Groton — The Groton Town Council must decide by Oct. 18 whether it supports proposed changes to the structure of town government, including elimination of Representative Town Meeting and creation of a budget referendum.

The council held a public hearing this past Tuesday on recommendations of the Charter Revision Commission and heard from a divided audience about whether to support or reject the proposal. The commission proposed several key changes, including abolishment of the RTM, creation of a seven-member board of finance, term limits for town councilors and establishment of an annual budget referendum.

"This is not something to take lightly. These are large changes for a large town," Mayor Bruce Flax said.

The council will discuss the proposed changes at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the Town Hall Annex. It must submit any recommendations to the commission by the October deadline.

Flax said he plans to raise several issues Tuesday, including a minimum voter turnout for a budget referendum and changes to ensure representation of Groton's seven voting districts. If Groton replaces the RTM with a board of finance, Flax said he'd want each finance board member elected by voters from a district rather than the town at large.

One issue the commission didn't address is whether nonresident property taxpayers should be permitted to vote on a budget referendum if one is created. Town Councilor Diane Barber said she wants the issue discussed.

"I would like to hear the pros and cons on that," she said.

Once the council recommends changes, the commission has 30 days to consider its suggestions and submit a final report.

"The council's suggestions weigh heavily, but the commission can reject their recommendations," Town Clerk Betsy Moukawsher said.

After the commission makes a final report, the council must accept or reject the whole report within 15 days. Any changes to the charter would be placed on the ballot as a referendum question in a future election, Moukawsher said. The deadline for ballot questions in the upcoming Nov. 7 election already has passed.

Given the time and effort commission members invested to review the charter for 15 months, its conclusions should go to voters, Barber said.

"I believe we owe it to them for their hard work to put it out to the voters. Most people that I talk to are all for it," she said. While some voiced opposition during the public hearing, Barber said, "I understand their reservations. Change is hard. But I think it's time that we revisit and tweak the charter."

d.straszheim@theday.com