Charter Changes Brings Division
By Robin Vinci | Editor at February 11, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Print
The Common Council has approved forming a charter revision committee to make various recommendations and amendments to the charter, but not all are in favor of the changes.
On Wednesday night the Council agreed to form a committee including - Adrian Baron (D), Michael Carrier (D), Catherine Cheney (R), Michael Davis (U), Peter Gostin (R) , Efrain Rosado (R) and Mary Pokorski (D) - split among party lines to study the possible changes.
Items contained in the Charter that should be reviewed and potentially amended include:
- Change the Collector of Taxes and City and Town Clerk from elective positions to appointed positions.
- Change the term of office for Mayor from two (2) years to four (4) years.
- Change the Common Council election provisions to ensure minority representation on the Common Council.
- Remove provisions related to boards and commissions that are unnecessary or no longer exist and replace them with references to existing boards and commissions.
Items that should be considered and potentially included in the Charter include:
- Include a compensation plan, or provisions for establishing and updating a compensation plan, for non-union, appointed and elected officials.
- Include provisions to establish a Golf Authority to oversee all operations at Stanley Golf Course.
Democrat Party Chairman John McNamara said in an emailed newsletter he had several issues with the committee.
“The Stewart administration, taking advantage of a Republican Council majority, seeks to eliminate neighborhood representation on the city council in favor of an all at large system that would replace the current 15-member council composed of two members from five council districts (wards) and five at large members,” McNamara said.
The email said State Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) is taking strong exception to Mayor Stewart’s move to end ward councillors and opposes the call for charter change to eliminate neighborhood representation on the Council. At the same time Sanchez linked the charter proposal to a plan drafted by Republican Registrar Peter Gostin to eliminate polling places in his district.
“I’m very disturbed but not surprised that Republicans would try to suppress the vote by their attempts to close polling places and now, in particular, by opening the charter to eliminate the ward system,” said Sanchez. “In the past, the at large system did not reflect the diversity of our city. With the ward system not only do we have a more diverse council, we also have city wide representation. It is my hope that the people of New Britain will see the injustice and make their voices heard in the coming days and months.”
McNamara also added “Mary Pokorski (a municipal employee whose job security undoubtedly depends on agreeing with Team Stewart) about one if the Democratic members of the commission.
At the Council meeting Wednesday night Republican Aldermen defended the commission saying it was a Democratic process.
“The charter hasn’t been opened since I believe 2000 so there are a lot of parts of the charter that need refreshing and updating,” said Ald. Jamie Giantonio. “This (vote) allows us to form the committee. There is a process this goes through. There are public hearings. When it comes back to the City, there are many opportunities for residents to speak their mind. There are some items that the commission is being asked to specifically look at, but once you open the charter, you open the whole charter.”
He said the committee will look at other things as well.
“We want to allow the committee to do the research and come up with their own findings rather than guiding them to something,” Giantonio added. “We want to ensure minority representation. There is nothing about getting away from a ward system. We want the committee to come back with what they see fit.”
The decisions by the committee and approved by the Council will go to a resident vote in November to let residents approve or disapprove of them..
“The charter has been around a long time and every once in a while we have to take a look at it. It’s a Democracy and an opportunity for the people to be involved,” said Ald. Daniel Salerno. “Community involvement will be there for everyone.”
“This is Democracy at it’s finest,” said Ald. Kristian Rosado. “When it comes time to vote, you can vote for it or against it.”
“The final decision will be made by the people and not this Council,” added Jim Sanders Jr.
The final Council vote to form the commission passed 10-3 along party lines.
