AVON TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
May 5, 2011
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Avon Town Hall, in the Selectmen's Chamber by Chairman Zacchio. Members present: Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Shea, Pena, and Evans.
II. PUBLIC HEARING - None
III. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING: April 6, 2011 Special Meeting
April 7, 2011
Mr. Evans requested a clarification on the second page, second line which should read that, “Mr. Evans stated that presently we know that the boiler……” He also commented on the next paragraph, second page as he never understood that Council had to accept the Board of Finance’s request to reduce our budget; he thought that the Board of Finance had said they were going to reduce our budget by the stated amount and they asked us to go back and decide how we were going to allocate that between capital and operating budget. He didn’t really understand that it was a request and does not think that the Board of Finance ever really conferred with us in a way that they didn’t ask our opinion just that this is the number that they were talking about reducing the municipal side
of the budget and that we went back and discussed how that would be allocated. Chairman Zacchio responded that it is meant in terms of how we were going to break up. Mr. Shea added that the Board of Finance was also asking us to come back and comment; it is really not accepted and not even done until they vote and they do not vote until we come back with the additional reductions. He understands Mr. Evan’s point but he thinks in terms of what we have done for decades, the Board of Finance suggests and tells us what the cut is and asks us to talk about it and come back and see what we think and they will decide. He commented that history has shown that this Council and those of the past have accepted it and tried to do the best they could and on occasion we have questioned the cut but have tried to come to a consensus after that conversation. Mr. Evans reported that it is really just a matter of the wording and not what the end result it; we
definitely ended up agreeing to the remaining content of that paragraph in that $150,000 for the fire truck was eliminated from the capital budget and $62,000 from the operating budget. Chairman Zacchio requested that the first sentence of that paragraph being stricken.
On a motion made by Mrs. Samul, seconded by Mr. Pena, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council accept the April 6, 2011 Special Meeting minutes as amended.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Pena, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council accept the April 7, 2011 minutes as submitted.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea and Pena voted in favor. Mr. Evans abstained.
IV. COMMUNICATION FROM AUDIENCE
Leonard Tolisano, Captain on the Major Commandant staff with the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard. He reported that the Major sends his greetings and is presently awarding certificates to members of the troop at their Post who have just completed the first course of a Search and Mounted Rescue Unit and they will be the first unit of this type in the State of Connecticut. He also spoke on the Major’s behalf and saying that they greatly appreciate all of the support this Town Council has given to the Horse Guard in our recent troubles as you are probably aware that the budget passed on Tuesday and includes a provision that both Horse Guards, Avon’s which was chartered by the legislature in 1788 and the second unit in Newtown chartered in 1808 will remain in place, that their budgets will
remain the same as they were in the previous fiscal year; that is a biennial budget so they are assuming that will mean that for the next two years they will be ok. He reported that they do not know what the future will bring but they will be working to ensure that they will be better prepared for anything that happens in the future. He reported that many of the troopers that communicated with residents in the Town of Avon, either by passing out literature or receiving communication through the telephone or the e-mails, there were literally hundreds of people in Avon that communicated with us and subsequently communicated with their Elected Officials and all of the members of the Governor’s staff that were involved in the process and he thinks to a person they were supportive of the Horse Guard and they are very, very grateful that occurred; many of them did not realize how important the Horse Guard was to the citizens of Avon. He reported that there were
three people that worked very, very hard and wanted to recognize them as well and they are: Senator Witkos, Representative LeGeyt, and Representative Becker as they really worked like a combat team in that legislature as he understands it to work to get them to move off the position that they came out initially with which was to basically move the First Company down to Newtown which would have been a total disaster in terms of Avon and for all of us them as well as it would make it impossible for them to participate in the Horse Guard and many of them have been there for a few years and some longer, for example one member on the Staff who joined the Horse Guard before WWII. He wanted to make sure that they communicated to Council their sincere thanks for everything that you have done and through you to the people of Avon for all of their support.
