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AVON TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 5, 2006
CALL TO ORDER
On a motion made by Mr. Zacchio, seconded by Mr. Shea, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council elect Mr. Woodford to serve as Acting Chairman until the Council Chairman arrives.
Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Chamber by Acting Chairman Woodford. Members present: Messrs Shea and Zacchio were in attendance.
PUBLIC HEARING
06/07-16 7:30 P.M. Acceptance of Land Lovely Street and
Northgate-Retention Basin and Appurtenances
The public hearing was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The Town Clerk read the call of the Public Hearing which reads as follows:
“TOWN OF AVON
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Avon, Connecticut will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, Selectmen’s Chamber, 60 West Main St., to consider the following:
To consider and permit all interested persons to speak on the plan of the Town Council
to accept on behalf of the Town of Avon, a parcel of land consisting of 0.892 acres on
a map entitled: “Whortleberry Hill Estates Subdivision”, May 1991 revision.
Copy of said map is on file in the Avon Town Clerk’s office and open to inspection during normal office hours.
Dated at Avon, Connecticut this 27th day of September, 2006.
Philip K. Schenck, Jr.
Town Manager”
The Town Manager reported this was not included in an earlier public hearing when it should have. It was caught when we knew the Water Company would be coming in to install their water line, and as part of the easement that we had given them, which was approved earlier, we required them to clean out this retention basin at the bottom of Northgate and Lovely Street. They came in to check for the boundaries, and we found out that we had not gone through the public hearing process on that part of it, so we are back here in essence correcting the record by accepting this. The Town Clerk reported strangely enough we did have a public hearing in 1991, we accepted 2 1/2 acres, however a decision was made later that about 1 3/4 acres be given to the Avon Land Trust, and we would keep the area that we were
interested in which was the basin area, but we never had a public hearing to isolate that one section consisting of 0.892 acres.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council accept on behalf of the Town of Avon a parcel of land from Harold Wheeler, consisting of 0.892 acres, located on Lovely Street and Northgate, including the retention basin and appurtenances.
Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
III. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING: August 28, 2006
September 5, 2006
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council approve the minutes of the August 28, 2006 meeting as read.
Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council approve the minutes of the September 5, 2006 meeting as read.
Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE - None
COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCIL
Mr. Zacchio reported he has two points he wants to make. At the last meeting we touched very briefly about the coyotes population, and he has heard around town a lot of concerns about coyotes. During the last few months people are becoming more and more concerned about populations and dens that they know of within the Country Club area, in and around the Horse Guard area and coyotes are becoming much more active. The residents want us to start thinking about whether or not there is a solution for that, as there is no known predator for coyotes in Connecticut. It is something that we need to think about in the future, because once all of the vermin are missing there are going to be domestic animals missing, and there already have been some attacks in that capacity. We need to either have
some solutions in mind or have the Town Manager come up with some things that other communities have come up with or tried when faced with this. The Town Manager reported we have Mr. McCahill, our Zoning Enforcement Officer, looking into bears and coyotes, and he has been in touch with the DEP, but has not been furnished with a report yet. He is still researching, hopefully we will have a report by next meeting. Acting Chairman Woodford reported it would be interesting to hear from the Police Department what the legal rights are of a homeowner, if in fact things get out of hand. Mr. Shea reported you cannot shoot within 500 feet of another house or a roadway. The Town Manager reported that is correct, which makes it very difficult.
Mr. Zacchio reported he has a son at Thompson Brook School, so he sees a lot of parents and there is usually a traffic backup and a lot of traffic at the Thompson Road and West Avon Road intersection, especially in the mornings and when the schools are getting let out. A number of parents asked him if there is any long term plan for that intersection, a plan to install light at some point. A Police Officer is usually directing traffic during the heavier times, but it seems like it is becoming a fairly consistent problem with the school there. If we, down the road, consider our M. H. Rhodes town property for any kind of development it may be something we have to consider. The Town Manager reported, just for informational purposes, there is in the capital improvement program and has been for a long
time an upgrade of the road from roughly the Thompson Brook School to the intersection. We did the Scoville Road area back in the 1980’s and we have had the other project in place for a long time on Thompson Road. If we do that project we can probably install turning lanes. The other option is to get a traffic signal in there. There are two options, we can have the State survey it and if they find there is sufficient traffic there to warrant a signal we pay 10% of the cost of the signal. If it does not warrant a traffic signal and we want to have a signal we can still probably put a signal in there but we would have to pay for the full cost of the signal including the ongoing maintenance of it. A new signal today, for a three way intersection, is probably going to cost around $75,000 to put in a signal ourselves, but pay only 10% if the State does, but we can initiate that.
