EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OCTOBER 2, 2007
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin, Councillors Marcia A. Leclerc, Marc I. Weinberg, Jason Rojas, Patricia Harmon and
Eric Thompson
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m. He announced the exit locations in
accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 29-381, after which the Council joined him in the pledge of allegiance. The Chair recognized the Minority Leader Donald Pitkin who made mention of several milestones in East Hartford history that were very close to him, noting that the town charter was approved on this date forty years ago.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
MOTION By Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes
seconded by Bill Horan
to add Item 7.D. Communications and Petitions
the resignation of Cathy Condio, as alternate, from
the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Motion carried 9/0
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Virginia Lynch, 77 Chapel Street, spoke regarding the No Child Left Behind law and how important it is to communicate with your children on an every day basis regarding every day life.
Susan Kniep, 46 Olde Roberts Street, spoke regarding children that are in need of the task force that would flag children with emotional and educational problems and establish communication between the parents/guardian and the schools. She suggested a mentoring program to be funded by corporate sponsors.
Susan Skowronek, 84 Syracuse Drive, spoke regarding how East Hartford High School has been added to the No Child Left Behind list of schools in need of improvement because of low marks and quality of education in town. She called for resignations of elected Board of Education members along with some of the administrators because of exorbitant salaries. Referred to an article regarding asbestos in our schools and why this issue wasn't addressed over the summer break instead of waiting until the start of the school year.
Irene Papaleo, 9 Arawak Drive, spoke about the dikes and the cutting down of the trees on them. She also spoke of the lack of a police presence on Pitkin Street given the publicized article regarding an attack on a pedestrian on Pitkin Street.
Mayor Currey, spoke to concerns regarding the dikes and funding from the federal government for them. She thanked both Anne Fornabi and Cathie Condio for their dedicated service to the town for many years. She mentioned several upcoming events which include the Holiday Fest in December along with the Haunted House in October. The Mayor introduced Police Chief Sirois who, in turn, introduced his new assistant Beau Thurnauer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 18. 2007 Executive Session/Joseph Carey & Paul Clapp
MOTION By Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2007 Executive Session/Joseph Carey & Paul Clapp
Motion carried 9/0.
September 18, 2007 Public Hearing/Veterans and Elderly & Disabled Homeowners Tax
Credit Programs
MOTION By Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2007 Public Hearing/Veterans and Elderly & Disabled Homeowners Tax
Credit Programs
Motion carried 9/0.
September 18, 2007 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the minutes of the September 18. 2007 Regular Meeting
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Presentation by Dr. Marion Martinez, Superintendent of Schools re: Connecticut Mastery
Tests
Dr. Martinez along with members of her staff including Debbie Kaprove, Assistant
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lesley Morgan-Thompson, Supervisor of Elementary
Instruction and Marcia Huddy, Supervisor of Secondary Instruction presented a power
point presentation regarding the No Child Left Behind program along with the many
challenges that the Town of East Hartford is facing.
East Hartford Police Department: Annual Report of Forfeiture of Funds
Chair Kehoe commented on the report presented by the East Hartford Police Department and the amount of monies that the Town receives, primarily in drug forfeitures. This report is in compliance with Town Ordinance Sec. 10-49.
Resignation of Anne Fornabi from the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Personnel Appeals Board
Chair Kehoe recognized the contributions that Anne Fornabi has made to the above Boards as well as being the Town Clerk.
Resignation of Cathie Condio as alternate to the Planning & Zoning Commission
Chair Kehoe recognized the contributions that Cathie Condio has made to the Planning & Zoning Commission but mentioned that she continues to serve the town in several other capacities.
NEW BUSINESS
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: "Holiday Fest' '07"
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application for
Holiday Fest '07 to be held on December 7, 9 & 10, 2007
subject to compliance with adopted codes and regulations
of the State of Connecticut, the Town of East Hartford, and any
other stipulations required by the Town of East Hartford or its
agencies.
Motion carried 9/0.
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: "Brain Injury Association of Connecticut
& United Steel Walk for Thought"
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Don Pitkin
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application for
The Brain Injury Association of Connecticut & United Steel Walk
For Thought Walk a Thon to be held Saturday, October 20, 2007
from 11 AM to 3 PM at Great River Park subject to compliance with
adopted codes and regulations of the State of Connecticut, the Town of East Hartford, and any other stipulations required by the Town of East
Hartford or its agencies.
Motion carried 9/0.
Waiver of Permit Fees
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
to waive the amusement permit fee for The Brain Injury Association Association pursuant to Town Ordinance Section 5-6b.