He also reported that he is a member of Avon Historical Society and we, after trying for four years, have finally leased the old Horse Guard barn on West Avon Road from the State of Connecticut. He reported that unfortunately in that four years the slight water damage has escalated into tremendous water damage in the building. He reported that they had applied for an initial $5,000 grant from one of the local historic groups to tarp the roof, keep the water out, and to do an engineering study; they were confident that they would get that amount, but unfortunately they did not so now they are going to be doing some very rapid scrambling to get $5,000 to be able to do that work before winter breaks on us again. He reported that the good news is that they were able to get the barn and has been leased for
thirty-five years; like the Derrin House that they got from the Department of Military sixteen years ago their intention is to restore it to its original condition actually prior to the Horse Guard acquiring it. He reported that they are very anxious to save this barn and also anxious to save all the barns in Avon by encouraging people to do whatever they need to do to keep those buildings in good shape. He reported that they will perhaps be back before Council with further word on the process of that application. He closed by saying again that we thank you very much, we thank our representatives for all of the work they did, we thank all of the people in Avon for everything they did in terms of e-mails, letters, postcards, and personal calls because we think it made the difference. He reported that it is one thing for the group that is under the axe to say save us but it is another thing for people in the community to rise up and say we want that Horse
Guard in Avon and they are humbled by their efforts and again thank you very much. Chairman Zacchio expressed congratulations and thinks he speaks for the whole town when he says you are as much a part of the fabric of our community as anybody is and it would be hard to imagine that parcel being anything but the Horse Guard for Avon and we are very much appreciative of your efforts there as well so thank you.
V. COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCIL - None
VI. OLD BUSINESS
10/11-01 FY 11/12 Budget Development
The Town Manager reported that now we go on to referendum, the signs are up and now we are ready for the referendum on May 11th. He reported that we are continuing to monitor what is happening with the State; the Governor has signed a budget and now a lot of it is going to depend on what happens with the concession package with the State employees and we will be watching the implemental bills.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
10/11-43 Review, Discussion, and Set Public Hearing Date: Acceptances: Transfers
of Property and Easement to Town of Avon
The Town Manager reported that this is a hold over from the last meeting and he is recommending that this item be tabled to the June 2, 2011 meeting. Chairman Zacchio questioned Nick Cecere, sitting in the audience, if he would be in a position by Council’s next meeting to be able to tell us where he is on this item. Chairman Zacchio reported that Council is going to have to set the public hearing at their June 2, 2011 meeting which will give another month beyond that before the public hearing is held. Mr. Cecere responded yes and he will convey that to his attorney too.
On a motion made by Mr. Pena, seconded by Mr. Evans, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council table agenda item 10/11-43 Review, Discussion, and Set Public Hearing Date: Acceptances: Transfers of Property and Easement to Town of Avon to the June 2, 2011 meeting.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-54 Approve Resolution: Avon Water Company 100th Anniversary
On a motion made by Mr. Pena, seconded by Mr. Evans, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council waive the reading of the entire resolution and approve the resolution as follows:
WHEREAS: The Town Council hereby recognizes and wishes to make the citizens of the Town of Avon aware of the 100th Year Anniversary of the Avon Water Company, and;
WHEREAS: The Avon Water Company has served and continues to provide a safe public water service to the residents of Avon, Simsbury and Farmington. From its beginning, as a small village water company, compared to what we know today, the Avon Water Company has grown to a viable company and provides a much needed resource to Avon. In its earlier years, Ensign-Bickford was the impetus that formed a water company to serve their industrial operations and their many houses located, what is known today as, the Center of Avon. It branched out in the late 1957 when they provided public water to the newly constructed high school in the western part of town. Up to the 1960s the Water Company’s entire operation was located in Building One at the Avon Town
Hall Complex, which today is the Avon Town Manager’s Office;
WHEREAS: The Avon Water Company has over the years been a partner with the Town of Avon by extending their services to new developments and worked to bring water to other established areas, whereby providing over 4,700 resident households and businesses in Avon with public water;
WHEREAS: The present and past Staff and Board of Directors had the foresight to develop water wells at Fisher Meadows, a venture that the Town of Avon played a significant role. These wells will generate and guarantee an excellent water supply for years to come. Also, they have accomplished several loops of their water lines to strategically located water towers guaranteeing an adequate water supply to various areas of the town, and the establishment of fire hydrants throughout the Town where public water is available for the protection of life and property. They had the practical wisdom to continue to expand this small village operation North, South, East and West;
