Loading...
2016-06-06 Public Hearing BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION June 6, 2016 – Public Hearing ** APPROVED MINUTES ** The meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Argazzi at 7:00pm on Monday June 6, 2016 in the Town Council Chambers of the Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT. Those in attendance were: Bart Bovee Dennis Kern Sam Lomaglio George Millerd Maggie Morelli Paul Argazzi, Chairman Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk READING OF THE LEGAL NOTICE Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk, read the legal notice: A Public Hearing of the Charter Revision Commission will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 in the Town Council Chambers, Berlin Town Hall, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT at 7:00pm for the purpose of receiving both written and verbal comments of all interested citizens of Berlin regarding the proposed revisions of the Berlin Charter. th Dated at Berlin, Connecticut this 19 day of May, 2016. Paul Argazzi, Chairman Charter Revision Commission Publish dates: May 31, 2016 June 4, 2016 PUBLIC HEARING Peter Rosso of 34 Briar Lane questioned the term limits for Commissioners and clarified that each party would run candidates for 3 Town Council positions and one Mayor position. Dave Cyr of 245 Cole Lane and Chairman of Economic Development Commission stated comments from members of the Economic Development Commission regarding separation of Planning and Zoning Commissions: - Processes should be as streamlined as possible and that new Commissions with regulatory authority only be created as a last resort. Page 1 of 5 BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION June 6, 2016 – Public Hearing ** APPROVED MINUTES ** - Separation of Planning and Zoning Commissions creates another step in the regulatory process. - Question of which commission would prevail if the two commissions should disagree. - Is this the best way to ensure more planning takes place? Mr. Cyr further addressed the following: - Term limits - there is a constant struggle to fill Commissions. Mr. Cyr suggested allowing Commissions to review applications and select applicants to fill their own vacancies. - It is too much to add Chairman of the Economic Development Commission to the Mayor’s duties. Mr. Cyr suggested making the Mayor the seventh member of the Economic Development Commission, but not the Chairman. Commissioner Dennis Kern explained the Commission’s rationale for separating the Planning and Zoning Commissions and stated that too much time is spent on zoning and not enough on planning. Mr. Kern stated that the Plan of Conservation and Development is being marginalized. Mr. Kern stated that good planning is important because good planning leads to good zoning. Julie Erickson of 85 Hickory Hill Road stated she served 9 years as a Board of Education (BOE) member and she was not in favor of a partisan Board of Education. Ms. Erickson’s comments included the following: - BOE candidates must be committed in order to gather the signatures required to petition onto the BOE ballot. - Politics should not be involved in the BOE. - Learning curve is such that two year terms are not long enough. - Not in favor of separating town and BOE budgets on the ballot as Berlin is one town and thereby should have 1 budget. Commissioner George Millerd stated that he had heard many requests from town residents for more accountability on spending and separation of Town and BOE budgets is one way to do this. Joann Angelico-Stetson of 188 Stony Mill Lane stated that she is a current BOE member. Ms. Stetson stated that a partisan BOE is dangerous as political discourse could interfere with BOE decision making and that the current BOE is very effective. Diane Jorsey of 1092 Edgewood Road requested formation of an Agricultural Commission be included in charter revision. Chairman Argazzi explained that the Commission discussed an Agricultural Commission and felt that this was a policy decision that would be best handled by the Town Council through an Ordinance. Anne Reilly of 153 Stillmeadow Lane commented as follows: - Proposed changes allow for more transparency for residents. - Board of Finance will give residents with finance or analytical backgrounds and experience an opportunity to volunteer. Page 2 of 5 BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION June 6, 2016 – Public Hearing ** APPROVED MINUTES ** - Allow for ongoing budgeting and analysis throughout the year, not just during budget season. - Separate votes and multiple votes on budget as well as automatic referendums will allow for more accountability and transparency and a greater voice for residents. - Term limits will allow new volunteers to bring new ideas. - BOE elections must be changed in order to elicit any meaningful change. - Move the process forward and let town residents make the decision of which of the proposed changes should be enacted. Tim Oakes of 31 Belcher Hollow Road and current BOE president stated: - Two year terms for BOE members are too short. - BOE works on long-term projects that require long-term planning. - Current BOE leaves politics at the door and focuses on what is best for the kids. - There are 3 other Commissions that currently have 3 year terms. - Questioned the Joint Board and 2/3 vote to move budget forward vs 9 votes dictated in Charter. Julia Motte of 115 Norton Road stated the following: - Supports separation of Town and BOE budget votes in referendum. - She is a