2016-05-05
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
May 5, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Argazzi at 7:11pm on Thursday May 5, 2016 in Caucus
Room A of the Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
Those in attendance were:
Dennis Kern (arrived at 7:20)
Sam Lomaglio
George Millerd
Maggie Morelli
Brad Parsons
Paul Argazzi, Chairman
Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
No comments
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Sam Lomaglio made a motion to accept the minutes from the May 2, 2016 Special Meeting as amended.
George Millerd seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 6 – 0.
DISCUSSION ON THE CHARTER
Brad Parsons reviewed information he had obtained from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
regarding the minimum qualifications for a Town Manager.
Jim Wren’s suggestions from the previous meeting were reviewed.
Discussion included:
- The need for a “Definitions” section to include the Board of Education, unless specifically
excluded.
- Creation of results-oriented budget referendum process.
- Mandated advisory question on budget referendum.
- Separate votes on Town budget and BOE budget.
- Timing of referendums to coincide with June 1 tax deadline.
- Number of votes to pass budget.
- Goal of creating a process that fosters accountability and transparency for taxpayers
through a collaborative relationship with Town, BOE, Council, and Manager.
- Consequences for inaction on budget.
Page 1 of 3
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
May 5, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
CHAPTER 8 - APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – GENERALLY
Dennis Kern stated Boards and Commissions are important and it is vitally necessary to get the best,
most-qualified candidates. Charter language should mandate a process to facilitate this goal.
Discussion included:
- State Statute language with mandatory minimums from political parties vs Berlin Town
Charter simple majority mandate on Boards and Commissions
- Accountability of Boards and Commissions.
- Oversight authority and financial accountability of all Boards and Commissions.
- Town liaison appointed by Town Manager defined for all Boards and Commissions.
- Number of people on boards and commissions.
- Commission mandated by Charter vs formed by Ordinance.
Chairman of Public Building Commission to be invited to future meeting to outline and clarify current
processes and provide Commission with any suggestions for improvement.
Dennis Kern had the following comments:
- All appointees to all Boards and Commissions should be given a copy of the Town Plan of
Conservation and Development upon election to office.
- Corporation Council should provide annually to each Commission, a summary of State
Statutes that apply to their particular Commission.
- Conservation Commission shall make recommendations to other Commissions on proposed
land use issues and subdivisions.
- Inland Wetlands Commission should not deal with pollution issues. These pollution issues
are better served under the Conservation Commission.
- Town Plan of Conservation and Development has been lost in the current process. Planning
and Zoning should be separated out as they were in the 1973 charter.
PREPARATION FOR NEXT MEETING
Chairman Argazzi stated that the discussion of Chapter 8 would continue at the next meeting as well as
discussion of a Board of Finance. Chairman Argazzi asked all Commissioners to bring ideas for designing
a Board of Finance that will function in coordination with the Town Council and Town Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
Sam Lomaglio made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Brad Parsons.
Motion was approved 6 – 0 and meeting was adjourned at 10:32 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Page 2 of 3
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
May 5, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
Kari Drost,
Recording Secretary
Page 3 of 3
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
May 5, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Argazzi at 7:11pm on Thursday May 5, 2016 in Caucus
Room A of the Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT.
Those in attendance were:
Dennis Kern (arrived at 7:20)
Sam Lomaglio
George Millerd
Maggie Morelli
Brad Parsons
Paul Argazzi, Chairman
Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
No comments
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Sam Lomaglio made a motion to accept the minutes from the May 2, 2016 Special Meeting as amended.
George Millerd seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 6 – 0.
DISCUSSION ON THE CHARTER
Brad Parsons reviewed information he had obtained from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
regarding the minimum qualifications for a Town Manager.
Jim Wren’s suggestions from the previous meeting were reviewed.
Discussion included:
- The need for a “Definitions” section to include the Board of Education, unless specifically
excluded.
- Creation of results-oriented budget referendum process.
- Mandated advisory question on budget referendum.
- Separate votes on Town budget and BOE budget.
- Timing of referendums to coincide with June 1 tax deadline.
- Number of votes to pass budget.
- Goal of creating a process that fosters accountability and transparency for taxpayers
through a collaborative relationship with Town, BOE, Council, and Manager.
- Consequences for inaction on budget.
Page 1 of 3
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
May 5, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
CHAPTER 8 - APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – GENERALLY
Dennis Kern stated Boards and Commissions are important and it is vitally necessary to get the best,
most-qualified candidates. Charter language should mandate a process to facilitate this goal.
Discussion included:
- State Statute language with mandatory minimums from political parties vs Berlin Town
Charter simple majority mandate on Boards and Commissions
- Accountability of Boards and Commissions.
- Oversight authority and financial accountability of all Boards and Commissions.
- Town liaison appointed by Town Manager defined for all Boards and Commissions.
- Number of people on boards and commissions.
- Commission mandated by Charter vs formed by Ordinance.
Chairman of Public Building Commission to be invited to future meeting to outline and clarify current
processes and provide Commission with any suggestions for improvement.
Dennis Kern had the following comments:
- All appointees to all Boards and Commissions should be given a copy of the Town Plan of
Conservation and Development upon election to office.
- Corporation Council should provide annually to each Commission, a summary of State
Statutes that apply to their particular Commission.
- Conservation Commission shall make recommendations to other Commissions on proposed
land use issues and subdivisions.
- Inland Wetlands Commission should not deal with pollution issues. These pollution issues
are better served under the Conservation Commission.
- Town Plan of Conservation and Development has been lost in the current process. Planning
and Zoning should be separated out as they were in the 1973 charter.
PREPARATION FOR NEXT MEETING
Chairman Argazzi stated that the discussion of Chapter 8 would continue at the next meeting as well as
discussion of a Board of Finance. Chairman Argazzi asked all Commissioners to bring ideas for designing
a Board of Finance that will function in coordination with the Town Council and Town Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
Sam Lomaglio made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Brad Parsons.
Motion was approved 6 – 0 and meeting was adjourned at 10:32 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Page 2 of 3
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
May 5, 2016 – Special Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
Kari Drost,
Recording Secretary
Page 3 of 3