WHEREAS: The Staff and Board of Directors of the Avon Water Company bring a proud tradition of individualized water service and commitment to the communities they serve;
THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: That in tribute to the Avon Water Company and in recognition of their outstanding commitment and achievements to the people they serve, the Avon Town Council is pleased to acknowledge their 100th Year Anniversary and a copy of the Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the May 5, 2011 minutes.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-55 Set Public Hearing Date: Neighborhood Assistance Act
The Town Manager reported that this is an item that comes up every year on Council’s agenda and the program is administered through the Department of Revenue Services and the purpose of the program is to provide a tax credit to businesses that contribute funds to organizations that meet the criteria for the program. He reported that non-profit organizations, 501(c)3 organizations, and municipalities are eligible to receive funding through the program. He reported that the program requires that a list of projects be submitted to the municipality so we will be advertising and putting the word out that we are accepting applications, the applications will then come back before the Town Council, there is a public hearing to receive comment on those applications, and then following the public hearing and
Council approves the applications we send in the packet to the Department of Revenue Services. He reported that they notify us once the programs have been approved, we send out a notification to the organizations, and then they are responsible for doing their fundraising.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Pena, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council set a public hearing date for the 2011 Neighborhood Assistance Act to be held at the June 2, 2011 meeting.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-56 Review, Discussion, and Set Public Hearing Date: Acceptance:
CL&P Easement: Knoll Lane Subdivision
Attorney Robert Meyers reported a correction in that what is being requested is not that the Town Council accepts an easement but that you grant an easement to CL&P over a very large parcel (10’ x 20’) adjacent to Knoll Lane. He reported that Knoll Lane was approved as a permanent cul-de-sac serving six homes; in a fifty foot right-of-way there is going to be twenty-six feet with pavement and CL&P will not supply electricity to that subdivision until they get an easement, not only over the fifty foot right-of way but also over ten feet to the side in case in your wisdom some day you should decide to pave fifty feet wide to serve six homes. He reported that Steve Kushner, Director of Planning contacted an official at Northeast Utilities to try and explain the folly of this and like Mr.
Meyers he failed. He reported that the Town Attorney has also reviewed the request. Mr. Evans questioned, as raised in Mr. Meyers letter, is if there is anyway to accelerate this process. Chairman Zacchio responded only if we had another meeting for something else between now and our next meeting could we set the public hearing for that however we do not so the item will be set for Council’s next regular meeting. Council agreed.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Evans, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council set a public hearing date to grant the CL&P easement of Knoll Lane’s subdivision to be held at the June 2, 2011 meeting
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-57 Walmart Bike Patrol Grant to the Avon Police Department, $1,000
a. Acceptance of Gift
b. Supplemental Appropriation
On a motion made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mrs. Samul, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That in accordance with Town Charter, Section 4.3.2(1), the Town Council hereby accepts a gift of $1,000 from Walmart for the purpose of purchasing mountain patrol bikes for the Avon Police Department.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
On a motion made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mrs. Samul, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council hereby recommends that the Board of Finance amend the FY 10/11 Budget by increasing:
REVENUES
General Fund, Other Local Revenues, Donations & Grants, Private Sources, Account #01-0360-43651 in the amount of $1,000.00
and increasing
APPROPRIATIONS
General Fund, Patrol Services, Materials-Other, Account #01-2107-52239 in the amount of $1,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing mountain patrol bikes for the Avon Police Department.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-58 Appointment: Wild & Scenic River Study Committee (D – 12/31/2011)
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Pena, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council table the appointment to the Wild & Scenic River Study Committee to the June 2, 2011 meeting.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-59 Appointments: Youth Services Bureau Advisory Board
Chairman Zacchio reported that he was notified that our Middle School Principal Marco Famiglietti would like to join the Board and he does not think we could pick a better person as an advocacy for the kids.
