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01-15-08 Regular Meeting
EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

JANUARY 15, 2008

PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Jason Rojas, Barbara-Ann Rossi, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson

ABSENT  Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin


CALL TO ORDER

Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:40 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 announced the absence of Minority Leader Donald Pitkin due to illness and looks forward to seeing him at the next Council meeting.

The Chair also noted that today is Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday and asked that people remember his legacy and try to live up to the ideals that he espoused.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS

Raleigh Doby, Jr., 1789 Main Street, spoke on a security issue at a local basketball game.

Mayor Currey addressed the Council on (1) the need for a Youth Task Force Coordinator; (2) the response from the Army Corp of Engineers regarding restrictions on the development of Phase II at Silver Lane Cemetery; (3) the celebration of Martin Luther King Day on Friday in the town's schools, with ceremonies to be held at Goodwin School.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

January 2, 2008 Regular Meeting  

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                        to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2008 Regular Meeting.
                        Motion carried 8/0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Recycling Program Update

The Mayor introduce Paul Nonnenmacher, Director of Public Affairs at Connecticut
Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA), who gave a power-point presentation to the
Council on the financial and ecological benefits of trash recycling.  The Chair joined the Mayor in asking the residents of East Hartford to make a concerted effort to recycle their trash.

Road Improvement Program Update

Mayor Currey called on Billy Taylor, Director of Public Works, to introduce Robert Christman, Senior Principal of Engineering at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), who gave the Council a power-point presentation on the ongoing road repair program, explaining the methodology on how roads are chosen for repair and the town's pavement management philosophy. Also present was Nick Casparino, Civil Engineer, from the Public Works department, who works primarily on the town's road repair program.  
  

NEW BUSINESS

Contingency Transfer re: Presidential Primary

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                to transfer funds in the amount of $28,066.00 from account
                #G9600-63492 Reserve for Contingency to account #G1300-
                60135 Registrar of Voters – Election Officials to pay for costs associated
                with the Presidential Primary to be held on February 8, 2008.
                Motion carried 8/0.


Referral to Ordinance Committee re: Service of Alcohol – Riverfront Recapture at Great River Park

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to refer to the Ordinance Committee the issue of the request by Riverfront Recapture to apply for a liquor permit to allow the sale of alcohol at Great River Park for some events sponsored by Riverfront Recapture; the Ordinance Committee will consider the request, examine the issue, and report to the Town Council with its recommendation, if any.
Motion carried 8/0.

Refund of Taxes

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to refund taxes in the amount of $2,185.02
                pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
                Motion carried 8/0.
Memorandum
DATE:   January 22, 2008
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
Badway, Thomas G
235 East River Dr Unit #1002
East Hartford, CT 06108
2005-01-741
21.81
Overpayment
235 East River Drive Unit # 1002
Bresson, Phillip F
56 Russell Dr
East Hartford, CT 06108-1225
2006-03-54366
5.17
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 723UDY
Carey, Elaine M
296 Maple St
East Hartford, CT 06118
2006-03-55970
21.20
Overpayment
Marker # 6CL945
First American Real Estate Tax Service
1 First American Way
Mail Code:  DFW 1-3
Westlake, TX 76262
Attn: Tax Refund
2006-01-14344
1702.61
Wrong parcel pd by Bank
25 Westbrook Street
Johnson, Wanda R
110 Heron Rd
East Hartford, CT 06118-2923
2006-03-69163
9.03
Overpayment
Marker # 270PZV

Mearise, James L
139 Columbus Cir
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-03-74942
39.15
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 723TOW
Murali, Therthala
851 Okeeffe Ave Apt # 54
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
2005-03-76816
37.73
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 729MCN
Smith, Douglas E
92 Crescent Dr
East Hartford, CT 06118-2700
2006-03-85835
63.71
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 806UDM
St. Peter, Geoffrey
72 Higbie Dr
East Hartford, CT 06108-2840
2006-03-86383
6.86
Overpayment
Marker # 664ULD
Tebecio, Joseph M
11 Grande Rd
East Hartford, CT 06118
2005-01-14262
277.75
Overpayment
11 Grande Road
TOTAL
2185.02

