We have a budget referendum; however, when citizens do not approve the budget, the Town Council customarily has dismissed our vote. Is that not insulting to the citizens of Berlin? Is that democratic?
Perhaps it is time to change our Town Charter to require the citizens approval of the Town's annual budget. Other towns in Connecticut have imposed this requirement upon their Town's elected officials to control taxes. So why should not we have the final say about our Town's budget and spending of our tax dollars? After all, is it not our money? Are not we entitled to have a real voice in the process?
Also, if we do decide to change our Town Charter, there may be other changes to consider, including the following:
- Citizen authority to recall elected and appointed officials through a referendum.
- Citizen's approval of a precise and specific code of ethics which clearly defines unethical conduct and conflicts of interest applicable to all elected and appointed municipal officials and public sector employees.
- Term limits for elected and appointed municipal officials.
- Returning to a mayor form of government and eliminating a bureaucratic town manager without term limits and direct accountability to the Town's citizens, and perhaps with allegiance to one political party.
We are certain that you as a good citizen could think of other changes to our Town Charter. We welcome your input.
Let's make Berlin an affordable Town in which to live. Join the Berlin Property Owners Association today to control property taxes in Berlin. We need your involvement to make positive and constructive changes in our community.
Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)
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berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com
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