Berlin Democrats release vision for a Better Berlin

BERLIN, CT – Berlin Democrats release vision for a Better Berlin.

Berlin Democrats have taken the initiative over the last year to gauge resident sentiment about our town’s direction. What we have learned is that Berlin residents are very frustrated by the lack of communication and vision from town hall; they feel confused, frustrated and at times betrayed about town leadership’s animosity towards parents, educators and students during budget season. The willful ignoring of voters during budget referendum (in particular after the 2nd referendum especially pertaining to the BOE budget vote); the lack of amenities when compared to nearby towns; and indifference to informing residents where taxes are going is leaving residents in the lurch.

Given these observations we're proposing a new blueprint for a better Berlin. Here are a few highlights:

- Having an engaged, conscientious and inclusive social media facility to reach connected residents and having an accessible liaison available to respond to residents. If government is like a startup that provides services, a good business must practice good customer service, and there are many areas where this can be improved.

Case in point: during the 1st budget referendum, on the day of the vote, the only posts from the town of Berlin were on their Facebook Page and it was about a fishing derby!

Better user of media generally will help keep residents in the loop.

- Create a list of planned capital projects for the town to improve or expand amenities and advertise it well. The community/senior center is a long promised project that has been little communicated and to date not delivered. What's more - the subcommittee for the project was restricted from public discussion about their process, which only adds to the demand for more transparent and communicative leaders.

- Implement a virtuous relationship between the board of finance, town council and the board of education. There exists distrust and animosity between the education board, council and finance. This leads to boe budget undercutting and opens the door for political gamesmanship. This past budget cycle saw the mayor and Republican finance members actually attack many parents for speaking up about the underfunded budget offers. Parents deserve a town council and board of finance that work together with the BOE not against them and will respect parents, educators and students. Parents want what is best for their kids and certainly don't deserve to be attacked when they ask questions.

- No one likes tax increases, but capital spending not backed by revenue could put the town on a precarious financial footing if we make this practice the norm.

- Adopt and approve cannabis retailers in town. This is a substantial revenue opportunity which hasn't been given very much discussion by town leaders. Furthermore, Berlin has entered into yet another moratorium on the issue, which prevents discussion to allow this business sector in town. The town has delayed introducing a survey of residents to gauge the interest of this business sector. Based on resident sentiment seen on social media and in private discussions with residents, we feel strongly that Berlin approves of this new business sector in town, whose tax revenue would enable a broader vision for town reinvestment and alleviate the tax burden on all of us, especially in our seniors citizens.

Based on our observations, conversations and feedback with Berlin citizens taken over the course of the previous winter, spring and summer, these are some of the action items for the town to be enacted under a newly elected democratic leadership.