_____________________
Patricia Faucher, CCMC


Referral to Personnel & Pensions Subcommittee re: Youth Services Department - Youth Task Force Coordinator/Project Manager

MOTION  By Jason Rojas
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                to refer to the Personnel & Pensions Subcommittee the item of the Youth
                Task Force Coordinator/Project Manager.
                Motion carried 7/1.  Nay: Thompson
                
Various Appointments to Boards and Commissions

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                seconded by Bill Horan
                to approve the following appointments and/or reappointments:
        BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
        Kathleen McNamara         45 Torpey Drive                       12/11
        Linda Russo     235 E. River Drive #608                 12/11
        BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
              Patricia Byrnes     57 Garvan Street                      12/10
        COMMISSION ON SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
        Marie Beaulieu    41 Applegate Lane #203                12/09
        ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
        Devorah Johnson 26 Westview Drive                       12/10
        EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMMISSION
        Catherine Condio          19 Blinn Street                               12/09
        Dorese Roberts               454 Silver Lane                    12/09
        BOARD OF ETHICS (ALTERNATE)
        Judy Shanahan     29 Whitney Street                     12/12
        FINE ARTS COMMISSION
        Terrye Blackstone         26 Holland Lane                       12/12
        Regina Barall   821 Brewer Street                       12/12
        INLAND-WETLANDS/ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
        Daniel O’Dea    137 Madison Street                      12/11
        Judith Shanahan   29 Whitney Street                     12/11
        James Reik      235 E. River Drive #1005                12/11
LIBRARY COMMISSION
Charles Casella, Jr.      22 Brookline Drive                    12/10
PATRIOTIC COMMISSION
Margaret Byrnes   57 Garvan Street                      12/10
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Thomas Fitzgerald           6 Elaine Drive                      12/12
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Ellen McCreery    39 Greene Terrace                     12/12
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Richard Torpey, Jr.     134 Manor Circle                        12/12

                      Motion carried 8/0.

Various Appointments to Boards and Commissions

MOTION  By Pat Harmon
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to approve the following appointments and/or reappointments:

        BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
        Richard L. Mourey               785 Burnham Street                      12/11
        BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
        Marylee Hickey  119 Fitzgerald Drive                    12/10
        Susan Kickery     38 Bancroft Road                      12/10
        COMMISSION ON SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
        Bernard Corona    27 Winding Lane                       12/09
        Bruce Gaudette    22 Higbie Drive                       12/09
        ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
        John Ryan       172 Burke Street                        12/10
        EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COMMISSION
        Michael Brinius   60 Rentschler Street                  12/09
        INLAND-WETLANDS/ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION (ALTERNATE)
        John G. Morrison          47 Woodbridge Avenue          12/11           
        PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD
        Edmund Mickiewicz         32 Blueberry Lane                     12/10
        PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
        John Ryan       172 Burke Street                        12/12
        PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION
        Travis Justin Simpson   119 Naubuc Avenue                       12/12
        REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
        Daniel Dube        61 Barbara Drive                     12/12
        Motion carried 8/0.




OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION

None



COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS

Brewer Family, LLC v. Town of East Hartford

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Barbara Rossi
                to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office to settle
                the tax appeal case entitled Brewer Family, LLC v. Town of East Hartford
                and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the fair market value of the
                property located at 359 High Street, owned by Brewer Family, LLC, to the
                sum of $5,841,000.00, subject to rounding; beginning with the Grand List
                of October 1, 2006; further that neither party will be entitled to fees or costs
                of any kind; further that if the plaintiff is entitled to a refund of taxes paid,
                the refund will be deducted from the next installment of taxes.
                Motion carried 7/0.  Abstain: Horan


