2016-07-21
BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
July 21, 2016 – Regular Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Argazzi at 7:06 pm on Thursday July 21, 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
Brad Parsons
Paul Argazzi, Chairman
Kate Wall, Berlin Town Clerk
AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Bart Bovee made a motion to accept the minutes from the June 13, 2016 Special Meeting as amended.
Brad Parsons seconded the motion.
Motion was approved 5 – 0 with George Millerd abstaining.
DISCUSSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL AND RESULTING ACTIONS
Commission discussed recommendations and feedback received from Town Council.
The Commission discussed adding a provision that the Council could reduce the budget proposed by the
Board of Finance, how to handle a Board of Finance deadlock, and the baseline budget to be used in the
event of a deadlock. By consensus, the Commission made revisions that incorporated these
suggestions.
The Commission discussed having the Board of Education elected all at once, as the Town Council is,
majority representation, and terms of service. The Commission will change to a 6 – 3 majority elected
all at once every 2 years as suggested by the Council.
The Commission discussed Planning and Zoning Commissions. Dennis Kern presented his case for a
more accountable Boards of elected officials as well as increased planning functions.
Bart Bovee made a motion was made to keep Planning and Zoning as one Commission. Sam Lomaglio
seconded the motion.
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BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
July 21, 2016 – Regular Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
Motion was approved 4 – 2 with Dennis Kern and George Millerd voting no.
The Commission discussed changing dollar figures to percentages of the budget. The Commissioners
agreed that this would be hard for the general public to understand. George Millerd shared a
suggestion from the Cheshire Town Charter that allows the Council to review dollar amounts in the
Charter every 5 years to accomplish the goal of making the Charter a living document. The Commission
will include such language.
Language change was made to Board of Ethics.
The Commission did not recommend any further changes.
Bart Bovee made a motion to approve the final draft of the Charter as amended and forward said draft
to the Town Council for inclusion on the July 26,2016 Town Council Agenda. Sam Lomaglio seconded
the motion.
Motion was approved 6 – 0.
FUTURE EVENTS
Chairman Argazzi stated that the Charter Revision Commission will work on referendum questions for
upcoming elections.
There will also be a Town Council Meeting on July 26, 2016. All Commissioners are encouraged to
attend.
ADJOURNMENT
Dennis Kern made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Sam Lomaglio.
Motion was approved 6 – 0 and meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kari Drost,
Recording Secretary
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BERLIN CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
July 21, 2016 – Regular Meeting
** APPROVED MINUTES **
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