On a motion made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Pena, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council appoint Marco Famiglietti to the Youth Services Bureau Advisory Board with a term to expire on December 31, 2011.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
On a motion made by Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Pena, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council table the second appointment to the Youth Services Bureau Advisory Board to the June 2, 2011 meeting.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
10/11-60 Resignation: Inland Wetlands Commission (D – 12/31/2013)
On a motion made by Mr. Pena, seconded by Mr. Shea, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council accept with regret the resignation of Peter Mahoney from the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
VIII. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT/MISCELLANEOUS
Misc. A: Purchasing Update: The Town Manager reported a project that is really coming together nicely is the scoreboard replacement at the High School and this is being funded completely through a private source through the Avon High School Booster Club, approximately $28,000 and the town has partnered with this group on the project; it meets all of the Planning and Zoning requirements and we have actually been involved with specifications and bidding the project and we expect it to be done in pretty short order. Mr. Pena questioned what is going to happen with the old scoreboard. The Town Manager responded that he did not know. Chairman Zacchio reported that there is a company that refurbishes and resells them out to other schools so there was suggestion
that might be done. Mr. Pena questioned if any of the other schools could use it. Mr. Shea responded that the scoreboard has been there for awhile, approximately forty years, and he does not know if it has any life left in it. Chairman Zacchio questioned if the new scoreboard is going in the same spot. The Town Manager responded that he believed it is. Chairman Zacchio thanked the Booster Club and everyone involved to put that in place.
The Town Manager reported that the Field Irrigation Maintenance bids have been opened and we are in the process of reviewing the results. He reported that there is a lot of bid activity with respect to the library project: custom millwork for the desks including the main circulation desk, the shelving and associated furniture, and the technology infrastructure and are coming due between May 12th and the end of the month. He reported that it is a good environment and we are getting a lot of interest in these bid packages, a lot of calls from vendors so that is usually a good sign. Mr. Shea questioned if these bids are going through the general contractor. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded no. Mr. Shea questioned why they are not going through the general contractor.
The Assistant to the Town Manager responded that these were not part of the construction contract/project so these three and the moving were owned by the Town; we have been working with the architect and the consultants that he has under his contract for interior design, information technology, and furniture. Mr. Shea questioned if the consultants under the architect contract were extras. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded no, they were part of his contract. Mr. Evans questioned who is paying for this. The Town Manager responded that it is all coming out of the project. Mr. Evans clarified it is not under the construction manager’s authority. The Town Manager responded yes and even though it is not directly under the construction manager they are certainly involved and staff is heavily involved between the Assistant to the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works who have been scrutinizing the bid packages. Mr.
Shea questioned who qualifies the low bidder. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded that the Library Building Committee was involved with what ended up in the bid packages. He reported that the furniture consultant will review the bids and make a recommendation to us which will then go to the Library Building Committee before anything is accepted. He added that ultimately it is the Town. Mr. Shea reported that sometimes these bids can be a bit complicated, who is going to be looking at these that has a specialty in millworks, shelving, and technology, is it the consultant or the architect who makes a recommendation to staff? The Town Manager responded yes, then we will make a recommendation to the Library Building Committee.
The Town Manager reported there are other outstanding bids, including the grounds maintenance and snow removal service, scrap metal recycling, and transfer station disposal of refuse. He reported there is a lot of additional activity on the horizon with respect to the library including the bid package for phase two of the furniture going out and we are still working on the specifications for the dump truck replacement and something going out on online recreation registration.