Colonial Mobile Home Park, Inc. v. Town of East Hartford

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Pat Harmon
                to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office to settle
                the tax appeal case entitled Colonial Mobile Home Park, Inc. v. Town of
                East Hartford and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the fair market
                value of the property located at 247 High Street, owned by Colonial Mobile
                Home Park, Inc., to the sum of $4,059,000.00, subject to rounding;
                beginning with the Grand List of October 1, 2006; further that neither party
                will be entitled to fees or costs of any kind; further that if the plaintiff is
                entitled to a refund of taxes paid, the refund will be deducted from the next
                installment of taxes.
                Motion carried 7/0.  Abstain: Horan


Martin A. Gould, Executor v. Town of East Hartford

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                        to rescind the motion passed by the East Hartford Town Council on
                        November 20, 2007 regarding Martin A. Gould, Executor of the Estate of
                        Mary A. Silvester v. Town of East Hartford.
                        Motion carried 7/0.  Abstain: Horan

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office to settle
                the tax appeal case entitled Martin A. Gould, Executor of the Estate of
                Mary A. Silvester v. Town of East Hartford and to authorize the Town
                Assessor to reduce the fair market value of the property located at 37-39
                Charles Street, owned by Martin A. Gould, Executor, to the sum of
                $173,330.00, subject to rounding; and to reduce the fair market value of
                the property located at 2-2A Lincoln Street, owned by martin A. Gould,
                Executor, to the sum of $170,580.00, subject to rounding; beginning with
                the Grand List of October 1, 2006; further that neither party will be entitled
                to fees or costs of any kind; further that if the plaintiff is entitled to a refund
                of taxes paid, the refund will be deducted from the next installment of
                taxes.
                        Motion carried 7/0.  Abstain: Horan

Eagle Wickham LLC v. Town of East Hartford (1st case)

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Jason Rojas
                to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office to settle
                the tax appeal case entitled Eagle Wickham LLC v. Town of East Hartford,
                Docket No. HHB-CV-07-4014799-S and to authorize the Town Assessor to
                reduce the fair market value of the properties owned by Eagle Wickham,
                LLC as outlined in a memo to Rich Kehoe from Scott Chadwick dated
                January 15, 2008 (see attached); further that neither party will be entitled
                to fees or costs of any kind; further that if the plaintiff is entitled to a refund
                of taxes paid, the refund will be deducted from the next installment of
                taxes.
                Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Horan


Eagle Wickham LLC v. Town of East Hartford (2nd case)

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office to settle
                the tax appeal case entitled Eagle Wickham LLC v. Town of East Hartford,
                Docket No. HHB-CV-07-4014800-S and to authorize the Town Assessor to
                reduce the fair market value of the properties owned by Eagle Wickham,
                LLC as outlined in a memo to Rich Kehoe from Scott Chadwick dated
                January 15, 2008 (see attached); further that neither party will be entitled    to fees or costs of any
                kind; further that if the plaintiff is entitled to a refund of taxes paid, the refund will be deducted
                from the next installment of taxes.
                Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Horan



OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK

Jon Searles, 51 Spaulding Circle, commented on the town's recycling program and questioned the need for a Youth Task Force Coordinator.

Catherine Johnson, 101 Conn Blvd, Appt 4G, addressed the Council on the possibility of obtaining a permit to hold a Christian concert at the East Hartford Community Cultural Center or at the Town Green.  

Irene Papaleo, 9 Arawak Drive, spoke on the tax appeal cases that were on tonight's agenda. Ms. Papaleo also questioned the need for a Youth Task Force Coordinator, stating that parents should take a more proactive role in their children's development.

Ginny Lynch, 77 Chapel Street, spoke in favor of a Youth Task Force Coordinator to assist the children in the community who are at risk.

Patrick Sanzo, 23 Risley Street, commented on (1) the necessity for all residents to recycle; (2) questioned the need for a Youth Task Force Coordinator; (3) crime statistics in East Hartford; (4) traffic on Main Street; (5) is against any more adult-oriented businesses; (6) wished Don Pitkin a speedy recovery.


ADJOURNMENT

MOTION  By Bill Horan (on behalf of Don Pitkin)
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to adjourn (10:40 p.m.).
                Motion carried 8/0.


The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on February 5, 2008.






                                        Attest________________________________
                                                        Angela M. Attenello
                                                          TOWN COUNCIL CLERK