CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 16, 2008
PUBLIC HEARING #845
Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. to obtain public input on proposed changes and amendments to the City’s Charter as presented by the City of Torrington Charter Revision Commission in its Draft Report.
City Clerk Joseph L. Quartiero read the legal notice.
Having no questions or comments, Mayor Bingham called the Public Hearing to a close at 7:02 p.m.
PROPOSED CHANGES & AMENDMENTS TO CITY CHARTER #900
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Soliani, a discussion was held in regard to the proposed changes and amendments to the City’s Charter as presented by the City of Torrington Charter Revision Commission in its Draft Report.
Mayor Bingham noted that Councilor Dalla Valle sent an e-mail stating that he was opposed to having “only the mayor” on a four-year term and in favor of all two-year officials going to four year terms.
Councilor Waldron agreed with Councilor Dalla Valle. He said Mr. Quartiero had pointed out that leaving just the Mayor as a four-year term would create disinterest for one of those election years because it’s the Mayor that creates interest.
Councilor Soliani, member of the Charter Revision Commission, indicated that the Commission wasn’t opposed to four year terms for all elected officials, they just didn’t have enough time to fully review the matter. Should a new Commission be appointed immediately after this one is dissolved, they will look into four year terms for all two-year elected officials.
Councilor Colangelo said he was in favor of keeping the Selectmen on the ballot because it’s a great entry point for those who want to get involved in politics. Although they have no duties to perform, they have some involvement with the political process.
Mayor Bingham and the Council agreed to discuss the items’ one by one.
AMEND MOTION #1015
Councilor Waldron amended his previous motion, from discussing the proposed changes and amendments to the City Charter to discussing one item at a time. Councilor Soliani amended her second. Unanimous.
MOTION: INCREASE LIMIT FOR EXTRAORDINARY EXPEND. #1050
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to put Item #1 on the ballot: To increase the limit for extraordinary expenditures from $100,000.00 to $300,000.00.
MOTION: ELIMINATE SELECTMEN #1060
On a motion by Councilor Soliani, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, a discussion took place on Item #2: Eliminate Selectmen from the ballot.
Councilor Colangelo reiterated that he felt Selectman was a good entry point for those wanting to get involved in politics.
Councilor Soliani indicated that the Selectmen have no specific jobs and all it means is that they get to have their names on the ballot. There is no education other than the one they get from campaigning. She thought there were better ways to get involved in politics than to run for an office that has no duties.
VOTE TO ELIMINATE SELECTMEN FROM THE BALLOT #1160
Councilors Soliani and Carbone voted in favor of the motion to eliminate Selectmen from the ballot. Councilors Colangelo, Jerram, and Waldron opposed. On a 2-3 vote, the motion failed.
MOTION: EXTEND MAYOR’S TERM #1175
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted to extend the office of the Mayor to a term of four years. Councilor Waldron opposed. Motion carried.
MOTION: TECHNICAL CHANGES #1185
Councilor Jerram made a motion to make technical changes as needed. Councilor Colangelo seconded the motion.
Councilor Carbone inquired whether the Commission discussed making the City Clerk’s position a four-year term, which is not part of this proposal.
Mary Jane Gryniuk said there were terms that the Commission wished to see advanced, but they ran into a problem trying to figure out how to stagger the Board of Education and the Board of Public Safety, which they felt was absolutely necessary. The Commission will recommend that Mayor Bingham re-establish another Commission immediately after they are dissolved, so they can have a longer length of time to fully research the details. They decided to start with the Mayor’s position and have the next Charter Revision Commission look at all other two year positions.
VOTE #1255
The Council voted unanimously to make technical changes as needed.
ADJOURNMENT #1260
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:12 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
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