The panel made the decision after more than an hour and a half of public input and council discussion. Republicans David Evans and Kari Drost voted against the measure.

Council chambers were packed with numerous speakers both in favor of and against the name change.

Some who spoke against the proposal made by Bob Zipadelli said Berlin Town Hall should retain that name as it represented the people of Berlin and not one particular person. Several speakers pointed out that since Powers had been convicted of a misdemeanor in the early 1980s and that a less prominent memorial would be more appropriate.

Powers gave a long detailed recollection of how he became a “target” in a state investigation that never proved any of the felony charges against him. “I’m an honest person,” he said.

Former Mayor Paul Argazzi and several other Republicans were among those protesting the name change. In a press release and at the meeting, Argazzi and others said the alleged corruption Powers was involved in made the change inappropriate.

Mayor Adam Salina along with the other Democrats on the council as well as several speakers in the audience said Powers had done much for the town and deserved the honor. “Art is Berlin,” Salina said.