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02-19-08 Regular Meeting
EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

FEBRUARY 19, 2008

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

ABSENT  Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin


CALL TO ORDER

Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:32 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.


AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to add, under New Business, Item 9. G. Recommendation from
                Tax Policy Committee re: Building Fee Waiver – Cellu Tissue.
                Motion carried 7/0.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS

Susan Skowronek, 84 Syracuse Drive, spoke in favor of the building fee waiver for Cellu Tissue. Ms. Skowronek also read a letter from Cellu Tissue that had been presented to the town's Economic Development Commission.
Roger Coleman, 22 Kenneth Drive, spoke against the building fee waiver for Cellu Tissue.

Robert Pasek, 403 Burnside Avenue, spoke against the State taking of Burnside Avenue.

Mayor Currey addressed the Council on the following: (1) strongly supports the new Hockanum River Commission ordinance; (2) stated that the Cemetery Advisory Board unanimously supports the new cemetery fee schedule; (3) the Mayor's Ball, which is March 8th, is a charity event (not town-sponsored event) and both Circle of Life-Arts for All and the East Hartford Interfaith Ministries will be this year's recipients of all proceeds.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

February 5, 2008 Executive Session/Coleman Levy & Commissioner of Transportation

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Pat Harmon
                        to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2008 Executive
                        Session/Coleman Levy & Commissioner of Transportation.
                        Motion carried 7/0.
                
January 2, 2008 Regular Meeting  

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Don Pitkin
                        to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2008 Regular Meeting.
                        Motion carried 7/0.


OLD BUSINESS

See Council Action on Executive Session Matters, Item 11.A.



NEW BUSINESS

Recommendation from Ordinance Committee re: Section 2-113c, Hockanum River Commission

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Marc Weinberg
                to amend the East Hartford Code of Ordinances by adding a new
                Section 2-113c, entitled The Hockanum River Commission
                that is consistent with the draft of the proposed ordinance dated
                January 20, 2008 (see below), and unanimously approved by the
                Ordinance Committee.
                Motion carried 7/0.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE REGARDING THE HOCKANUM RIVER COMMISSION
(January 20, 2008)

The code of ordinances for the town of East Hartford is amended by adding a new section 2-113c as follows:     

Sec. 2-113c (a)   There is established a Hockanum River Commission, consisting of nine members, at least seven of whom shall be electors of the town of East Hartford, and no more than two of whom may be residents of other towns in Connecticut. Members shall serve a term of three years.

(b)  The commission shall, in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Director, develop and implement projects to improve the Hockanum River within the town of East Hartford and operate programs to encourage the use and appreciation of the Hockanum River.  No project or program of the commission shall be implemented without the approval of the Parks and Recreation Director.

Recommendation from Real Estate Acquisition and Disposition Committee re: 269-299 Ellington Road, aka, School Street Square – School Street Plaza, LLC.

MOTION  By Jason Rojas
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                to rescind the motion passed by the East Hartford Town Council on
                February 5, 2008 regarding the conveyance of land and an easement from
                Woodgreen Management, Inc. for School Street Square.
                Motion carried 7/0.

MOTION  By Jason Rojas
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to accept the conveyance of land and an easement to the town from
                School Street Plaza, LLC for School Street Square.
                Motion carried 7/0.

Refund of Taxes

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                to refund taxes in the amount of $8, 425.11
                pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
                Motion carried 7/0.

Memorandum
DATE:   February 26, 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
Environmental Office Sol
45 Belden St
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-03-62002
247.42
Overpayment
Marker # 654UKV
First American Real Estate Tax Service
ATTN: Tax Refunds
PO Box 961250
Fort Worth, TX 76161-9887
2006-01-2447
2066.88
Overpayment
157-159 Burnside Avenue
First American Real Estate Tax Service
ATTN: Tax Refunds
PO Box 961250
Fort Worth, TX 76161-9887
2006-01-8179
1692.31
Incorrect Town
36 Westbrook Street
GE Capital Information Tech Solutions Inc
PO Box 1920
Danbury, CT 06813-1920
2006-02-40715
943.82
Assessor’s Adjustment
Unique ID # PPG01094
Harting, Michelle
37 Rivermead Blvd
East Hartford, CT 06118-2546
2006-03-66755
148.51
Overpayment
Marker # 209NTB
Murphy, Irene
434 School St
East Hartford, CT 06108-1149
2006-04-86245
343.86
Overpayment
Marker # MN5639
Pazdelavega, Lauren
163-16 25th Ave
Whitestone, NY 11357-4059
2006-01-8579
15.00
Overpayment
233 Ellington Road Unit 312
Pelletier, Cynthia
46 Amato Dr
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-01-11313
2551.43

Overpayment
46 Amato Drive
Pottabathula, Madhu B
200 Nutmeg Lane Apt # 214
East Hartford, CT 06118-1237
2006-03-80596
107.45
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 445UOZ
Sparks, Stephen
25 Elmer St
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-04-88538
10.51
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 445UYW
The Willows LLC
PO Box 681
Orange, CT 06477
2005-01-6440
297.92
Overpayment
441 Main Street Lot # 901
TOTAL
8425.11

_____________________
Patricia Faucher, CCMC

Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: Extension of Silver Lane Cemetery

MOTION  By Jason Rojas
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the issue
                of the extension of Silver Lane Cemetery.
                Motion carried 7/0.