Misc. B: Construction Update: The Town Manager reported that things are really moving along nicely at the library. He reported that it has really been a seamless process, very little interruption; he took a site walk about a week and a half ago and at that point they were still in the process of putting the steel up which was really something to watch if you have never seen that process before; now the steel is up and they are going to start filling it in. Mr. Shea questioned, as he drives by the library too many times a day, the safety; he is concerned as it is such a public site and it is largely abandoned for a portion of the day. Mr. Shea questioned what are we doing as far as safety goes and securing the site with the crane now that the steel is there;
he is more concerned about the kids and any related activity. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded that we have not heard anything from either the site superintendent or the police or the library staff as far as kids playing on the equipment, etc. He reported that the entire construction area is fenced off now and pretty soon the fencing will be moved around to the front of the building when they get started there. He reported, although not related to safety, on one issue a couple of weeks ago when one of the steel trucks backed onto the lawn of a house across the street; the resident called the Assistant to the Town Manager and reported such, and before the Assistant to the Town Manager could call the superintendent to tell him what had happened he had gone to the steel contractor and had him there flattening and seeding it and the resident was very happy and is enjoying watching the project. The Assistant to the Town Manager reported that he has not
heard anything which he thinks is a good sign. Mr. Shea questioned whether the Town Manager or Assistant to the Manager is attending the job meetings weekly. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded yes. Mr. Shea questioned if safety and security of the site are coming up at every job meeting. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded that it is not. Mr. Shea questioned if it can be brought up going forward. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded yes and the Fire Marshal has been at the site quite a bit monitoring things. Mr. Shea reported that part of the weekly conversation should be a quick update on security and safety. The Town Manager reported that another thing that is helpful with this project in terms of having another outside set of eyes on it is that CIRMA is there quite often and they do spot checks; not only do they come out for our safety committee meetings but every once in a while a CIRMA representative will
drop by and we always get a summary report back from when they swing by and tell us what they saw and if there are any recommendations that are made regarding the site or safety generally, they circulate back out to the Director of Public Works or the Assistant to the Town Manager.
The Town Manager reported that in terms of the STEAP grant we are going to be gearing up to move on to Phase III of the project. He reported that we did just receive notification from the Office of Policy and Management that the State has funds available for STEAP projects and applications are due by mid-June and it is likely that we will submit another application to continue the project and move on to Phase IV.
The Town Manager reported that with regards to the police communications center upgrade we got a very good response to the request for proposal that was advertised. He reported that the three police chiefs (Canton, Simsbury, and Avon) are in the process of reviewing the responses, they will recommend a short list, and we will move forward with interviews.
The Town Manager reported that with regards to the Department of Public Works projects, there is the salt shed and underground fuel tank. He reported that the underground fuel tank is basically just a matter of continuing to phase in those projects, taking out the old tanks and putting in new tanks. Chairman Zacchio questioned if we are installing the new tanks above ground. The Town Manager responded yes.
Misc. C: Energy Plan & OPM Grant Updates: The Assistant to the Town Manager reported that the Avon Clean Energy Commission had a meeting last night that the consultant attended, which is the first time that the Commission had to meet the selected firm from the regional competitive bid process from last fall. He reported that the consultant has been working behind the scenes with the schools and Public Works to get a lot of the details that will be required for the final Energy Plan. He reported that last night was a meet and greet for the Commission and consultant and the consultant explained some of the direction we would be looking for from them to enhance and supplement the quantitative part of the Energy Plan which will be what we have, what we are
consuming in the assets that we have, and what our options are as far as replacement moving forward. He reported that the consultant is looking to the Commission for what their values and long-term goals are and what are they hoping to get out of the Energy Plan; those are questions that both the Commission and staff will chew on. He reported that some of the types of things are looking to reduce operating cost through efficient equipment replacement which is something that is already being done but will be improved once they have a detailed list of everything we have and people who do this full-time looking at it and making suggestions on directions to go. He reported that the Commission will be meeting next month to try to come to some sort of consensus on what it is they want to see in the plan followed by another meeting with the consultant to try to articulate that and package it.
