City Charter Changes To Be Discussed At Library

Progressive To Sponsor Forum On Referendum Questions

NEW BRITAIN – An open forum on two ballot questions asking for significant changes to the City Charter will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the New Britain Public Library, 20 High Street.

On November 8th city voters will decide on Question 2 whether to eliminate at-large representation on the Common Council in favor of 15 aldermanic seats to be elected from the five wards under the minority representation law. Question 3 asks for a yes or no vote on recommendations to create a chief operating officer in the Mayor’s office and appoint the Town and City Clerk and Tax Collector instead of electing candidates to those municipal offices. Question 3 also includes other changes including mandating a review of the charter every five years.

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Donald DeFronzo, the Governor William O’Neill Chair Holder on Public Policy at Central Connecticut State University, will share his perspective at the forum. DeFronzo, a former state commissioner and state senator, served as Mayor from 1989 to 1993. Also making a presentation will be John McNamara, a contributing writer to the New Britain Progressive and former Democratic Town Committee Chair who has previously served city government as Chair of the Board of Assessment Appeal and the Building Commission.

The forum is open to the public and will include audience questions as part of the program. The New Britain Progressive, a six-year-old online community newspaper, is sponsoring the event. For further information email: [email protected].