Mrs. Hornaday arrived at the meeting.
The Town Manager reported in a related manner, he just had Police Chief Rinaldo update with the State the intersection of Country Club and West Avon Road because that has been one that we have been looking at for two or three years while waiting for the State to do their survey work. They completed their survey work, and the intersection does qualify now to be put on their list of projects, the problem is that there are 1,400 projects on the list. We have to try to get the project moved to a much higher level. The person in charge at the DOT, seems to think that it could move fairly rapidly up the list, so that probably within the next several years we should be in a position where they may be starting to do some design work and upgrading. That intersection would include widening basically all four
points of the intersection with turning lanes. He will have Chief Rinaldo check on the Thompson/West Avon Road situation.
Mr. Shea reported Mr. Zacchio makes an important point, he does not think that area can handle another school or another popular citizen meeting place, by that he does not mean fields, but if we were to put a library there or a school, Thompson Road with the traffic pattern cannot handle all that traffic.
OLD BUSINESS
05/06-42 Appointment: United CATV Advisory Council
Chairman Carlson arrived at 8:10 p.m., and assumed the Chair.
On a motion made by Mr. Zacchio, seconded by Mr. Shea, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council table the appointment to the next meeting.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Carlson, Shea, Woodford and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-02 Approve CIP Budget Schedule
Chairman Carlson reported he has a conflict, he cannot make November 16th, it was agreed to schedule the 15th. Mr. Shea reported make the two regular meetings on November 2nd and December 7th, to begin at 7:00 p.m. for budget items due to the regular agenda items.
On a motion made by Mr. Woodford, seconded by Mr. Shea, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council approve the Capital Budget Review Schedule for FY07/08 as follows:
November 2 Regular Town Council Meeting (7:00 p.m.)
Selectmen’s Chamber
7:45 p.m. Secret Lake Association
8:15 p.m. Police Department
8:45 p.m. General Government
November 15 Special Town Council Meeting (7:00 p.m.)
Selectmen’s Chamber
7:00 p.m. Recreation and Parks
7:45 p.m. Public Works
8:15 p.m. Engineering
December 7 Regular Town Council Meeting (7:00 p.m.)
Selectmen’s Chamber
7:30 p.m. Board of Education
8:30 p.m. Fire Department
8:45 p.m. Library
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Carlson, Woodford, Shea and Zacchio.
NEW BUSINESS
06/07-17 2007 CRCOG Legislative Policy Proposals – Dick Hines
Mr. Richard Hines reported he would like to talk on the Legislative proposals we are making to the CRCOG. We are one of 29 towns. Every year we give our recommendations, like we do to CCM and COST. CCM and COST generally go with issues very specific to the towns, but CRCOG, being a regional planning commission, looks at more of a regional approach for its high priority. In the 2006 listing there were three areas, one was on transportation which was very successful for us, and we want to get more incentives to do regional type work, like Avon does with Canton, wherever we can. The second concerns regional libraries, fire departments and such, the third one gets into community development items where CRCOG tries to help which he believes needs more emphasis on affordable supportive housing, which is the only
plan he has seen to help the homeless. The rest of the items are pretty consistent to what we have had in the past. There is one other item he would like to bring up, Public Safety. We want to continue with homeland security, and he would like to thank the Town Council for what they have done in making the Fire Chief’s position more important in that area. The three main projects, reconstruction of Route 44 Avon Mountain, Old Farms Bridge over Farmington River and Old Farms Road reconstruction.
