The Public Golf Course Commission was formed by an Ordinance adopted by the Town Council on September 19, 2017.

Golf Course Commission Membership - OnBoard

Golf Course Commission Membership - Updated March 2024

Chapter II

Article 2, Part J, - Public Golf Course Commission

Sec. 2-190.  Establishment.

There shall be and is hereby created, in the Town of Berlin, a Public Golf Course Commission hereinafter referred to as the Commission.

(Ord. No. 06-17, 9-19-2017; Ord. No. 01-18, 2-20-2018; Section No. changed 03-17-2020)

Sec. 2-191.  Definitions. 

The following definitions shall apply to Sec. 2-193 through Sec. 2-194 herein:

• “Fiscal year” means the fiscal year of the Town of Berlin beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of every year.
• “Golf course” refers to Timberlin Golf Course, owned by the Town of Berlin including, without limitation, any and all of the following as they relate to any such Public Golf course: land, rights and interests in land; rights of way, approaches and contract rights; office(s) and other buildings and facilities; paved areas; access roads; garages, parking lots and other parking structures; furnishings, equipment and apparatus; all other structures, facilities and improvements necessary and convenient to the development and maintenance of any such golf course and for the promotion and accommodation of any such golf course; and all other property (real, personal, mixed or otherwise), now or hereafter constructed or acquired, of or belonging to or pertaining to any such golf course.

(Ord. No. 06-17, 9-19-2017; Ord. No. 01-18, 2-20-2018; Section No. changed 03-17-2020))

Sec. 2-192.  Composition; appointment, removal, and term of members; annual meeting and election of officers.

The Public Golf Course Commission shall be composed of eight (8) resident electors of the Town.  Membership shall consist of at least one member from the men’s club, the seniors’ club,   the  ladies’ club, the lady niners club, and a non-golfer. All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Town Council and may be removed by the Town Council.  Each of the eight (8) members shall serve for a term of three (3) years, ending each January, with appointments staggered so that replacement/reappointments take place for no more than two (2) or three (3) members each year.  Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term by the Town Council. 

 Upon establishment, the Commission shall elect a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, and a Secretary from its members to serve until its first annual meeting.  Thereafter, each January, the Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman.   At the first meeting of its first full year, a Secretary will be hired to record the minutes of the meetings of the Commission.  The Commission shall schedule regular monthly meetings, which schedule shall be filed with the Town Clerk, designating the time and place thereof.  The agenda and minutes of all Commission meetings will be filed with the Town Clerk on a timely basis, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes.

(Ord. No. 06-17, 9-19-2017; Ord. No. 01-18, 2-20-2018; Section No. changed 03-17-2020; Ord. No. 2-2023 added membership)

Sec. 2-193.  Powers and duties; staff.

The Commission shall have the power to:

• Make and ensure enforcement of policies, rules, and regulations for the orderly play of golf and the operation of Timberlin Golf Course and attendant facilities, which rules and regulations shall be reviewed and approved by the Town Council;
• Provide input and recommendations to be used in the negotiations of all proposed contracts with any entity involved in the operation of the golf course and attendant facilities, to the Director of Golf and Town Manager; and
• Work with the Director of Golf to develop and prioritize alteration plans, renovations, and capital improvements based on available funds.

 The Commission shall submit reports to the Town Manager and/or the Town Council as may be requested from time to time.

 Staffing for the operation and maintenance of the golf course shall be provided for in the final Town Council approved budget, prepared and submitted by the Director of Golf to the Town Manager as his direct report.  The Commission will have reviewed the budget prior to submission to the Town Manager.

(Ord. No. 06-17, 9-19-2017; Ord. No. 01-18, 2-20-2018; Section No. changed 03-17-2020))

Sec. 2-194.  Budget; schedule of charges.

The Director of Golf shall prepare a fiscal year golf course expense budget, to the Town Manager containing his estimate of projected expenses.  The Commission will have reviewed the budget prior to submission to the Town Manager.

The Director of Golf will present a schedule of fees, rates, rentals, and charges for the ensuing calendar year, developed in concert with the Commission, to the Town Council for their  review and adoption at the first Town Council meeting in January.

The Golf Commission shall make annual revenue projections based upon its recommended rates and present such recommendations to the Town Manager.  The recommended rates shall be based upon the Commission’s analysis of market (including rates of nearby competitors) and play considerations and shall be set to maximize revenues for the golf course.  The Town Manager shall consider the recommendations of the Commission and present proposed rates to the Town Council for its review and action at a Town Council meeting in January.

The course financial performance will continue to be measured based on course revenues, expenses, and charges from other Town departments, e.g. Building Maintenance and Town Garage for in kind services needed at the golf course.

 (Ord. No. 06-17, 9-19-2017; Ord. No. 01-18, 2-20-2018; Ord. No. 04-20, 3-17-2020; Section No. changed 03-17-2020))

Adopted by Town Council April 4, 2023

Published April 10, 2023

Effective Date 30 days from Publication