EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 18, 2008
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc, Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Barbara-Ann Rossi, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson
ABSENT Councillor Jason Rojas
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:30 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 Bill Horan
to add, under Communications, the following item:
Update from Development Director Jeanne Webb re: Economic
Development in the Town.
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, asked (1) that the Council not vote on the Supervisors’ Contract and that a public hearing be held prior to approving this contract; (2) that the Council pass an ordinance requiring a public hearing prior to the approval of any union contract or pension. Additionally, Ms. Kniep stated that she is not petitioning for budget referendum but would like to have an automatic budget by referendum. Ms. Kniep also stated that she agrees with Governor Rell’s proposal to cap property taxes.
Holly Reed, 93 Michael Avenue, spoke on the proposed fence regulation ordinance, asking the Council to address the aesthetic quality of fences in addition to the composition of materials and height constraints that are in the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Currey addressed the Council on the following: (1) supports the approval of the Supervisors’ contract and thanked all involved for their efforts during the negotiation process; (2) The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was successful; (3) the Mayor’s Ball proceeds will be distributed once all funds have been accounted for, but it should be in excess of $22,000.00; (4) shares everyone’s concern for the status of the economy and hopes that correct decisions will be made at the state and federal levels to get the town and its citizens through this; (5) addressed the concerns of Ms. Reed for an existing fence in the Park Avenue area and stated that her office and the Inspections and Permits Department have been working with the homeowner to help abate this issue.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 4, 2008 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Don Pitkin
to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
March 5, 2008 Public Hearing/2008-2009 Budget
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2008 Public Hearing/2008-2009
Budget.
Motion carried 8/0.
March 11, 2008 Special Meeting/2008-2009 Budget
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2008 Special Meeting/2008-2009
Budget.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Update from Development Director Jeanne Webb re: Economic Development in the Town
Jeanne Webb, the Development Director, gave the Council a power-point presentation which highlighted the different venues of the Development Department: New Business, New Development, Main Street Redevelopment, Industrial Parks, and Silver Lane Redevelopment. Ms. Webb briefly summarized examples of what each venue represents to the development of the town.
OLD BUSINESS
See Council Action on Executive Session Matter, Item 11. B
NEW BUSINESS
AFSCME Local 818-Supervisor’s Union Collective Bargaining Agreement
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the AFSCME Local 818 – Supervisor’s Union Collective
Bargaining Agreement dated from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012.
Motion carried 8/0.
Once fully executed, a copy of this contract will follow these minutes
Municipal Flood and Erosion Control Board
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
that the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford hereby agrees to act
as the Municipal Flood and Erosion Control Board for the Town of East
Hartford pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes section 25-84, et. seq.
Motion carried 8/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $4,447.97
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Memorandum
DATE: March 25, 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 |
Aurora Loan Services First American Real Estate Tax Ser PO Box 961250 Fort Worth, TX 76161-9887 |
2006-01-6099 |
2365.86 |
Overpayment 322 Maple Street |
Casas, Saul and Knapp, Shelby 80 Bliss Street East Hartford, CT 06108 |
2006-03-56313 |
36.66 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 777UZK |
Chopus, Robin M or Chopus, Joseph 48 Andrew Dr East Hartford, CT 06108 |
2005-03-57151
2006-03-57042
|
43.62 +36.12 79.74 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 521PPH
|
Degraffenreaidt, Willie M 125 Sawka Dr East Hartford, CT 06118-1324 |
2006-04-82367 |
210.49 |
Overpayment Marker # 265UGD
|
Financial Ser Veh Trust 5550 Britton Pkwy Hilliard, OH 43026 |
2006-03-62699 |
342.24 |
Assessor’s Adjustmemt VIN # WBAEU33474PR10006 |
Gentles, Sarah 31 Bragg St East Hartford, CT 06108-2206 |
2006-04-83408 |
29.84 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 393UXJ |
Lee, Janet M 8 Sioux Rd East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-04-85204 |
52.37 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 831PAN |
Passaro, Stephen PO Box 32156 Tucson, AZ 85751 |
2004-03-79325 |
73.96 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 597RCM |
Phillips, Rashina A 200 Nutmeg Ln Apt 232 East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-91830 |
226.93 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 282TNA |
Porter, David G or Porter, Donna T 152 Leverich Dr East Hartford, CT 06108-1440 |
2002-03-80165 2002-03-80166 231.22 + 109.62 |
340.84 |
Overpayment Marker # BOZIE # 425EVY |
Richelieu, Susan 17 Olmsted St East Hartford, CT 06108-2255 |
2006-03-81954 |
106.67 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 957UHR |
Shaw’s Supermarket Inc. # 7606 C/O Tax Department PO Box 20 Boise, ID 83726 |
2005-02-41487 |
570.12 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Unique ID # PPS02615 |
West, Pamela L 30 Nutmeg Lane #208 East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-90386 |
12.25 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 314SPJ |
TOTAL |
|
4447.97 |
|
Patricia Faucher, CCMC
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: Memorial Day Parade
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application of the East
Hartford Patriotic Commission to hold the Memorial Day Parade
on Monday, May 26, 2008 from 10:30 A.M. to approximately
12:00 noon in accordance with Town Ordinance Section 5-1(b),
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 8/0.
