CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING – 03/11/08
6:30 P.M.
Present: Victor Muschell, John Ciesco, Jim Reginatto, Rick DallaValle, Gerry Zordan, Ken Edwards, Marie Soliani, Mary Jane Gryniuk
Absent: James McKenna, Thomas Telman, Stephanie Lauer, Michael NeJaime
Others Present: Corporation Counsel Weaver, Members of the Public
In the absence of Chairman McKenna, Vice Chair Muschell opened the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Upon Motions made and seconded, the Minutes of the Public Hearing of February 11, 2008 and the Meeting of February 26, 2008, were unanimously approved. Rick DallaValle abstained on both votes as he was not in attendance at these meetings.
Jerry Zordan brought up a discussion on #14 regarding the referendums on the budgets. He suggested that we eliminate the needs for petitions and set a level at which a referendum would automatically occur. He suggested that #14 should read in part…”should we change the current budget referendum process as it now exists”. It was decided to move on to shortening the list and see if #14 even survives our effort to trim the proposed changes.
Mr. Muschell called for a count on the points the members wished to address and which were to be eliminated. Prior to such vote, it was decided that #17 would be combined with #18 and #19, fully as #17. In addition to those in attendance, Tom Telman and Stephanie Lauer had e-mailed in their top five priorities, which were also counted. The results of the poll are as follows, starting with the highest number of votes:
#3 9 in favor
#9 7 in favor
#10 6 in favor
#17 5 in favor
#2 4 in favor
#8 3 in favor
#13 3 in favor
#20 3 in favor
#7 2 in favor
#11 2 in favor
#14 2 in favor
#1 1 in favor
#4 1 in favor
#12 1 in favor
#19 1 in favor
There were four suggestions that received no votes, being #5, #6, #15 and #18
It was suggested and agreed to that we would try to get the list to ten items, plus an 11th that would deal with technicalities that needed to be changed.
The Commission agreed that nos. 5, 6, 15 and 18 would be eliminated. It was further decided to eliminate nos. 1, 4, 12 and 19. The third group, which all received two votes each were then discussed. It was unanimously agreed to keep #7, to eliminate #11, and upon Motion made and seconded with 7 in favor, 1 against, to keep #14.
Discussion was again held as to the number of questions that should be brought forward for the ballot. Mr. Muschell noted that were down to 10 items, and asked if anyone wished to debate any of those ten questions
Mr. DallaValle noted that out of 171 towns and cities in Connecticut we were one of five who still have an elected Board of Public Safety. The appointment vs. election of Board members was discussed and there was discussion as to the word “Qualified”. Who decides if someone is qualified and actually, what does that mean. Discussion followed with no particular resolution.
Mr. Muschell noted that we were spending a lot of time on some of these questions, and perhaps we should set up sub-committees to investigate the more involved subjects. He reminded the members that the Charter has a lot of information and verbiage that might render some of these points moot.
Mr. Zordan thought we ought to eliminate the word “Election”. Mr. DallaValle suggested that we bring in someone that is more knowledgeable in this area, and the Secretary was asked to determine who that person is and try to get him to come to speak to the Commission.
Mary Jane Gryniuk suggested that we try to get the list down to 5 at the next meeting. Mr. Reginatto brought up the questions of staggered term limits and if the terms were changed to four years, how would that work with municipal elections being held every four instead of two years. It was noted that something would have to be worked on to accommodate six year terms, especially on the Board of Education.
Mr. Muschell suggested that we again take a look at the remaining suggestions. As to item #14, a vote was taken and the same was eliminated by a vote of 3 to leave on, and 5 to remove. #20 was eliminated by a vote of 2 to leave on and 6 to remove. #9 was again brought up, and John Ciesco noted that Constables can also be appointed. On the ballot, eight names appear and 7 are elected, with four being from the majority party and 3 from the minority party. They could also be appointed in the same fashion.
There was a motion to remove #9, and with a vote of 4 to 4, motion failed. It was then decided that #9, to eliminate Selectmen would stay on the list. Upon Motion made and seconded, by a vote of 4 to 3, a new item, to have constables appointed would be added.
It was then further decided by motions made and seconded that:
#7 would be left on with a vote of 7 to 1;
#8 would be eliminated as there was no reason to do there as the mechanics for
the same are already in the Charter – unanimous;
#13 would be left on with unanimous vote;
#16 would come under the technicality question and therefore would come off
the list.
Therefore, the new list will have 9 questions to be further discussed.
Upon Motion by Mr. DallaValle and seconded by Mr. Ciesco, and unanimous vote, the nine items were approved (See attachment).
Corporation Counsel Weaver went over the deadlines and target dates to get the questions on the November, 2008 Ballot. The following are target dates: 4/23 to 5/12/08 to hold Public Hearings; 5/19/08 for the presentation of the draft questions to the City Council. The final report must be approved no later than September 2nd.
Again it was suggested that we meet every two weeks for at least the next three months. It was also suggested that we invite Fire Chief Field to the next meeting to explain his reasons for the changes suggested (former #17, 18 and 19). We should also get some info from CCM regarding Board of Ed terms.
Upon Motion made and seconded, unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. The next meeting will be our regularly scheduled meeting on March 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s office.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Gryniuk, Secretary
Approved:_______________
Suggested Charter Changes
Revised March 11, 2008
(In no particular order)
Creation of term limits for elected officials and appointed commissioners.
Extending the terms of office for various City elected officials, including the Mayor. Changing the terms of the Board of Education members.
Changing the limits for extraordinary expenses.
Eliminate the position of Selectmen from the ballot.
Eliminate the election of Constables.
Eliminate the Board of Public Safety and change to appointed Commissioners.
Create a process to deal with charter violations.
Adopt proposed language changes for the Fire Department.
9. Deal with technical language issues.
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