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04-01-08 Regular Meeting Minutes
EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

APRIL 1, 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, Jason Rojas, Barbara-Ann Rossi, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:37 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.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS

John S. Majdan, 34 Northbrook Court, spoke in support of Item 9. D., Renewable Energy Use by Town and Residents.

Cindy Woodman, 61 Dartmouth Drive, spoke in favor of the Grandparents as Primary Caregivers grant.  Additionally, Ms. Woodman urged the Council and the residents of the town to support Bill #66 that is in front of the state legislature which would give grandparents, who are responsible for a grandchild, the same right to state financial assistance as non-relative foster parents.

Mayor Currey (1) spoke to the Council on a recent article in the Hartford Courant regarding development at Rentschler Field; (2) announced that she will be addressing the state’s tree wardens at Cabela’s this Thursday; (3) the hotel on Pitkin Street is moving forward.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

March 18, 2008 Executive Session/Ergle, EH Founders & Commissioner of Transportation

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Don Pitkin
                        to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2008 Executive Session/ Ergle,
                        EH Founders & Commissioner of Transportation.
                        Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Rojas
                
March 18, 2008 Public Hearing/Fence Regulations & Dispensing of Alcohol Ordinances  

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                        to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2008 Public Hearing/Fence
                        Regulations & Dispensing of Alcohol Ordinances.
                        Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Rojas

March 18, 2008 Regular Meeting  

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Pat Harmon
                        to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2008 Regular Meeting.
                        Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Rojas


RESOLUTIONS

Grocery Delivery Grant

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                        seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                        to adopt the following resolution:

That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $7,500 and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a funding agreement and any amendments as may be required with the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for the purposes of administering a grocery delivery to elderly residents program.

On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.


Grandparents as Primary Caregivers

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                        to adopt the following resolution:

That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $3,465 and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a funding agreement and any amendments as may be required with the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for the purposes of administering a grandparents as primary caregivers program for elderly residents.

On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.


Live Long, Live Well Program Grant

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                        seconded by Jason Rojas
                        to adopt the following resolution:

That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $8,000 and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a funding agreement and any amendments as may be required with the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for the purposes of administering a health and wellness education program for elderly residents.

On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.


COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Pat Jones, the Town’s Librarian, and Tom Rup, Chair of the Library Commission, gave a
brief presentation to the Council on the renovations at Raymond Library and the proposed
addition to the library.  Mary Martin, Grants Administrator, announced that the town is the
recipient of the Historic Preservation Award for the adaptive re-use of the second floor
room at Raymond Library.  Both Mr. Jones and Mr. Rup invited all to attend the grand
opening of the second floor of the library on Wednesday, April 9th at 7:00 P.M.


NEW BUSINESS

Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: 15 Hilltop Lane

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the issue of the taxes that have accrued on property at 15 Hilltop Lane in the Rolling Meadows subdivision off Silver Lane and whether the town should take possession of this land with instructions to review the issue and to report back to the Town Council with it’s recommendation.
Motion carried 9/0.


Referral to Fees Committee re: Parks & Recreation Department’s Resident and Non-resident Fee Schedule

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Barbara Rossi
to refer to the Fees Committee the issue of whether to charge non-residents a fee to permit them to participate in youth sports in town with
instructions to review the issue and to report back to the Town Council with its recommendation.
Motion carried 9/0.

Refund of Taxes

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to refund taxes in the amount of $67,348.93
                pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
                Motion carried 9/0.

Memorandum
DATE:   April 7, 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
96 Silver Lane LLC
670 White Plains Rd Suite 310
Scarsdale, NY 10583
2006-01-123
1264.20
Assessor’s Adjustment
96 Silver Lane
Arrindell, Sandra
53 Ensign St
East Hartford, CT 06118-1813
2006-03-51545
81.88
Overpayment
Marker # 215SRG

Barco, Walter Jr
55 Burnside Ave
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-04-80629
15.59
Overpayment
Marker # 63CD60
Brothers Oil Company
486 School St
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-01-00087
97.65
Overpayment
486 School Street
Burke J T and Sons
254 Burnside Ave
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-03-54937
794.56
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 427TRL
Caron, Peter & Jayne
31 Scott St
East Hartford, CT 06118
2006-01-9379
28.11
Overpayment
31 Scott Street
Cormier, Margaret
22 Cree Rd
East Hartford, CT 06118
2006-01-3114
385.31
Overpayment
22 Cree Road

Cunningham, John
92 Quail Run Rd
Suffield, CT 06078
2001-01-3281
51.16
Overpayment
929 Burnside Ave Gar #15
DEG Associates
Property Management
300 East River Dr
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-01-1368
4398.24
Overpayment
102 Cherry Street
Diaz, Enoc
50 Eleanor Rd
East Hartford, CT 06108
2004-01-3908
1779.69
Overpayment
50 Eleanor Road
First American Commercial
Real Estate Services, Inc.
PO Box 167928
Irving, TX 75016-7928
2004-01-11355
69.45
Overpayment
115 Michael Ave
First American Commercial
Real Estate Services, Inc.
PO Box 167928
Irving, TX 75016-7928
2006-01-11357
1360.46
Assessor’s Adjustment
322-342 Park Avenue
First American Commercial
Real Estate Services, Inc.
PO Box 167928
Irving, TX 75016-7928
2006-01-11353
206.96
Assessor’s Adjustment
34 Deerfield Court