Mr. Hines reported there is an additional item, support a camera on Route 44, our legislators do not support it this year as they believe our officers do a good job of controlling speed, however the DOT does support it this year. He would suggest we not support the camera idea, as we do not have legislators behind us. Mr. Woodford questioned whether this is a trial program we are going after. Mr. Hines reported yes, we are looking at just a trial program, that is what the legislation is for, to get this program set up for after the reconstruction on the top of the mountain. The Town Manager reported this is going to be post construction, but if it is approved and passed and the technology can be put in place quickly you can have some period of time prior to the construction. The whole
road will not be under construction at one time either, they are going to be doing it so there may be parts of it, and somebody would even say that even if you have lowered the speed limit to 25 miles an hour in the construction phase, you could use it during the construction phase in terms of monitoring that speed. There is no doubt that speeding is an issue in terms of the statistics that have already been gathered on that stretch of road from Mountain Road in West Hartford to Waterville Road. The issue is going to be whether we want to actively support the pilot program or not. Mr. Woodford reported speeding is an issue from West Hartford to New Hartford.
Mr. Zacchio reported he remembers when we had the presentation some months back, we asked several questions, but there were a number of questions that remained unanswered around the challenge to the technology, the administration of system and what portion of that was revenue for them, and how all that sorted out. As well as, recalling the data from the State, it was around 50% ratio of accidents on the Mountain that were related to either mechanical failure or speeding, of which he felt pretty comfortable that our Police Department was doing a good job of at least addressing the 50% that we could which was the speed enforcement part of it. He personally, and seeing that there is not a lot of support for it anyway, thinks that it is an uphill battle, as well as within our own community because he has
heard a lot of mixed reviews on whether or not that is an appropriate use of the technology or not. He did not think he supported it before and had not heard the answers to the questions that we asked, especially related around the firm we had in, as he recalls, had set up similar stretches of road in some other communities that it did not remain in place for a period of time, that it was effective for a short period of time and then plateaued and actually dropped off as an effective tool, as people got to know where it was, but no more effective than our own Police Department doing what they have been doing, and that was more on their presence on the Mountain which has helped a lot.
Mr. Shea reported the issue is that with the camera it is the car that gets the violation not the driver, and that posed some issues also as to someone loaning their car to someone, that person speeds the owner gets fined and gets put into the database. So there were some questions that were not answered and some issues that needed to be resolved. What we are talking about is safety, we all very concerned about safety, it is a speeding problem that we should try to look at all of the creative ways to just address the safety issue, of course the reconstruction of that road being first and foremost. It is not a bad idea, it just is not fine tuned enough to implement and not have some negative impacts as to the intrusion into peoples lives.
Mrs. Hornaday reported she does like the idea, but what has been said is probably the best approach for you to work behind the scenes. Many residents do like the idea, and think that it would be effective, but why ask CRCOG to spend a lot of time when there are so many issues that they have to maximize the use of other time and the use of their clout down at the State House. So for something that is going to be an uphill battle it does not seem like it is a good idea for us to ask them to do that now. If Mr. Hines can keep working at it as he has been, because she does know a lot of people are supportive of that. If the police stop you, they do not just walk up to your car, they are calling down and getting info on you, and whether or not there are warrants out, or other things on your cars.
The Town Manager reported it might be the type of thing that, it is a good idea, but it is not the right time now, we need to wait until after the construction is completed, then revisit it again at that point to see how effective it would be.
Mr. Woodford reported he is sort of ambivalent about the use of cameras, the items Mr. Hines suggested are fine, he is doing a great job.