Motion carried 9/0
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to refund taxes in the amount of $6,862.31
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Memorandum
DATE: October 22, 2007
TO: Michael Walsh, Director of Finance
FROM: Patricia Faucher, Collector of Revenue
RE: Refund of Taxes
Under the provisions of Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the following persons are entitled to the refunds as requested:
Name and Address |
Account |
Amount |
Reason |
Arno, Kimberly E 7 6th Ave York, ME 03909 |
2005-03-51498 |
55.18 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 520JXW |
Bedard, Judith 20 Elida Court East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-52776 |
17.70 |
Overpayment Marker # 275ARL |
Bezzini, John III 92 Cooper Beech Way East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-53308 2006-03-53310 |
88.14 26.00 114.14 Total |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 860REZ # 260LBH |
Carpenter, William or Carpenter, Deborah 68 Whiting Rd East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-56065 |
10.69 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 584PAK |
Coleman, Mancell Ruth A 143 Timber Trail East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2005-03-57856 |
49.40 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 882TOD |
Degregorio, Francis J 160 High St East Hartford, CT 06118-1819 |
2006-03-59981 2006-03-59982 |
55.62 49.48 4.00 Int 109.10 Total |
Overpayment Marker # 350TLW # 10CM99 |
Deleon, Roberto I 438 Goodwin St East Hartford, CT 06108-1218 |
2006-03-60066 |
9.60 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 741RXV |
Dzukey, Ben 1325 Burnside Ave AB4 East Hartford, CT 06108-1570 |
2006-03-61592 |
15.18 |
Overpayment Marker # 987RCY |
First American Real Estate Tax Ser 1 First American Way Mail Code: DFW 1-3 Westlake, TX 76262 Attn: Refunds |
2006-01-16342 |
392.47 |
Overpayment 84 Elida Court Unit 2 |
First Horizon Home Loans C/O Total Mortgage Solutions, LP 1555 Walnut Hill Lane Ste 200A Irving, TX 75038 |
2006-01-671 |
1792.10 |
Duplicate Payment 23 Helm Road |
GMAC 500 Enterprise Dr Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3913 |
2005-03-65159 |
264.73 |
Assessor’s Adjustment VIN # 1GNDT13XX3K139611 |
GMAC 500 Enterprise Dr Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3913 |
2005-03-65162 |
513.84 |
Assessor’s Adjustment VIN # 3GBKC34G11M100183 |
GMAC 500 Enterprise Dr Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3913 |
2005-03-65173 |
318.44 |
Assessor’s Adjustment VIN # 1G1NE52J63M592195 |
GMAC Automotive 6985 Union Park C S435 Midvale, UT 84047 |
2006-03-65010 |
851.36 |
Overpayment VIN # 1GNFK13067R101661 |
Lamarca, Robert J orLamarca, Deborah 273R Scantic Rd East Windsor, CT 06088-9755 |
2006-03-71035 |
10.80 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 429N |
Lemire, Mathew A 12 School House Rd Ellington, CT 06029 |
2005-03-72096 |
51.85 |
Overpayment Marker # 8CT575 |
Litton Loan Servicing 4828 Loop Central Dr Houston, TX 77081 |
2006-01-9161 |
420.00 |
Overpayment 143 Silver Lane |
Martinez, Sofia 26 Wells Ave #1 East Hartford, CT 06108-2269 |
2006-03-74010 |
61.59 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 550SWV |
Moreau, Lorenzo J or Moreau, Bertha C 11 Richard Rd East Hartford, CT 06108-2136 |
2006-03-76101 |
7.04 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # GT3902 |
Ortiz, William Jr 53B Salmonbrook Dr Glastonbury, CT 06033 |
2006-03-78311 |
42.98 |
Overpayment Marker # VF2259 |
Rodriguez, Jacqueline 34 Sawka Dr East Hartford, CT 06118-1321 |
2006-03-82816 |
47.72 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 245TZT |
Rome, Edward R or Rome, Linda G 202 Westerly Ter East Hartford, CT 06118-3458 |
2006-03-83157 |
7.33 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 385MRO |
Savage, Savage, & Brown Inc PO Box 22845 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 RE: Rent A Center # 03610 |
2006-03-81640 |
368.06 |
Overpayment Store # 03610 |
Simmons, Augustus 446 Main St #207 East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-64970 |
303.41 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 335URV Vet exemption/leased vehicle |
Tweeter Home Entertainment Group New England Audio Co Inc 40 Pequot Way Canton, MA 02021 |
2005-03-88941
2004-03-89122 |
475.46 Tax 17.83 Int 359.30 Tax 852.59 Total |
Overpayment Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 3CN582 # 3CN582 |
Warner, Peter J 138 Chester St East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2004-03-90627 2005-03-90427 2006-03-90133 |
55.40 65.43 54.18 175.01 Total |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # GB9136 Vet Exemption |
TOTAL |
|
6862.31 |
|
_____________________
Patricia Faucher, CCMC
Referral to Ordinance Committee: Property Tax Relief for Severely Disabled Veterans
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to refer to the Ordinance Committee the issue of amending the
East Hartford Code of Ordinances to provide tax relief for severely
disabled veterans with instructions to investigate the issue and to
report back to the Town Council with its proposed ordinance amendments,
if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes wanted to know how much surplus we will use from the 2006-07 fiscal year in order to pay directly for capitol improvements instead of paying through our lease purchase program.
Jason Rojas wanted to know if there could be a report generated to provide some clarity on the gang issue here in town.
Donald Pitkin is still looking for a response including a breakdown of costs for improvements to town hall, including the installation of an elevator, along with the cost to renovations to both the Assessors Office and the Development office, re-pointing the brick outside these departments and the installation of replacement windows.
Eric Thompson also would like to know why an extra $14,000 was added to the original price for the renovation of the cupola. He commented on an idea to bring to the Ordinance Committee the issue of creating a liaison to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Ram Aberasturia, 36 Eric Way, explained to the Council why he voted on September 17, 2007 against three year contracts for the administrators from the Board of Education and his feelings that one year contracts are much better. He wanted to voice his concerns regarding upcoming teacher contracts.
Patrick Sanzo, 23 Risley Street, voiced concern regarding the upkeep of the statue in front of the Raymond Library. He also voiced a concern about the sign located in a business on Main Street stating Geno is God. He also wondered why the new fountain on the corner of Connecticut Boulevard and Main Street wasn't working.
Virginia Lynch, 77 Chapel Street, spoke to the fact that educators in town do care about the children in East Hartford and once again spoke to the No Child Left Behind criteria.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:58 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on October 16, 2007.
Attest________________________________
Christine R. Bedard
Acting TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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