2016-04-28
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
April 28, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Argazzi at 7:02pm on Monday April 28, 2016 in
Caucus Room A of the Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
Those in attendance were:
Bart Bovee
Dennis Kern
Sam Lomaglio
George Millerd
Maggie Morelli
Brad Parsons
Paul Argazzi, Chairman
Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk
Robert Peters, Chairman of Police Commission
Tim Oakes, Board of Education President
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
Len Zielinski spoke in favor of professional Town Manager vs elected Mayor.
Bob Peters stated old form of government with elected Mayor was much more effective than current
Town Council. Mr. Peters further stated more decisions should be in the hands of voters and an elected
Mayor is much more accountable to the people. Mr. Peters stated department heads must be held
accountable, more than one referendum should be held on the budget, and automatic referendums
should be held for major projects. Mr. Peters stated election of officers for Boards and Commissions,
including the Police Commission, should be held the first meeting after elections. Mr. Peters finished by
reminding the Commission that government is of and for the people and he is afraid that the Town is
losing sight of this.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Bart Bovee made a motion to accept the minutes from the April 25, 2016 Special Meeting as amended.
Sam Lomaglio seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 7 – 0.
DISCUSSION ON THE CHARTER
Jim Wren, Director of Finance, will attend Monday May 2, 2016 meeting.
Tim Oakes, Board of Education President invited to future meetings.
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BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
April 28, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
CHAPTER 2 – ELECTIONS
Discussion included:
- The size of the Board of Education and protocol for staggering of terms of partisan Board of
Education members.
- Political Board of Education vs. accountable Board of Education.
- Language that facilitates the recruiting of qualified candidates for Boards and Commissions.
- Current procedures cause people to be afraid of running for or joining Board and
Commissions.
- Number of signatures required to petition for Board of Education.
- Replacement of candidates by party affiliation.
CHAPTER 3
Request clarification from Jim Wren of request for Town Council approval of contracts – does this
include all Board of Education Contracts?
CHAPTER 4 – ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS
Police Commission Chairman Bob Peters clarified Police Commission’s position on Town Manager’s
request that Town Council approve grievances resulting in a monetary impact to the Town. Police
Commission feels that the current format works effectively and does not need to be changed.
CHAPTER 5 – MANAGER
Discussion included:
- Requirement for Manager to live in Town or language that Town Manager ‘may” live outside
of town with Town Council approval.
- Duties if Interim Manager to include filling of vacancies for direct reports.
- New language to include, but not mandate, a Purchasing Agent.
Dennis Kern stated that allowing the Town Manager to live out of town may offer the Town the ability to
attract the best quality candidates.
CHAPTER 6 – APPOINTIVE OFFICERS AND BOARDS
The following positions report directly to the Town Manager:
Director Human Resources (Shared Position with Board of Education), Director Community/Recreation
and Park Services, Director Development Services, Town Engineer/Public Works Director, Finance
Director, Library Director, Nursing Director, Director Timberlin Golf Course, Town Clerk
Discussion included:
- Conflicting language regarding removal of employees vs removal of employees for cause.
- Removal of “competitive examination” language.
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BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
April 28, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
- Addition of Division of Purchasing to be listed under Department of Finance.
- Staff suggestion to exempt leases under a certain dollar amount from public hearing
requirement.
- Automatic referendum for bonded projects over a specified dollar amount.
- Majority vs supermajority vote of Town Council to advance certain large projects or
expenditures.
- Allow Town Council to vote on timing of referendums.
Maggie Morelli requested that the Finance Director outline the current process from Statement of Need
through project implementation for the Commission with a goal of adding/changing Charter language to
make this process more efficient and cost effective.
There was a general discussion regarding the Public Building Commission and adoption of best practices,
including the design-build concept, and how these best practices can be incorporated into the Charter to
improve overall efficiency and cost effectiveness of future projects.
PREPARATION FOR NEXT MEETING
Chairman Argazzi requested that all Commissioners prepare for the next meeting by reviewing the 1973
Town of Berlin Charter, with emphasis on the Board of Finance section. The challenge is to combine the
current Town Council form of government with a Board of Finance.
Chapters 6 and 7 will be discussed at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Dennis Kern made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Sam Lomaglio.
Motion was approved 7 – 0 and meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kari Drost,
Recording Secretary
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