On a motion made by Mrs. Hornaday, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council approve the 2007 CRCOG Legislative Policy Proposal recommendations as presented to be submitted to CRCOG on behalf of the Town of Avon.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-18 Bid Award: Environmental Remediation and Demolition
Towpath School and Transfer Appropriation
Mr. Woodford reported he was pleased to hear it was Manafort because it is a well respected company and has done a lot of business. Mr. Zacchio reported he one question on the two resolutions, one is $451,000, but the total bid is $515,000, is there a second resolution necessary. The Town Manager reported we already have money to cover the Capital Improvement Program this year as well, they total up to the total amount and the difference between the bid and the total is the other soft costs that are involved with it. Mrs. Hornaday reported with regard to the letter that we received from Mr. Willerup, regarding the cupola, we like the idea. The Public Works Director reported he will speak with the company selected to do the job, about taking the cupola down. Chairman Carlson reported he
believes that is wise, a survey should be done of the property to see if there is anything else of historical significance - - - have an employee check the area again. The Town Manager reported we can do that. One of the things that is interesting that we are looking for, and Mrs. LaMonica will be putting an announcement in the next Newsletter, is that the dedication bronze plaque is missing from when the building was dedicated. There is a spot on the wall where it was, we do not know where it is. Mrs. Hornaday reported it may be that they put it where they put the bell from Huckleberry Hill at Pine Grove to keep it safe, and the people who were on that building committee may remember where it was put, or the minutes may reflect it. The Town Clerk reported Mr. Eisenhauer may remember where it is, he was the project manager.
The Public Works Director reported some points of clarification based on our background discussion. he believes it can be done at no additional cost to get that copula on the ground for us. But he is not sure as to what extend we can say that we are preserving that and it is now off limits to the demolition contractor. The Town Manager reported essentially if someone gets up in there and it is all rotted, and we could not possibly get it off without it falling apart, then it becomes somewhat of a mute point. If on the other hand, it is reasonably structurally sound and it can be removed in whole as a whole thing, with some care. The Director reported he understands the sentimental value, and the architectural value of a former public building, so he is looking for approval to ask Manafort Brothers to do
it. He reported we have a contingency but he normally uses some of that contingency with a change order, and that alternate bid, if there is asbestos in the firebox lining of the second boiler, but that would leave $3,500. There was a consensus of the Town Council to save the copula if it makes sense. Mr. Zacchio reported if it is found that it cannot be saved, a picture should be taken of it, have it framed and hung in the Town Hall.
On a motion made by Mr. Woodford, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council favorably recommends to the Board of Finance an appropriation not to exceed $451,820 from Account #02-0390-43923, Capital Projects Fund ( Facil. & Equip) Other Financing Sources, Fund Bal. Res. Land Acq./Pres. to Account #02-4848-53052, Capital Projects Fund (Facil & Equip), Town CIP-Facil/Land Acquisition Preservation, Towpath School Demolition Project for the purpose of hazardous material removal and demolition at the Towpath School.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Carlson, Shea, Woodford and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-19 Service Agreement Approval; Farmington Valley A.R.C. Inc.
The Town Manager reported basically this is a long standing agreement that we have had with what was known as FAVARH, and now is known as Farmington Valley ARC, Inc. This is basically for diagnostic services for children for special needs that want to participate in our Recreation Programs. It is a regional program that we share the costs with other communities, primarily Farmington and Simsbury. He would recommend that we renew the contract as outlined in the memo.
On a motion made by Mr. Zacchio, seconded by Mrs. Hornaday, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to sign on behalf of the Town of Avon the renewal of the Service Agreement with Farmington Valley A.R.C. Inc. to provide diagnostic services to special needs individuals in the Town of Avon, at a base quarterly fee of $1,200.00. for September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-20 Resignation: Natural Resources Commission (Scott Lewis)
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mrs. Hornaday, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council accept with regret the resignation of Scott F. Lewis from the Natural Resources Commission.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-21 Appointment: Natural Resources Commission
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council appoint Barbra G. Chester to serve on the Natural Resources Commission for a remainder of term to expire December 31, 2008.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-22 Review and Discussion: Town Council Policy No. 1 Flag Lowering
The Town Manager reported essentially we have a policy that was adopted back in 1968 about the flag lowering, but what has happened, with the recent events in Iraq is that there has been pronouncements from the Governor’s Office, basically saying that all flags should be flown at half mast until the funeral is complete. Our policy is really not in sync with that, and he needs some guidance from the Council as to whether you want to change it to have it integrated with the Governor’s approach, then we can just revise this, it is not a major item. Mr. Woodford reported so every time there is a new governor it could be changed. The Town Manager reported theoretically it could change, yes. Mr. Zacchio reported who tracks the timing around that. The Town Manager reported we get
pronouncements from the Governor’s Office, by e-mail, that in honor of the individual’s name she is requesting that all flags be flown at half mast. He forwards those e-mails over to the Buildings and Grounds Department who takes appropriate action with the flag poles we have, at Town Hall and the Landfill. The schools are on their own, we have not been integrated with theirs. Mr. Shea reported but no matter what policy we have, the Town Council can do as they like. The Town Manager reported certainly, because this relates to Town Officials as well.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council approve that the Town honor the Governor’s pronouncement regarding flag lowering for casualties of Iraq and still maintain the local policy of lowering the flags for Town Officials.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Woodford, Shea and Zacchio voted in favor.
