The Charter of the Borough of Jewett City was adopted by the people on July 18, 1895. The Connecticut General Assembly created a community within a community by granting the residents of Jewett City the authority to have a self-regulated government which is independent from the dictates of the town portion of Griswold.
A Jewett City resident appeared before the Griswold Board of Selectman on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 seeking to dissolve borough services and consolidate Jewett City and the town portion of Griswold under one government -- the Griswold Board of Selectman.
Ron Ward, has made a pledged to "Stand-up for Jewett City" as Warden of the Borough. Ward is the Jewett City Party (JCP) candidate for Warden in the upcoming May 7, 2007 municipal election.
"As Warden, I will oppose adopting any measure that will dissolve borough services," he explained. He continued by stating, "I will defend the Borough Charter against any effort that takes away our right as residents of Jewett City to have a self-regulated and autonomous government."
Taxes in the borough and economic development in the town are the reasons given to do away with the Jewett City Charter. In May of each year, Borough residents and taxpayers vote on the referendum which establishes the budget and mill rate for Jewett City.
As for economic development in the town, Ward stated, "Under my administration, the Jewett City owned sewer authority will be a willing partner in efforts to promote commercial development so that we can increase the grand list and lower the property tax burden for all residents -- those living in the borough, as well as, those living in the town."
Ward made the following comparison, "Loyal fans of a baseball team unhappy with a lack-luster season would not dissolve the franchise and bulldoze the stadium. Instead, they would work together and develop a winning approach."
In contrast to his pledge to "Stand-up for Jewett City," the position of the other two candidates for Borough Warden has not been made known or has been flip-flopping.
The incumbent Democratic Party candidate for Warden has changed her position twice.
- ''I think a lot of people don't know what's here,'' said Ms. Kata of
- Jewett City Borough Warden Cynthia Kata said she also favors "dissolving the borough services," and having one government run both municipalities. She said that would streamline the process for businesses to move into the Borough. "It was presented to the people for a vote, and four times the town of Griswold people turned it down," she said of the referendums on the issue in the last 20 years. (quote from Norwich Bulletin, August 21, 2006).
- "You can't get rid of something and give it to the town," said Kata, who did not say whether she supported or opposed the idea. Kata said since she began working for the Borough in 1983, she has served on at least four committees to study the idea. All four times, the idea flopped at the polls. (quote from Norwich Bulletin, January 9, 2007).
- Griswold First Selectman, Anne Hatfield, who has no jurisdiction over Jewett City's government, said she is very interested in revitalizing the borough. "I'm fully in favor -- it's a question of how far my authority can go," Hatfield said, saying she advocates a consolidation of the borough of Jewett City and the town of Griswold. (quote from Norwich Bulletin, August 21, 2006).
- In a December 7, 2006 letter addressed to the chief-elected official of Colchester, our local First Selectman requested and received a blue print on how to dissolve the borough and put Jewett City under one town-wide government.
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