Ledyard — Charter Revision Commission members on Monday set the first public hearing as part of the charter revision process for Wednesday, March 29.

The hearing is mandated by state statute before any work is done on the charter, and allows residents to bring any additional concerns with the charter they have to the commission's attention.

In forming the commission in January, Town Council members had discussed a number of frustrations with the budget referendum schedule mandated by charter.

Currently, the town meeting on the budget is immediately followed by a referendum the next day, and may go to three successive referendums if it is voted down by residents.

The registrars of voters have asked that they be given two and a half weeks between referendums and the town meeting. Councilors have also said the language in the budget schedule is confusing.

"The budget process is going to be the big one," said Stan Juber, who was elected as charter committee chairman during Monday's organizational meeting. 

The referendum can also come as the state legislature is still deciding on its own budget, making it difficult to estimate state revenues.

"We're making decisions and we have no idea what the income would be," said Town Council Chairwoman Linda Davis.

William Peckham and councilor Kevin Dombrowski were elected as vice chairman and recording secretary.

Commission members will meet the first and third Thursdays of the month in the council chambers. They have a year to complete the process.

n.lynch@theday.com