06/07-23 Approval of Town Manager’s Appointment for Town Clerk
The Town Manager reported under the provisions of the Town Charter (Sec 7.5.1) (a) “the Town Manager, with the approval of the Town Council shall appoint, for an indefinite term and may remove: (a) A Tax Collector; (b) A Town Clerk”. I am asking for your approval to appoint Ann Dearstyne, to the position of Town Clerk, effective 01/01/07 and Assistant Town Clerk effective 11/15/06. Bill Vernile’s memo enclosed outlines the process we followed to our recommendation.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mrs. Hornaday, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council approve the appointment of Ann L. Dearstyne as Avon Town Clerk, as recommended by the Town Manager, effective January 1, 2007.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Carlson, Shea, Woodford and Zacchio voted in favor.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT/MISCELLANEOUS
The Town Manager reported we had an e-mail from Jay Willerup who suggested we construct some type of historical marker on the site of the Towpath School and possibly use the cupola at the top of the building for a kiosk of some kind. Both ideas had a lot of merit, we do not have to make a decision this evening, obviously they involve money, but if we are going to go ahead and demolish the school, the Director of Public Works is going to need some guidance as to whether we want to save the cupola to see if it would work. The Public Works Director reported he has not been up there, the actual area of the cupola has been nailed closed. The Town Manager questioned whether it is the type of thing that a crane or something could remove it, and reconstructed as a kiosk someplace. The Public Works Director
reported certainly it could be preserved, it is just a matter of how it would need to be removed, what is involved in removing it. He will give it a good look to see if he can come up with some ideas, or have someone look at it. Mr. Shea questioned how high is it off the ground. The Director reported maybe 35 to 40 feet, perhaps a tree truck with bucket could remove it. There is a local tree service, the owner has offered to donate his services to get it down for us, he lives in Town and offered his time and services. The Town Manager reported Fire Engine II, the Ladder Truck which we have used in the past might be able to do it. Mr. Woodford reported it is not a job for amateurs, it is a bigger job than you might think, but it is something that you should look into, a lot of people will be interested in saving that. The Town Manager reported if you are onboard, then we will go ahead and will contact the person who offered his services and see
what we can do, then come back with a design and some preliminary cost estimates, at least for a historical marker of some kind. The Director reported we could ask the low bidder for demolition, to invite him back to look at this to see if something such as a change order or additional cost for them to lower it to the ground, we certainly could take it once it is lowered onto a truck and store it, to protect it and hold it, if we raze the building by December. Mr. Shea reported he would suggest that Jeanne Parker be involved, she has been involved right along and she would be a classy touch to this whole thing.
The Town Manager reported the next item is the Secret Lake water line installation question. He will be meeting tomorrow with the leadership of the Secret Lake Association and then potentially going to a board meeting next Tuesday night to discuss the estimates that we have received from both the Water Company and our Engineering Department. The total estimate comes out to about $1,750,000, and there is some contingencies included. There is going to have to be some right-of-way acquisition which is not included in that cost. Both the Town’s and the Water Company’s estimates are only good through the end of this calendar year, and obviously if we were to move ahead with the project things probably would not start until next summer, so the estimates may have to be updated. There are
no soft costs included in those estimates, by soft costs he means if we have to go to a referendum, if we have to bond, get legal opinions, right-of-way acquisitions, surveying work. On the very conservative side he figures it is going to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 million dollars to do that whole project. Now without these soft costs we have a cost of about $1,750,000, there are about 125 homes that would be affected and with an assessment of probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,600 to $7,700, and then a hook up cost if they are going to hook to the system of $2,500 to $2,700. Mr. Woodford reported that is a great deal of money. The Town Manager reported we are talking gross of about $10,500 for a property owner to have the system in the ground and have it hooked up to their property. Once they get these figures, which we will be discussing tomorrow afternoon, they will have to reconsider whether they still want to go ahead
with the project or not. They are aware that the Town Attorney has to be consulted, he has done this type of program for us a few years ago when we did this program in Lakeview. There will have to be a vote of the Secret Lake Association. Their Attorney and our Town Attorney would have to agree on the resolutions, so there is quite a bit of work to be done if we are going to move ahead. The Town Council should know roughly what the costs are, as we get into the capital improvement season here, and these things are going to be revisiting us.
