By HEATHER NELLIS

For the C-S-E

FONDA  —  Montgomery County residents will vote whether to change their form of government this November, as the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to put the Charter Commission’s proposal to a referendum.

Twelve of the 13 supervisors present voted in favor of the resolution, but where the vote was split was an amendment to alter the provisions to switch the elected treasurer position to an appointed commissioner of finance.

The amendment failed the first time around, as seven supervisors voted against it.

But Amsterdam 4th Ward Supervisor Barbara Wheeler, who initially voted no, requested a recall when it was realized the other option  —  to make the issue a separate referendum on the November ballot  —  was impossible under the time constraints for this year’s election.

“My issue was I wanted that to go to the public to let them vote whether or not they wanted an elected treasurer,” she said. “But now, conceding to where we’re at in the process, I’d like to revote.”

Glen Supervisor Lawrence Coddington, who’s driven the effort to change the county’s Board of Supervisors to a legislature, said his understanding of municipal law is if the supervisors wanted to put the treasurer issue on the ballot, it would require an additional public hearing and an additional resolution, which would not have been completed in time for the Board of Elections to add it to the ballot.

County Attorney Douglas Landon agreed with Coddington’s assessment, and the supervisors revoted, and the amendment was passed.

The six supervisors who voted against the amendment stood firm in their belief the commission’s proposal should not have been altered if it was going to be sent to the public.

And that’s the reason why Mohawk town Supervisor Greg Rajkowski voted against the amended resolution, he said.

“Plus I was one of the last people to vote, so I knew my vote didn’t matter.”

Board Chairman and Charleston Supervisor Shayne Walters has been a loud vocal opponent against changing the county’s government, but said he voted in favor of the resolution because “I’ve said all along I wanted it to go to the public, and I knew a no vote didn’t mean anything.”

In the midst of the debate whether the supervisors should alter the commission’s proposal, Root Supervisor John Thayer called a Republican caucus, leaving 5th Ward Supervisor Michael Chiara, St. Johnsville Supervisor Dominick Stagliano and 2nd Ward Supervisor Jeff Stark to wait in the chambers.

Commission member Bill Wills said he became nervous about the future of the charter at that point, but said he was pleased when the vote moved forward a short time after the Republicans re-entered the chambers.

Wills said he was glad the supervisors opted to amend the proposal on the treasurer, “because I think it might have been doomed otherwise. But I really respect what the supervisors did in there, and the time it took to deliberate their changes and what it would mean for the rest of the document. I think it ends up giving the public as much choice as possible when it comes to their government, and it’s what we’ve heard the public wanted in the past two or three weeks.”

Now comes the task of educating the public on the 27 page document. Amsterdam 1st Ward Supervisor Vito “Butch” Greco said he hopes people will read the proposed charter.

“People need to see the authority of the county executive, and should know what that authority is — all hiring, firing, appointments. And the legislative body will be here to make laws, policies, and that’s it. Please be informed, because this is a drastic change.”

Commission Chairman Dustin Swanger said several commission members, including himself, are interested in working to help educate the public about the proposed changes.

“I’m more interested in making sure people understand it, not shoving it down their throats,” Swanger said. “But I’m hopeful the people will pass it, because I truly believe it will move the county forward.”

The charter is available on the county’s website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us.

How they voted

The following list details how the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday whether or not to let the constituency vote on the Charter Commission’s proposal to change county government. Amsterdam town Supervisor Thomas DiMezza and 3rd Ward Supervisor Ronald J. Barone Sr. were absent.

1st Ward Supervisor Vito “Butch” Greco: Aye

2nd Ward Supervisor Jeff Stark: Aye

4th Ward Supervisor Barbara Wheeler: Aye

5th Ward Supervisor Michael Chiara: Aye

Canajoharie Supervisor Herbert Allen: Aye

Charleston Supervisor Shayne Walters: Aye

Florida Supervisor William Strevy: Aye

Glen Supervisor Lawrence Coddington: Aye

Minden Supervisor Thomas Quackenbush: Aye

Mohawk Supervisor Greg Rajkowski: Nay

Palatine Supervisor Brian Sweet: Aye

Root Supervisor John Thayer: Aye

St. Johnsville Supervisor Dominick Stagliano: Aye