By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Per a motion made and approved last week, Berlin Mayor and Council meetings will now begin at 6 p.m., moving up an hour from the previously established start time of 7 p.m.

Councilmember Steve Green suggested modifying the time at which meetings begin at the Berlin Town Council’s Tuesday, Nov. 12, meeting, arguing it would be more beneficial to start and end earlier. Last week’s meeting began at 6 p.m. rather than 7 p.m. due to a robust agenda.

“I would like a 6 p.m. start,” he said. “I would like us to consider that.”

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall was receptive to Green’s recommendation of an adjusted Town Council meeting launch time, confirming he was “open to it.”

“Keep in mind, a lot of these folks get in early, then have to stay late,” he continued. “It’s a long day.”

However, not all assemblies will have the privilege of starting an hour early. The meeting immediately following the municipality’s council election will maintain the original start time. Tyndall said the town’s charter specifies that the gathering must kick off at 7 p.m.

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen noted that Berlin is due to update its election code and that the amendment that determined the start of the post-election meeting may be changed during that process.

Still, the council and staff members in attendance were enthusiastic about the prospective change. Per the unanimously passed motion, all regular meetings of the Berlin Mayor and Council will now move up an hour to begin at 6 p.m. Executive gatherings, or closed sessions, which Tyndall said are held sparingly, will start at 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. as needed.