1991-07-15T
I MINUTES OF 7/15/91
CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
TOWN OF BERLIN
A meeting of the Charter Revision Commission of the Town of Berlin was
called to order by Chairman Cugno at 7:08 p.m.'in the Public Hearing
Room on Monday, July 15, 1991. Members present were: Chairman Jeffrey
Cugno, Joanne Ward, Kathryn Kearns, Henry Russak, Thomas Pavano, Anthony
Gandolfo, Richard Swanson, Paul Eshoo and Stephen Greatorex.
A correction was made to the July 8, 1991 minutes. In the fifth para-
graph change they to the. Commissioner Pavano made a motion to accept
the minutes as corrected. Mrs. Ward seconded the motion. All voted in
favor. Gal�w.
Chairman Cugno asked Commissioner Greatorex to introduce tonights speaker'
and give a little background on him. Commissioner Greatorex proceeded to
introduce Professor George Hill who is with the Institute of Public Service
at the University of Connecticut. This service provides training and
information about Connecticut and local government. Professor Hill has
worked with state and local government for the past thirty years. He was
a member of the Charter Revision for the city of Hartford. Professor Hill
is involved with the Board of Finance in the town of Mansfield. Commissione
Greatorex concluded in saying that according to his research Professor Hill
is an expert in all forms of government in the State of Connecticut.
Professor Hill began his presentation by updating his resume. He stated
that he has been the Mayor of Mansfield for the past four (4) years and
that the town of Mansfield has changed their form of government from the
Selectmen/Board of F'in'ance form of government to a Manager/Council form
of government. Professor Hill then proceeded to explain the three forms
of government in Connecticut. He will discuss why the forms differ and
explain their strengths and weakness.
The first form of government discussed was the Selectman/Town Meeting Form.
Professor Hill stated that this was the first form of government for every
town in Connecticut at one time. This form of government had a.Legislative
Branch (Town Meeting) and a chief administrator (Mayor). When the Con-
stitution was drawn up people were fearful of a monarchy so they chose
this form of government since it had separation of powers. There is no
centralized responsibility in a Selectman/Town Meeting form of government,
and there is not a strong chief administrator due to the fact that he did
not have the power to appoint.
Due to population growth and economic development people felt that this
form of government no longer met their needs. Professor Hill stated that
the towns would have to go to the General'Assembly to get a special act
passed to meet their growing needs, thus, a new form of government was
created. A Mayor/Council form of government was formed which had central-
ized responsibility. Professor Hill stated that the weakness in this form
of government was due to the fact that there were only one(1) party cities
and towns. This meant that a Mayor may get re-elected because of his
political support even if he failed to meet the needs of the taxpayers.
Profess Hill then proceeded to explain the Manager/Council form of govern-
ment which was created due to the population explosion in the suburbs dur-
ing the 60's and 701s. A Town Manager has the authority to hire and fire
all department heads. Professor Hill stated that the Legislative Body
is no longer the Town Meeting in this form of government. There is a
nine -member council which the Town Manager must appear before to set the
policy of the town. Some people felt that since the Town Manager is
appointed by this Council that he may not be as receptive to the voters
needs in town. Some towns with a Manager/Council form of government kept
the Town Meeting to adopt the budget.
Professor Hill concluded his presentation by stating that there is no
one form of government that is best. You must choose a form of government
that best reflects the values of your community.
After a brief question/ansi�er period with Professor Hill and a discussion
on the up -coming survey, Commissioner Eshoo made a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 9:15 p.m. Commissioner Pavano seconded the motion. All voted
in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha Busnarda
Recording Secretary