First American Commercial
Real Estate Services, Inc.
PO Box 167928
Irving, TX 75016-7928
2006-01-11354
530.96
Assessor’s Adjustment
35 Deerfield Court
First American Commercial
Real Estate Services, Inc.
PO Box 167928
Irving, TX 75016-7928
2006-01-11355
265.48
Assessor’s Adjustment
38 Deerfield Court
First American Commercial
Real Estate Services, Inc.
PO Box 167928
Irving, TX 75016-7928
2006-01-11356
46468.20
Overpayment
115 Michael Avenue
First American Real Estate
Tax Service
1 First American Way
Mail Code: DFW 1-3
Westlake, TX 76262
Attn: Tax Refunds
2006-01-12216
1237.85
Overpayment
163-165 Woodlawn Circle
First American Real Estate
Tax Service
1 First American Way
Mail Code: DFW 1-3
Westlake, TX 76262
Attn: Tax Refunds
2005-01-5954
1656.04
Overpayment
184 Greenwood Street
Hardy, Annie
155 Henderson Dr
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-03-66530
35.21
Overpayment
Marker # 770UJL
Knapp, John J
115 Hartz Ln
East Hartford, CT 06118-1721
2005-03-70487
200.65 + 42.14
Tax + Interest
242.79
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 101MEJ
Lopez, Vincent & Beryle
44 Temple Dr
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-01-8748
14.10
Overpayment
44 Temple Drive
Marcinczyk, Michael
46 Buena Vista Dr
East Hartford, CT 06118-3075
2006-03-73538
91.82
Assessor’s Adjustment
Marker # 151KPO
Northeast Auto Machine LLC
404 Tolland St
East Hartford, CT 06108
2006-02-41831
2006-01-02322
797.71+4,586.61
5,384.32
Overpayment
Unique ID # PPN02618
404 Tolland Street
Silvester, Mary A
314 Marlborough Rd
Glastonbury, CT 06033
2006-01-13452
2006-01-13451
402.00+486.90
888.90
Assessor’s Adjustment
2-2A Lincoln Street
37-39 Charles Street
TOTAL
67,348.93

_____________________
Patricia Faucher, CCMC


Renewable Energy Use by Town and Residents

Robert Wall, Director of Energy Market Initiatives for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, briefly spoke to the Council and updated them on the original presentation that was delivered in May 2007.  Mr. Wall reviewed the three steps in becoming a clean energy community: (1) passing a resolution committing to purchase 20% of the town’s municipal electricity use from clean renewable energy resources; (2) to encouraging sign-up for the Connecticut Clean Energy electricity options; (3) purchasing clean renewable energy resources.

Beth Byron, Project Associate with Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, also addressed the Council on incentives that are offered to town residents for their participation in purchasing clean renewable energy resources.


Recommendation from Fees Committee:

ERASE (East of the River Action for Substance-Abuse Elimination)

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Jason Rojas
                                to approve a 3-year lease for ERASE (East of the River Action for
                                Substance-Abuse Elimination) for 1,343.5 SF located at the former
                                McCartin School, beginning on August 18, 2008 through August 17, 2011
                                for $3.19/SF and reimburse the Town of East Hartford for a portion of the
                                cost of utilities based on the amount of leased space.
                                Motion carried 9/0.

YMCA

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                                to approve a 3-year lease for the YMCA of 5,144 SF located at the former
                                McCartin School for their child care programs; beginning August 18, 2008
                                through August 17, 2011 for $2.27/SF and to reimburse the Town of East
                                Hartford for a portion of utilities based on the amount of leased space.
                                Motion carried 9/0.

Friends of Center Cemetery

MOTION          By Marc Weinberg
                                seconded by Bill Horan
                                to approve the renewal of a lease for the Friends of Center Cemetery, Inc.
                                for 763 SF located at the former McCartin School beginning
                                August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2011 for $1.00 per year with no charges
                                for utility consumption.
                                Motion carried 9/0.

ChildPlan,Inc.

MOTION          By Marc Weinberg
                                seconded by Eric Thompson
                                to approve the lease for ChildPlan, Inc. for 672 SF on the south side of the
                                East Hartford Cultural Community Center for $1.50 SF ($84.00/month)
                                beginning April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2011.

MOTION          By Don Pitkin
                                seconded by Eric Thompson
                                to amend the motion as follows:
                                “…through March 31, 2011 with an increase of $.15/SF for the second
                                year ($1.65/SF) and an increase of $.15/SF for the third year
                                ($1.80/SF).”
                                Motion carried 8/0.  Abstain: Kehoe

On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Kehoe

Recommendation from Personnel & Pensions Subcommittee re: Youth Task Force Coordinator/Project Manager

MOTION          By Jason Rojas
                                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the job description for the Youth Task Force Coordinator/Project Manager as a contractual position with salary and health benefits not exceeding $70,000 annually.  Such position will have a duration not to extend beyond June 30, 2010 unless further extended by the Town Council.

MOTION  By Don Pitkin
                seconded by Jason Rojas
                to amend the motion as follows:
                “….and to delete the following words in the job description (note words
deleted are bracketed:
                Position Definition: …receives policy direction from the Director of Youth
Services [and/or Youth Task Force Steering Committee].
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  Reports work accomplished to Director of
Youth Services [and/or Steering Committee].
Motion carried 9/0.

On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 6/3. Nay: Pitkin, Harmon, Thompson.



OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION

None

OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK

Patrick Sanzo, 23 Risley Street, favors a pay raise for East Hartford police officers. Additionally, Mr. Sanzo supports the most recent referral to the Ordinance Committee on regulating adult entertainment.

The Mayor thanked the Council for their approval of the Youth Task Force Coordinator/Project Manager position.


ADJOURNMENT

MOTION  By Don Pitkin
                seconded by Bill Horan
                to adjourn (9:37 p.m.).
                Motion carried 9/0.


The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on April 15, 2008.




                                        Attest________________________________
                                                        Angela M. Attenello
                                                          TOWN COUNCIL CLERK