Mr. Woodford reported it may be premature, but would they have to pay that in lump sum, or how would that be. The Town Manager reported usually what we have done is given them three options, and the statutes basically mirror these, there is obviously the lump sum payment that you make to pay the whole thing, there is usually an installment payment that is tied into the interest rate and we can set with the interest rates of the bonds, the Town Council has the authority to set the interest rate and the duration of the installments so it could be five years or ten years. Usually if you have a bond issue though, it mirrors the bond issue, in terms of length of the bond issue and the interest rate that you charge on the unpaid balance. A lien is put on the property, if you elect the installment method,
and usually when the property turns over it is obviously paid off at the time. The third option is for those people over 65 and that meet the income guidelines, they can defer any payment at all, but again a lien is put on their property, interest is charged and at some time down the road when the property is transferred there is a payment made to the Town on it, so there is that type of deferral. They are not required to hook into the system, but they are required to pay the assessment, so that if you have it running by your house and you are not having it hooked up, you are still going to, under this scenario, probably pay $7,000 to $7,500, and again you can elect these options.
The Town Manager reported other news, we anticipate shortly that Hartford Hospital may be coming in with a building application for a 17,000 square foot medical office building between Arden Courts and Route 10, on the north side of the intersection. That is an interesting development, that they feel they want to expand, it will primarily be an oncology center, so that people do not have to go into Hartford for their radiation treatments. Mr. Shea reported it is a proposed project and Castle Construction is going to be the building contractor.
The Town Manager reported with regard to the Pie Plate property, the person that was going to build the old fire station look-a-like car wash, he and Howard Jester, the son of Martin Jester who owns the Caldor/WalMart Plaza, have finally come to some type of agreement on rebuilding that intersection. The entrance way to the Pie Plate property will be closed, there will be a right hand turn lane to go into the shopping center heading easterly. The driveway will be widened and that looks like it will be moving ahead. Chairman Carlson reported that is such a visible place, do we have any say in what it looks like. The Town Manager reported Planning & Zoning is doing that.
The Town Manager reported we received an anonymous gift of $10,000 today from a family foundation based in Avon, for the Avon Special Needs Fund. The Town Council stated unanimously that was a wonderful gift.
The Town Manager reported this is a little different than what he has asked for in the past, but we have a retiring Town Clerk of 45 years who has a lot of information and what he would like to do is to experiment a little here and get your permission to explore the possibility of getting some of her knowledge and history and everything down in a recording format so that we have that for our own use in terms of procedures and such, but also the Historical Society will have some of that. He is looking for the Town Council’s concurrence to take this out of contingency if he finds something, in the neighborhood of a few thousand dollars to do all of this. It is something that we are kind of developing, it is the first time, but he would hate to lose the 45 years of experience. It was the consensus
of the Town Council to permit the recording of some of the history, and the use of contingency.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation/Negotiation
On a motion made by Mr. Woodford, seconded by Mr. Shea, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council go into Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. to discuss Land Negotiations.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Carlson, Shea, Woodford and Zacchio voted in favor.
On a motion made by Mr. Zacchio, seconded by Mrs. Hornaday, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council come out of Executive Session at 9:30 p.m.
Mrs. Hornaday, Messrs Carlson, Shea, Woodford and Zacchio voted in favor.
ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
Caroline B. LaMonica
Town Clerk
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