newly elected BOE member and a teacher in another town and feels that a two year term was not long enough. - Disagrees with partisan BOE as she is an independent and does not feel that members should bring partisan issues into BOE. - Berlin is on focus list for student achievement this year but feels this is due to changes in the test protocol. - Berlin does need to be competitive but Ms. Motte does not believe that a change to a partisan BOE would increase the quality of education. - Productivity of BOE will be higher if political agendas are not brought into the discussion. Kristin Campanelli of 310 Savage Hill Road read a letter from Gary Brochu that stated in part: - The Charter Revision Commission conducted its business in secret without published agendas and/or minutes. - The current BOE is very effective and functions so well because it is non-partisan. - The current town charter allows for all residents to have an equal opportunity to serve on the BOE and the current system of electing a third of its members each year ensures some level of experienced members remains. Chairman Argazzi responded that all meetings of the Charter Revision Commission have been properly noticed, all have had an Audience of Citizens to allow for public comments, all have been open to the public, and all meeting minutes have been posted and available to the public in accordance with time- frames dictated by statute. Kristin Campanelli stated she is a former member of the BOE and current Town Councilor. Ms. Campanelli stated she was not a member of the Democratic Town Committee when she ran for the BOE. Page 3 of 5 BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION June 6, 2016 – Public Hearing ** APPROVED MINUTES ** She joined the Berlin Democratic Town Committee after being elected to the BOE. Ms. Campanelli felt inviting politics into children’s education is not productive. Jan Zagorski of 63 Grandview Avenue stated she was an educator in Berlin and a member of the Youth Advisory Board. Ms. Zagorski stated she attends most BOE meetings and feels a non-partisan board serves the best interests of the children. Michelle Hartel of 820 Worthington Ridge states she is a parent and former BOE member and does not agree with a partisan BOE. Ms. Hartel felt that the Board of Finance could be a more effective way to increase accountability. Ms. Hartel questioned the goal of changing to a partisan BOE. Chairman Argazzi answered that it is the perception of the public that it is impossible to change the direction of the BOE. The Charter Revision Commission’s goal in all proposed changes was to increase accountability and transparency. Summer Cookson of 305 Brook Meadow Road stated she is a parent and an educator in another town. Ms. Cookson stated she feels that a lot of problems arise when politics enter education. Ms. Cookson stated that she moved here 4 years ago from a town she felt was very political. Richard Paskiewicz of Ellwood Road, former BOE member and former Superintendent of Schools for 10 years states he has worked for both partisan and non-partisan BOE’s. Mr. Paskiewicz stated that when he worked for a partisan BOE he felt it was necessary for him to know the political affiliation of all members of the BOE. Robert Dacey of Magnolia Drive stated he served on the Board of Finance and on the Town Council. Mr. Dacey stated that he disagrees with term limits. Mr. Dacey stated serving on the Town Council is not hard work but serving as the Mayor and as the Chairman of the Finance Committee is hard work. Mr. Dacey stated that the budget should be a year-long process but that the Board of Finance is not necessary in the current form of government because serving on the Town Council is not hard work and that the Council can handle finance duties. Mr. Dacey further stated that a partisan BOE pushes the agendas of the leadership of political parties. Joan Veley of 1424 Orchard Road states she loves that voters will be given a second chance in budget referendums. She is in favor of the following: - Two separate budget votes and automatic referendums on large projects. - Partisan BOE as this works effectively in all other towns in CT. Ms. Veley stated that she appreciates the passion expressed by all the current and former BOE members but feels that all townspeople should have the option to be a part of the BOE if they choose. - Board of Finance is excellent idea to realistically see how budgets in all departments function throughout the budget year. Ms. Veley stated that the Board of Finance is an opportunity for fiscally-minded people to participate in town government. Page 4 of 5 BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION June 6, 2016 – Public Hearing ** APPROVED MINUTES ** Gary Brochu of 98 Thompson Road, former BOE President, stated he does not feel that the BOE is a closed group. Mr. Brochu states that any person can petition to be on the BOE and that he feels many would not run if they had to be affiliated with a political party. Len Zielinski of 24 Winesap Road stated he feels that a two year term on the BOE is too short and that shifts in politics could result in shifts in educational agendas. Mr. Zielinski further stated that the Charter Revision Commission should put an Agricultural Commission into the Charter. ADJOURNMENT Dennis Kern made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Maggie Morelli. Motion was approved 6 – 0 and meeting was adjourned at 9:55 pm. Respectfully submitted, Kari Drost, Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5