CROMWELL - If the Cromwell charter passes the way the review commission currently envisions it, Town Councilors will see their term lengths adjusted.

       The current proposal calls for staggered four year terms for Councilors. Right now, members serve for two years at a time and run for election simultaneously.

       The Charter Revision Commission consensus is to change the model to have around half the Council take four year terms, with the others serving for two. The durations would then switch in the next election cycle.

       Mayor Enzo Faienza, who had recommended that the Commission examine the change, said that he proposed the adjustment because he felt that it would enable the Council to get things done more efficiently.

       â€�"Every two years you can potentially have a complete change, and it can be tough to have consistency,” Faienza said during a phone conversation. â€�"You’re in for a year, and the next thing you know, it’s time for reelection. It’s not that you’re not focused on the town, but it does take time away.”

       A longer term also gives new Councilors a time to catch up to the curve, said Charter Commission Chair Mike Camilleri.

       â€�"People can learn their way and be more effective,” he said. â€�"We’d only be replacing half the Council [at a time] so there’s some continuity.”

       Councilor Al Waters had different thoughts on the proposed change. He advocated the retention of the current two-year term structure.

       â€�"Every two years a Town Council person can be voted out, and a new one voted in, which is fine,” Waters said over the phone.

       He also felt that a longer term length could deter some candidates.

       â€�"[Four years is] kind of a hard commitment to get [from someone],” Waters said. â€�"I know they’re trying to streamline things, but maybe they’re trying to streamline things too much.”

       Faienza disagreed.

       â€�"I don’t see any issue with that [commitment] at all,” he said. â€�"Whether it’s two years or four years, if somebody has it in their heart to serve, I don’t think that’s going to make a difference.