the town’s adopted ordinance.
Voters approved the amendment at the September 28 special town meeting. The clerk-attested record lists publication in The Westerly Sun on September 30 and an October 15 effective date. The town also posted its adoption notice September 30.
The redlined ordinance adds an appointment requirement and removes language directing that successors be chosen at biennial town elections. It retains eight regular members and two alternates, all town electors, with four-year regular terms and two-year alternate terms. Political-balance restrictions remain: no more than four regular members, or one alternate, from the same party.
The commission’s stated work remains researching local economic conditions, recommending improvements, cooperating with economic-development bodies and reporting annually to the town meeting and selectmen. The amendment changes how its seats are filled, rather than announcing a new development project.
For residents interested in serving, the selectmen’s appointment process becomes the relevant route instead of election to these seats. The record reviewed does not establish that appointments have already occurred, identify a transition schedule or explain the reason for the change; this report makes no claim about current vacancies.
The town’s commission page links to agendas and minutes and lists its planning, development and zoning office at 860-535-2877, extension 127. Residents can use those official records or contact the town for current appointment and meeting information.