Recommendation from Fees Committee re: Cemetery Fees Schedule

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the proposed fee schedule for Burial Plots, Grave
Openings Cost, and miscellaneous fees as presented by the Mayor and
members of the Cemetery Advisory Committee in a memo from Public Works Director Billy Taylor dated March 13, 2007 (see below) with an effective date of Wednesday, April 30, 2008, provided that disinterment and re-interment fees are waived for any person who purchased a plot in Silver Lane Cemetery and must be buried temporarily in other areas of such cemetery.
Motion carried 7/0.


M E M O R A N D U M

DATE:           13 March 2007

TO:                     Melody A Currey, Mayor

FROM:                   Billy G. Taylor, P.E., Director of Public Works

RE:                     Cemetery Fees
____________________________________________________________________________

At its 1 March 2007 meeting, the Cemetery Advisory Committee recommended a number of changes in the fees charged for burial plots, grave openings, disinterments and recording as shown below.  If you concur, please refer the proposed fees to the Town Council for its consideration.

Burial Plots


Traditional
Cremation
Infant*
Indigent
Veteran**
Proposed
$750
$200
$200
N/C
N/C
Existing
$400
$50
$50
N/C
N/C
        
        *   Up to a 48” vault
        ** Also applies to veteran’s spouse

Grave Opening Costs


Traditional
Cremation
Infant
Indigent
Veteran
Proposed Resident
$750
$200
$200
$200*
$750
Proposed Non-Resident
$1,200
$300
$300
N/A
N/A
Existing
$400
$30
$30
$200
$200

        *   No monument may be installed unless the Town is paid the applicable non-indigent fee

Miscellaneous Fees


Disinterments
Recording Fee
Overtime Cost*
Proposed
$750
No charge
$420
Existing
$400
$10
$100

        *   Applies to weekdays after 3 P.M. and Saturdays after 12 Noon.       

        

Acceptance of the Meadow Lane Subdivision re: Footpath Lane and Cartway Lane as Town Roads

MOTION  By Jason Rojas
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                to accept Footpath Lane and Cartway Lane as town roads as
                recommended by the East Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission at its
                February 13, 2008 meeting.
                Motion carried 7/0.

Recommendation from Tax Policy Committee re: Building Fee Waiver - Cellu Tissue

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                seconded by Marc Weinberg
                to adopt the following resolution:

Whereas; Cellu Tissue has been an East Hartford business and a great neighbor since the 1700’s, and

Whereas; the proposed waiver of fees, if approved, would allow Cellu Tissue to move forward on their proposed major reinvestment in their manufacturing facility, which is an investment that is aimed at reducing the energy costs associated with the papermaking process, and

Whereas; the project is estimated at $6 million for the installation of a 3.0 megawatt electrical generator driven by a natural gas engine, reducing their yearly energy costs by $1,800,000 per year, and

Whereas; the project will allow Cellu Tissue to continue to thrive in East Hartford and remain competitive in their respective market; and

Whereas; the one-time fee waiver not to exceed $90,000 will bring an additional $180,000 of new tax dollars to the town of East Hartford annually.

Now therefore be it resolved, that the Town Council approve the waiver of inspections and permits fees associated with Cellu Tissue's $6 Million project.  Such waiver shall not exceed $90,000.

On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.


OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION

None


COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS

Commissioner of Transportation v. Town of East Hartford (postponed from February 5, 2008 meeting)

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to postpone action until further notice from the Mayor regarding the
                issue of Commissioner of Transportation v. Town, the State
                taking of Route 44, Burnside Avenue.
                Motion carried 7/0.


Eastbrook Towers, LLC v. Town of East Hartford

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 Eastbrook Towers, LLC v. Town of East
                Hartford, Docket No. HHB-CV-07-4014655-S, and to authorize the Town
                Assessor to reduce the fair market value of the property located at 40
                Cumberland Drive, owned by Eastbrook Towers, LLC, to the sum of
                $2,000,000.00, 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.


Eastbrook Towers, LLC 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 Eastbrook Towers, LLC v. Town of East
                Hartford, Docket No. HHB-CV-07-4014654-S, and to authorize the Town
                Assessor to reduce the fair market value of the property located at 80
                Simmons Road, owned by Eastbrook Towers, LLC, to the sum of
                $2,000,000.00, 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.




96 Silver Lane, LLC v. Town of East Hartford

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 96 Silver Lane, LLC v. Town of East Hartford
                and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the fair market value of the
                property located at 96 Silver Lane, owned by 96 Silver Lane, LLC, to the
                sum of $2,105,000.00, 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.


Steven Camp v. Town of East Hartford

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Marc Weinberg
                to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel to fully and finally
                settle the case entitled Steven M. Camp v. Town of East Hartford, for the
                total sum of $12,000.00.
                Motion carried 7/0.


Saxon Comstock Partners, LLC 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 Saxon Comstock Partners, LLC v. Town of
                East Hartford and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the fair market
                value of the property located at 2 Orchard Street, owned by Saxon
                Comstock Partners, LLC, to the sum of $765,000.00, 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.



OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK

Ram Aberasturia, 36 Eric Way, spoke in favor of a Youth Task Force Coordinator position.

Roger Coleman, 22 Kenneth Drive, spoke against the building fee waiver that was granted to Cellu Tissue this evening.



ADJOURNMENT

MOTION  By Eric Thompson
                seconded by Marc Weinberg
                to adjourn (8:25 p.m.).
                Motion carried 7/0.


The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on March 4, 2008.





                                        Attest________________________________
                                                        Angela M. Attenello
                                                          TOWN COUNCIL CLERK