The Assistant to the Town Manager reported that he submitted an application to OPM; they reviewed a re-programming of some of the formula EECBG funds that the Town received back in 2009 which was a $75,000 grant, it was split up three ways: $50,000 for garage doors, $20,000 for the Energy Plan which is now being funded out of the competitive bid with the other four towns, and an anti-idling campaign. He reported that at the previous Clean Energy Commission meeting they voted unanimously to re-program those funds for a project that was previously considered for the schools to re-lamp as many of the 32 watt fluorescent bulbs as possible with 25 watt bulbs; OPM reviewed it, said that would look great, and we just have to follow local purchasing policies so the Boards will go out and get three written prices for the
bulbs and this summer they will go in and it is $25,000 to spend on light bulbs and we are looking at probably somewhere around $20,000 in savings in the first year so it is a nice project for the schools. Mr. Pena reported that at the Budget Public Hearing the Superintendent of Schools talked about an energy plan and questioned if that energy plan is going to be in conjunction with this one. The Assistant to the Town Manager responded that his understanding is there is an Energy Education or similar behavioral based plan. Chairman Zacchio responded that it is behavioral based in terms of how the employees of the Town operate their day and their use of electricity; the one that the Assistant to the Town Manager is talking about is based on energy assessment of the facility, the mechanics, and such. He reported that he asked Mr. Mala the same question. The Board of Education Chairman, sitting in the audience, reported that the baseline for the savings
from the behavioral changes going forward will take into effect the change out of the light bulbs; if we are going to save approximately $20,000 their initial cost will go down $20,000 and then that is when they will start accounting for the savings, $135,000 conservatively for the year or the $4 million over ten years. Mr. Pena clarified that it is not a duplication of services. The Board of Education Chairman reported that Peter Gaski, Director of Buildings and Grounds, is a staff person on the Avon Clean Energy Commission as well. Chairman Zacchio questioned that we are not paying for this and it is all part of the regional grant. The Town Manager responded yes.
The Town Manager reported that there are some new regulations that are becoming effective July 1, 2011 and they have to do with the disposal of fats, oils, and greases into the sewer collection system. He reported that these are regulations that we have known have been coming for a very long time, they have been in the pipeline, they have gone through all of the public hearings, and all of our restaurants in town know about these issues. He reported that we have Murtha Cullina Attorney Andrew Lord who is looking at this and is going to be making a recommendation as to an enforcement mechanism. He reported that we will be looking for a recommendation as to whether or not it should be enforced through an ordinance or through administrative regulations adopted by the AWPCA so to the extent that it requires
an ordinance what we will be looking for is a recommendation from the AWPCA on language to the Town Council which you would then set a public hearing and public comment and perhaps adopt an ordinance or you may not see this again, it may be on the agenda for next month. Mrs. Samul questioned how that will be enforced. The Town Manager responded that it will be enforced initially through staff and as you probably know as you think about our sewer infrastructure, in the Engineering Department we have one employee who is responsible for maintaining that collection system. He reported that we are not sure how much time it is going to take to start off with so the thinking internally is that we see what is involved with it; we have had discussions with the Farmington Valley Health District, all of the towns have discussed it with them but they are not staffed up to take on that additional obligation. He reported that we see what is involved and then it is
possible at some point in the future we may want to go regional with some kind of an agent to do those inspections but first things first we are going to see what is involved with it. He reported that it is very important legislation because without this the stuff goes into sewer collection system which gums up the pump stations and it is not a good thing. Mr. Evans questioned what the procedure is for the proper disposal of this type of material. The Town Manager responded that there is a mechanism that goes into the back room of the restaurants that collects this stuff. Mr. Evans questioned what they do with it. The Town Manager responded that there is a service that has to come by and pick it up; there is an after market for it. Mr. Evans reported that the enforcement then has to be somewhere in that, if a known business is generating a certain quantity of this fats and after-producing a certain number of cans or barrels of it or else they are
otherwise disposing of it improperly. The Town Manager reported that the collection process has to be licensed. Mr. Shea reported that recognizing the importance of this, he thinks that the town has been reluctant when it comes to just entering into ordinances and he suggested that if we could regionally or reach out through the Farmington Valley Collaborative to talk about an ordinance like this because as you can imagine what the regulators want and what is good for the community is not going to be good for the restaurants. He reported that there might be a pretty loud noise that comes from however we try to enforce this and he thinks there should be some consideration taken to that and maybe there can be a process of steps that we can take before an ordinance which may very well be the proper result; it just is the imposition of having a lot of restaurants in Town and who pays for this person that is going to be enforcing all of this because he would imagine
that the ordinance is going to have to fund that and this is going to become a very active discussion piece after it takes place, if it takes place. He reported that some temporary steps might help us mitigate the impact.
