TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
TAX POLICY COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 19, 2008
PRESENT Councilors Marc Weinberg and Eric Thompson
ABSENT William P. Horan, Jr., Chair
ALSO
PRESENT Christopher R. Fiedler, Mill Manager, Cellu Tissue Corporation
Michael Walsh, Finance Director
Jeanne Webb, Development Director
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Rich Kehoe, Town Council Chair
Marcia Leclerc, Town Council Majority Leader
Barbara Rossi, Town Councillor
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chair Weinberg called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 29, 2008
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the January 29, 2008
Motion carried 2/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Cellu Tissue – Building Fee Waiver
Jeanne Webb, the Development Director, addressed the Council on the history of the fee waiver for Cellu Tissue. Ms. Webb stated that Cellu Tissue had contacted the town about a year ago to discuss moving forward with a co-generation plant. The received approvals from the Planning and Zoning, but found that they were over budget for this project with their corporate office. They appealed to the town's Economic Development Commission, which did support Cellu Tissue's project and their request for some financial assistance. The only waiver that Cellu Tissue is seeking would be a building fee waiver from the Inspections and Permits department.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to recommend to the Town Council 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.
Motion carried 2/0.
Delinquent Taxes – 3.64 acre parcel Bantle Road area
Rich Gentile, the town's Assistant Corporation Counsel, initiated a general discussion regarding the history of the Bantle Road area subdivision. Attorney Gentile explained that the town never accepted the offer of open space from the developer and that the town has held on to the deed of such open space since 1996. The subdivision approval sets forth very clearly that if the town rejects the offer of the open space, the property is to be split between the two abutting landowners (lots 8 and 9), which would make their lots larger. Since it has never been formally rejected, the town taxes have accrued since 1996 to the sum of approximately $10,000.00. Attorney Gentile suggested that the town contact the developer to see if the abutting property owners want this property.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by
to refer back to the Real Estate Acquisition and Disposition Committee
with the recommendation that such Committee should waive the accruing
property taxes and that such committee should explore the possibility of
retaining the property as open space or explore interest in the property by
the abutting property owners.
Motion carried 2/0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adjourn (5:59 p.m.)
Motion carried 2/0.
cc: Town Council
Mayor Currey
Mike Walsh, Finance Director
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Jeanne Webb, Director of Development
| 
