City Council

~AD HOC REPORT~ Elected Officials’ Compensation Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Chairman Joseph Britton called the meeting to order at 6:01pm on March 24, 2026. Present were Committee Members Holly Robinson and Mike Henry. From the City were Roberto Alves, Mayor; Farley Santos, Economic and Community Development Advisor; Dan Casagrande, Corporation Counsel. Ex Officio members present were: Duane Perkins, Candace Fay, Mike Flanagan, Peter Buzaid, John Laughinghouse, Paul Rotello, Ben Chianese, Lou Girodano, Frank Salvatore and LaPine. From the public were John Neumuller, Geoff Herald, Al Robinson, Isabel Almeida, Deborah McCarry, Michael Safranek, and Daniel Jowdy. Chair Britton provided an overview of the purpose of the ad hoc and resolution; including the initiation of Charter Revision and the recommended membership of the Commission. Chair Britton spoke on the last review of the Charter in 2009 and stated that he believes it is long overdue. Member Robinson asked about language in the City Charter regarding reviewing the Charter every ten years (2019); Chair Britton confirmed that multiple requests to review have been made but were voted down. Member Robinson spoke in favor of the opportunity to review the Charter. Member Henry identified City Charter Section 8-10 and General State Statute 7-188 which provide a process for opening Charter Revision. He spoke against two steps taking place in one resolution and asked Corporation Counsel if the resolution can be split into two parts to first initiate, followed by the presentation of commission membership; Chair Britton noted that the language in the presented resolution first initiates Charter Revision, and then confirms the members. Mr. Casagrande confirmed that statues do not restrict the process or steps from taking place at the same meeting or at the same time; he explained that the Council has the right to divide the resolution / questions when it is presented for a vote. Chair Britton reiterated that the presented resolution is following the process sequence by paragraph within the one resolution, and noted that by including multiple steps in one resolution, the two parts will need an approval of 2/3 votes. Mr. Rotello spoke on the need to keep the initiation and the commission membership separate; he further suggested that the questions be split when the Council votes on the resolution. He explained that the public and Council need to be able to review and speak on the proposed membership. Mr. Chianese agreed that there are areas in the Charter that need to be updated, and some things that they may want to change. He also agreed that the resolution should be split. Mr. Flanagan spoke on the possibility of requiring Charter Revision every five years. Ms. Fay spoke on the need for two resolutions, and believes that the paragraph order in which they appear in the one resolution does not meet state statute requirements; she also supports the Council and public having a say on who is on the commission. Ms. LaPine spoke on the importance of opening Charter Revision. Mr. Laughinghouse agrees that the Charter should be open for review, and spoke on the importance of not pushing the opportunity to update the Charter down the road. Mr. Coelho spoke in favor of opening Charter Revision but supports splitting the resolution. Mr. Giordano spoke in support of initiating Charter Revision. Chair Britton provided bios of the individuals named in the resolution, and opened discussion regarding the membership. Member Robinson spoke on the need to be provided with party affiliation and bios in advance of the ad hoc meeting, and asked for more information about why these members were chosen, how they were vetted, and if they understand the ethical obligation that they are being asked to perform. Chair Britton confirmed that the membership names were provided to the committee and public when the meeting was noticed, providing time for everyone to vet the names. Member Henry discussed how splitting the process would allow the public more time to vet the membership; and suggested that the final Charter Revision be presented to the voters at a referendum, not as a question on a regular election ballot. Chair Britton spoke on other municipalities that have completed Charter Revision within a year. Mr. Rotello expressed his concerns with a quick timeline for the review process, and reiterated his concern with the initiation and membership being voted on together. He noted that the Chair, who is named as a member, should recuse himself from the vote. He asked that the Ad Hoc Chair take others opinions into consideration when deciding if the resolution should be amended. Mr. Rotello asked to vet the members by being given the opportunity to speak with them. Mr. Duane Perkins asked that the resolution be divided, and that the Council have a say in who is on the Commission. Ms. Fay expressed her concerns with not being provided party affiliation of the members and that they should have more time to vet the membership. Ms. LaPine asked if the Charter provides a process for choosing the membership; Chair Britton explained that the Charter refers to state statute. Mr. Chianese reiterated his request to split the question so that they can vote on the membership separately. Mr. Coelho asked that the process not be rushed and asked how the members were chosen; Mayor Alves confirmed that the Mayor’s Office provided the names based on their representation of the community; he identified the party