The Town Manager reported that the AdHoc EMS sub-committee that he asked to work with Chief Rinaldo has been meeting throughout the last eight or nine months now in anticipation of some decisions needing to be made as the contract with UCONN for paramedic services runs on a year-to-year basis and we had extended the agreement with Farmington for one year. He reported that the group is on the same page that we continue with the current arrangement for providing emergency medical services. He reported that we have received the renewal contract from UCONN running July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 and there is a change in it and the change is that UCONN wants the ability to bill for ALS service, which is the paramedic service, to the extent that we need them to respond and they are also reducing the amount of their
fee, their contract cost, from $54,000 to $27,000 per year. He reported that their thinking is that they will make it up in the billing. He reported that he had some initial concerns about that because he does not want to create confusion for residents should they require both BLS and ALS service and he is sufficiently comfortable with the mechanics of how all that works. He asked Council to review the background, think about it, and at the next meeting will include it on the agenda as an action item and we can get into some more detail about it. Mr. Shea asked the Town Manager to ask Chief Rinaldo to include Adam Corrado on any correspondence that he sends on this. He reported that Adam Corrado is Council’s representative and the peoples’ representative, we are very lucky to have him involved and he is dedicating a lot of time to it. The Town Manager reported that on the memo from Chief Rinaldo to the Town Manager, whenever it was
still in draft format, he sent it over to Adam and the Town Manager and Adam talked about it this morning; Adam vetted all of it before it was signed and came to the Town Manager. Mr. Shea responded that was great to hear but since Adam is again the Council representative having his name on it would be great and vice versa by asking Adam to copy Chief Rinaldo.
The Town Manager reported that with the Route 44 Mountain Project, basically done at this point as they are in the very final stages of punch list items, we are continuing to talk with DOT about the issue of ongoing maintenance. He reported that DOT has a one-year warranty on all of the plantings that have gone into the medians and we are comfortable that they are going to monitor that and monitor the warranty of anything that needs to be swapped out will be taken care of but we have the ongoing maintenance issues after that. He reported that we have been working closely with DOT on it, frankly it is going to become a town responsibility; he thinks we have pushed it as far as we can with DOT, we have one more meeting that we are going to have with Region 4, the Bureau Chief, but he has been talking with our
Director of Public Works about contingency planning to the extent that it needs to be maintained that it is, spray it for weeds every year even though there is a heavy matting and from time to time we are going to need somebody to go up there and clean up the trash if it accumulates. Mr. Shea reported, safety issues aside because there will be some on a heavy traffic area like that, that it would be good to reach out to the Boy Scouts and various volunteer groups (i.e. Rotary Club) to see if they want to assist. Chairman Zacchio reported that we just received a notice from the Boy Scouts pointing them to a community project. Mr. Shea reported that once we reach out to them the first thing we have to talk about is safety, how safe it will be, how we can make it a good, healthy environment for them to volunteer, and it is a highly visible project so they will get a great deal of feedback and be good exposure.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation/Negotiation
A. Pending Claim/Litigation – Avon High School Boiler
B. Pending Claim/Litigation – Issue pending before the Department of Agriculture
regarding nuisance dogs
On a motion made by Mr. Pena, seconded by Mr. Evans, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council go into Executive Session at 8:20 p.m.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
The Town Manager, the Assistant to the Town Manager, the Town Attorney, and the Clerk attended the session.
On a motion made by Mr. Pena, seconded by Mrs. Samul, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council come out of Executive Session at 9:20 p.m.
Mrs. Samul, Messrs: Zacchio, Shea, Pena, and Evans voted in favor.
XI. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Attest:
Caroline B. LaMonica
Clerk
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