2016-04-20
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
April 20, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
The meeting was called to order by Paul Argazzi, Chairman at 7:25pm on Wednesday April 20, 2016 in
the Town Council Chambers of the Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
Those in attendance were:
Bart Bovee
Sam Lomaglio
George Millerd
Maggie Morelli
Brad Parsons
Paul Argazzi, Chairman
Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk
Dennis Kern was absent.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTIONS CONCERNING COMMENTS MADE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND
OTHER PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS
Maggie Morelli voiced support for an Agricultural Commission to support farmers in town.
Chairman Argazzi stated the Commission will start a section by section review of the current Town
Charter at the next meeting. He plans to incorporate input from all town departments as provided.
George Millerd stated residents he worked with took out a petition with several goals:
Accountability of non-partisan Board of Education
Effectiveness of current budget process ie, non-binding budget referendum and lack of
automatic referendum for large projects
Appointment process for various boards and commissions
Sam Lomaglio stated he would like to look at the following:
Partisan Board of Education
Strong Mayor form of government with a Board of Finance to foster accountability and bi-
partisan compromise.
Bart Bovee stated he would like to look at the following:
Partisan Board of Education as other towns have
Board of Finance with Town Council backup
Increase the threshold for going out to bid for current
Numbers of people appointed to current boards and commissions
Mr. Bovee stated whatever is done must be done for the good of the Town, not one political party. He
would like the Commission to look at changes that result in better planning and more forward-thinking.
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BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
April 20, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
Maggie Morelli stated the entire Charter should be reviewed for updates due to changing times and
with a vision for the future. She would like to see:
A more efficient review process for large projects
An exploration of the Board of Finance concept – she likes the current Town Manager form of
government but is open to discussing other forms of government.
A review of the process for appointing people to boards and commissions
An exploration of a bi-annual budget process vs an annual budget
An exploration of the process/agencies involved in water delivery to the town.
Mrs. Morelli stated she does not see any glaring issues with the current Town Charter, and stated the
Commission should look at the good as well as the bad.
Chairman Argazzi stated he would like to see the following:
Elected Mayor as well as elected Town Council
Binding budget process (make it matter or eliminate it all-together)
No board or commission should have more than a bare majority of one party
Board of Finance
Chairman Argazzi would like to see an organization that encourages bi-partisanship and compromise
much more than the current system. Chairman Argazzi stated he saw much more compromise and
accountability with the Mayor and Board of Finance form of government vs the current Town Council.
Brad Parsons stated he is an unaffiliated member of the Commission. He stated his goal is do what is
right for the town, not what is right for any on party. He stated he is going to look at every proposal
with an emphasis on efficiency and accountability. Mr. Parson stated he has a problem with the
organization of the 2 water control districts. Mr. Parsons would like to see them integrated into one
department or into the Tax Collector’s Office.
Chairman Argazzi asked all members of the Charter Revision Commission to review the first few sections
of the current Town Charter. Kate Wall will coordinate obtaining Town Charters from the towns of
Rocky Hill, Newington, Southington and Bristol for review by the Commission. Staff suggestions for
Charter revisions will also be provided to Commissioners for review.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Bart Bovee made a motion to approve the minutes for the April 12, 2016 Special Meeting as amended.
This motion was seconded by George Millerd.
Motion was approved 6 – 0.
ADJOURNMENT
Maggie Morelli made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Sam Lomaglio.
Motion was approved 6 – 0 and meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm.
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BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
April 20, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
Respectfully submitted,
Kari Drost,
Recording Secretary
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