affiliation of each member, and noted the bi-partisan makeup of the membership. Mr. Coelho asked for the membership bios. Mr. Buzaid spoke on his experience having served on a Charter Revision Commission in the past and identified the following as key requirements; a commitment, knowledge, and willingness to learn, and the ability to show up for the meetings; which he believes this membership has. He spoke on the opportunity for the Council and public to offer input during the process. He supports this resolution to initiate Charter Revision. Mr. Laughinghouse spoke on the opportunity for the Council to review reports prior to its presentation to the voters. Mr. Giordano asked for clarification on the selection of the membership; Chair Britton explained that the Council can reject or add to the presented membership, he noted that this list is the Mayor’s recommendation of membership as a slate. Mr. Giordano explained that he trusts the Mayor to have recommended the membership that he feels is best suited to serve, and that he supports the resolution as presented. Member Robinson asked for clarification of the actions that are included in this resolution and if amendments can be made and voted on, on the floor; Mr. Casagrande confirmed the resolution can be amended. Mr. Flanagan spoke on the need to not wait any longer to update the Charter. Mr. Duane Perkins asked about the amendment process of the resolution at the Council meeting; Chair Britton and Mr. Casagrande confirmed that a resolution can be amended with small or substantial changes. Member Robinson asked about conflict of interest with regards to the Chair being named in the resolution; Mr. Casagrande confirmed there is no conflict. Member Robinson asked for additional communication from the Mayor’s Office to address questions regarding the selection of the membership; she also stated that based on the state statute, the actions for Charter Revision can be taken at the same time. Mr. Rotello asked that the resolution state that the membership is subject to amendment by the Council. He expressed his concern with all of the membership not attending this meeting. Mr. Salvatore asked that their attendance tonight not be used against those who may not have been able to attend tonight. He spoke to the process in 2007 and noted that there is time through this process to also review and ask questions; he urged the Council to initiate Charter Revision. Ms. Fay asked for additional members to be added to the Commission seeing as it allows for up to fifteen members, she also spoke to the conflict of interest of the Ad Hoc Chair being named as a member of the Commission. Chair Britton asked counsel what constitutes a conflict of interest; Mr. Casagrande explained that a conflict of interest is when an individual has a financial benefit, or a personal interest that contradicts the public’s best interest. Mr. Chianese asked about increasing the membership count and if there are other names that should be considered at this time; Mr. Casagarande explained that the state statute is vague, with no specific language for later appointments to the Commission. Mr. Chianese asked that Corporation Counsel further review this subject and provide a final answer at the Council meeting. Member Robinson noted that no one person has been identified as being inadequate to serve and no new names have been presented, therefore she moved forward with a motion. A motion was made by Member Robinson, and seconded by Chair Britton, to recommend to the City Council that it adopt the resolution as presented; and as indicated in the resolution before the committee that the following occur; 1. The process of charter revision is initiated; 2. That the nine persons indicated in the resolution are appointed to serve as members of the Charter Revision Commission; 3. The Charter Revision Commission shall consider any and all revisions to the Charter that it deems necessary or desirable; and 4. That the Charter Revision Commission shall submit a draft report to the City Council not later than sixteen months from the date of appointment of the Charter Revision Commission. Yes – 2, No – 1 (Henry), The motion carried. Member Henry asked for a procedural point of clarification on the motion; he asked if the initiation will be presented to the Council separately from the membership; Chair Britton confirmed that the resolution will be presented without any changes. Member Henry spoke on the need to have time to vet the proposed Commission membership, and reiterated that the multiple resolution process used by previous attempts to open Charter Revision; he again clarified that he is not in favor of it being presented as one resolution. Chair Britton urged anyone with any questions or concerns about the membership to reach out to the Mayor. He spoke to the legality of the process being done this way, and that it does follow state statute requirements. Member Henry asked Corporation Counsel if a new precedent is being established by doing it this way, and if the Council is acting outside of the general statutes; Mr. Casagrande explained that this process is not binding to any future Commissions and that this process is not outside of the statues. Mayor Alves noted that everyone seems to agree that Charter Revision is needed. A motion was made by Member Robinson, and seconded by Member Henry, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:27p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joseph Britton, Chair; Holly Robinson and Mike Henry