Corporation Counsel re: Bid Waiver – Christopher Italia, Appraiser
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
that the Town Council waive the bidding procedures in accordance with
Section 10-7(c) of the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances and hire
Christopher Italia to appraise the property at 20 Hartland Street in East
Hartford.
Motion carried 8/0.
Recommendation from Ordinance Committee re:
Fence Regulations – Subdivision (17) of Section 7-8
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to repeal subdivision (17) of Section 7-8 of the Town of East Hartford Code
of Ordinances and to substitute in lieu thereof a new subdivision (17)
concerning fences consistent with the proposed draft dated January 28,
2008 that was unanimously recommended by the Ordinance Committee.
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to amend the motion as follows:
“…and to adopt the proposed ordinance but to also refer the ordinance
back to the Ordinance Committee for further review regarding the issue of
chain link fence slats.”
Motion carried 8/0.
On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 8/0.
Dispensing of Alcohol in Town Parks – Section 14-7 and subdivision (13) of Section 14-10
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to repeal Section 14-7 and subdivision (13) of Section 14-10 of the Town
of East Hartford Code of Ordinances and to substitute in lieu thereof a new
Section 14-7 and a new subdivision (13) of Section 14-10 concerning
the dispensing of alcohol in town parks consistent with the proposed draft
dated February 29, 2008 that was unanimously recommended by the
Ordinance Committee.
Motion carried 8/0.
Inspections & Permits Department re: Demolition of 483-485 Burnside Avenue:
Bid Waiver
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the bid waiver requested by the Inspections & Permits
Department for the demolition of 483-485 Burnside Avenue.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Don Pitkin
to amend the motion as follows:
“…and award the bid to Manafort Brothers for $72,000.00.”
Motion carried 8/0.
On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 8/0.
Transfer from Contingency
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION CONCERNING A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND FUND BALANCE TRANSFER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2008 TO FUND THE DEMOLITION OF 483-485 BURNSIDE AVENUE
WHEREAS, a demolition order has been issued by the Town of East Hartford on 483-485 Burnside Avenue, and
WHEREAS, the town has contacted the various property owners and the bank holding the mortgage on this property with no success in an effort to force them to repair the significant deficiencies that exist with respect to this property, and
WHEREAS, in order to expediently secure the site on which this blighted property exists, the town is forced to demolish this building and affix a lien upon the land records of the town to secure a recovery of costs associated with this demolition, and
WHEREAS, the town will hire, using the lowest responsible quote taken from a list of three received, a demolition firm to complete the task.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Hartford Town Council does hereby approve this Supplemental Budget Appropriation of funds in the amount of $72,000 from the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance for the purpose of funding the aforementioned item and does hereby amend the current 2007-2008 fiscal year Operating Budget to reflect the addition of the attached Supplemental Revenue Appropriation and Expenditure Appropriation.
G0320-55900 Fund Balance Appropriation $ 72,000
G6100-64520 Inspections - Demolition $ 72,000
Funds certified as unobligated and available.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
None
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Alan and Janis Ergle 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 Alan D. Ergle and Janis N. Ergle v. Town of
East Hartford and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the fair
market value of the property located at 5 Baypath Drive, owned by Alan D.
Ergle and Janis N. Ergle., to the sum of $307,000.00, 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 plaintiff has elected to receive a
refund of any such taxes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Commissioner of Transportation v. Town of East Hartford (postponed from the February 19, 2008 meeting)
No action taken at this time.
East Hartford Founders, LLC and Bank of America v. Town of East Hartford
No action taken at this time.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
At this point, Councillor Thompson wished all a Happy Easter.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:13 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on April 1, 2008.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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