CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING – 05/27/08
6:30 P.M.
Present: James McKenna, John Ciesco, Mary Jane Gryniuk, Rick DallaValle, Ken
Edwards, Marie Soliani, Stephanie Lauer. Victor Muschell arrived late.
Absent: Tom Telman, Jim Reginatto, Gerry Zordan, Michael NeJaime
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Weaver
Chairman McKenna opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. First item on the agenda was the approval of the May 13th minutes. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes were approved unanimously.
Rick DallaValle then asked that the draft report be amended to correct the figure of $100,000.00 that was used in the example of the rise in costs of certain city projects. He noted that he had compared work done ten years ago to what it would cost today, and that the figure he had used was $1,000,000.00, not $100,000.00. The change will be made.
Upon Motion by Mary Jane Gryniuk, to accept the draft report for submission to the City Council, with the above change, seconded by Marie Soliani, the draft was accepted by a unanimous vote.
The Commission then recessed in order to hold the Public Hearing, after which the Commission would reconvene to discuss the results of said Public Hearing.
The Public Hearing was opened by the Chair at 7:00 p.m. The Secretary then read the legal Notice of said Hearing which was published in the Register Citizen. The Chair asked for anyone from the public who wished to speak to do so.
Mr. Robert Lutka, of 202 Essex Court, Torrington, then spoke regarding the reduction in the number of members to the Board of Education. He was in favor of reducing that number to a more manageable number such as 7. Mr. McKenna explained that the Commission had looked at that proposal after the February Public Hearing when the same suggestion had been made by a former member of the Board.
Mr. Lutka noted that the length of the meetings discouraged participation by members of the public in that the meetings usually lasted three to three and a half hours, simply because it took that long for each of the ten members to express their sentiments on each issue that was raised. He does not believe the Board operates well with ten members, would ask that the number be smaller to be more manageable. He also spoke to the number of people on committees not being necessary.
Mr. Lutka also noted that he was very much in favor of a term of 4 years for the Mayor. He felt that was a more reasonable approach and will recommend to his friends that they support this measure.
Joseph Quartiero, Town Clerk, of 134 Lexington Avenue, Torrington, spoke with regard to changing the terms of all elected officials. He noted that the person holding the office of City Clerk has to be in that position for a period of three years before they can get certified, and therefore, the term should at least allow them the time for such certification.
There being no other members of the public who wished to speak, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:13 p.m.
The Charter Revision Commission then reconvened at 7:14 p.m.
Under discussion the members talked of making up a list of recommendations for the next Charter Revision Commission, since the time constraints on this Commission necessitated the cutting of items which we would have like to address but were unable to research to the degree necessary to make informed decisions.
Mr. DallaValle spoke of the cost of elections, stating he believed each election cost in the neighborhood of $50,000.00. He again reiterated that he thought we should change all elected office to four years at this time.
Mr. Muschell stated that the Board of Education themselves should discuss and debate this issue as it relates to that Board. He also felt the Town Clerk should be a four year term and it could be staggered with the Mayor’s term. He stated that cost should not be a factor in any decisions made.
Mr. Edwards also stated that idea of four year terms needs to be researched further, and he also felt that it was necessary to keep staggered terms for the Board of Education and Board of Public Safety. So even if terms were changed to four years, we would still need to have an election for municipal offices every two years in order to leave “veteran” officials in office to help with transition of newly elected officials.
Mary Jane Gryniuk then noted that she was definitely in favor of going forward with the Mayor having a four year term, and if the same is adopted, then the next Commission would decide which other offices should be changed. She noted that it was very hard to find someone to run for Mayor, if the job security was only two years.
There was then a discussion with Corporation Counsel as to what we are looking at as a time table and she reviewed the same.
Mr. Dalla Valle then made a Motion that the Commission put a change of all elected official terms to four years on the ballot. Stephanie Lauer seconded the same. Under discussion Mr. Muschell again reiterated that there was not enough time to address all the logistics, and Mrs. Gryniuk agreed.
The Chair called for a vote on the motion and the same was defeated by a vote of five to two.
Mr. McKenna again asked for a vote to accept the draft report as it now read, which motion was moved by Mrs. Gryniuk, seconded by Mr. Muschell. There were six votes in favor, one vote by Mr. Dalla Valle against. Motion passed.
Corporation Counsel noted that the report would be on the agenda of the June 2, 2008 meeting of the City Council. Mr. McKenna will present that same and at that point, the Council will set its own public hearing for said Report. Then the Council will make any suggestions they feel the Commission should address which the Commission will then review and issue a final report back to the Council.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Gryniuk, Secretary
Approved: 2008
NOTE TO MINUTES: Although not specifically addressed, the Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
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