Groton – An 11-member charter revision commission has been appointed to look at the structure of Groton’s government and recommend possible changes, including whether the town should have a budget referendum.

Commissioners can look at any issue, but the Town Council asked about specific topics the commission must report back on, including whether the town clerk should be appointed or elected, whether the Representative Town Meeting has too many members and whether Groton should have a budget referendum. Under Groton's current structure, budget referendums are not held.

"I know a charter can be used to benefit the community and to curtail power," said Daniel Mello, a high school principal appointed Tuesday to the commission. "It works both ways. Obviously, I want it to benefit the community."

The charter serves as the law of the town and sets up the government to manage its affairs. Groton's charter outlines the powers of the Town Council, Representative Town Meeting and the Board of Education, along with the duties of the town manager and the process for deciding how money will be spent and borrowed.

“It’s been brought up by people in the community, and it was loud and clear" during the last election season that people want the charter reviewed, Mayor Bruce Flax said.

“For me personally, it’s a way for me to run information from the charter through a washing machine," Flax said. "To let it go through a couple of cycles, to let people look at it, give their ideas and see what comes out.”

The council appointed commission members on Tuesday, and the group will meet for the first time at 6 p.m. Monday in the Town Hall Annex.

"That's why we wanted a balanced commission. There are certain people who are pro (budget) referendum, those who don't want it changed and others who are learning about the government for the first time," Flax said. The commission includes former mayors, former town councilors, those who work in other towns but live in Groton and those who work in the private sector.

The 11 members are: Mello, the principal of E.C. Goodwin Technical High School in New Britain; Kathy Chase, director of contracts at Senior Resources Agency on Aging; Scott Aument, an employee at Millstone Power Station and co-founder of Groton Advocates for Tax Efficiency; Jane Dauphinais and Dee Hauber, former Groton mayors; Robert Frink and Patrice Granatosky, former Groton town councilors; Rosanne Kotowski, an employee of the Town of Ledyard and co-founder of Groton Advocates for Tax Efficiency; Brandon Marley, a lawyer and Groton RTM member; Darcy Peruzzotti, who worked in town government in New York, and Jennifer Lobrin White, who works for Prudential Financial in Hartford.

“I just want to volunteer to ensure that the town remains healthy and feasible and provides a good living environment,” said White of her reasons for volunteering.

The commission will choose its own chairperson and vice chairperson, review the charter and send its report and any recommended changes to the Town Council in 18 months.

d.straszheim@theday.com