1991-06-10CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
TOWN OF BERLIN
A meeting of the Charter Revision Commission of the Town of Berlin
was called to order by Acting Chairman Ward at 7:05 p.m. in the Finance
Board room at the Town Hall on Monday, .,,J
_gM-j-6 -, at 7:05 p.m. Members
present were: Mrssrs. Cugno, Swanson, Pavano, Greatorex, Gandolfo, Russak
Eshoo, Mrs. Kearns and Mrs-. Ward.
The minutes of the June 4, 1991 were approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Mrs. Ward announced that Commissioner Kearns had contacted Mary -Ellen
Johnson to be recording secretary and Mrs. Johnson called to thank the Com-
mission but declined as she presently does not have the time to devote to
this very important commission.
In accordance with a request made by Commissioner Greatorex, Mrs. Ward
reported to the Commission that the Finance Board had adopted a budget
for the Commission as follows: 1991-1992 Fiscal Year $1,080 for secretarial
services, $1,000 for contracted services -and $800 for supplies. $120.00
will be allowed in this year's budget for secretarial services for two
meetings at $60.00 each.
NEW BUSINESS
The first order of business was to elect a permanent Chairman for the
Commission. Commissioner Gandolfo requested that.before a chairman ' was
chosen that each of the members introduce themselves and give a brief
description of their background; which was done. Commissioner Gandolfo
then asked.who would not like to be chairman and a show of hands was
given. After further discussion a motion was made by Chairman Swanson to
place in nomination the name of Attorney Jeffrey Cugno as chairman,
seconded by Attorney Pavano ALL IN FAVOR. The commission congratulated
Atty Cugno and he then assumed the Chair.
Next item on the agenda was the election of a -Vice -Chairman. A motion
was made by Commissioner Ward to place in nomination the name of Katherine
Kearns, Seconded by Commissioner Swanson ALL IN FAVOR.
Chairman Cugno then made a motion that commissioner Ward be elected
secretary of the Commission, seconded by Commissioner Kearns, ALL IN FAVOR.
The discussion of a recording secretary was brought up by Commissioner
Ward and she recommended Marsha Busnardo of 45 Boyer Street, Kensington.
Mrs. Busnardo is the recording secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals
in Berlin and Commissioner Ward highly recommended her. Upon motion by
commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Greatorex, it was recom-
mended that Mrs. Busnardo be contacted to see if she would be interested
in the position. ALL IN FAVOR.
r
The Commission voted on holding its public hearing next Tuesday, June 18,
1991 at 7:30 p.m. at the meeting room in the Town Hall, with a special
meeting of the commission being called immediately after the public hearing
in the Board of Finance board room to discuss and review -comments re-
ceived at the hearing. The Commission also set its regularly scheduled
meetings to be held each Monday at 7:00 p.m. until further notice.
Discussion was held as to a format to be followed by the Commission re-
garding guest speakers; whether or not an audience of citizens will
be held before each meeting; if guest speakers will be by invitation;
whom to invite to appear before the commission;if guest speakers
will be by invitation and whom to invite to speak before the commission.
It was further recommended that before any work be done on the Charter
that we contact a professional in the field who has worked with Charter
Commissions come and speak before us. It was brought up that there are
many experts that can be contacted either through IPS, CCM, or CPEC.
Further discussion regarding this will take place at the next meeting.
Commissioner Greatorex distributed to the Commission members a Memorandum
he received from the Conn Public Expenditure Council at his request
regarding forms of Government of Connecticut Towns and Cities. The
Memorandum is attached and made apart of the minutes.
Chairman Cugno stated that he will keep the press informed of our progress
and give periodic informational articles to the Courant and New Britain
Herald to keep the public informed. He asked that Commissioner Ward
take care of placing the legal notice on the public hearing in the
paper.
There being no further business to come before the meeting it was
adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Dated at Berlin, Connecticut this 17th day of June, 1991.
Joanne G. Ward
Secretary Pro Tem