EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JULY 8, 2008
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Jason Rojas, Barbara-Ann Rossi, and Eric Thompson
ABSENT Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc and Councillor Patricia Harmon
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:36 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 Bill Horan
seconded by Jason Rojas
to add item 9.G. Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition
Committee re: Proposed Lease between the Town and the Raymond
Library Company.
Motion carried 7/0.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Jonathan Daube Day
Prior to the reading of the following proclamation, Mayor Currey praised Mr. Daube for his accomplishments during his tenure as President of Manchester Community College.
Be it hereby known to all that East Hartford Mayor Melody A. Currey and members of the East Hartford Town Council hereby proclaim
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
JONATHAN DAUBE DAY
In the Town of East Hartford
We thank him for his dedicated twenty years at Manchester Community College and express our appreciation for all his service to the residents of East Hartford who have benefited from his educational leadership.
On behalf of the citizenry of the Town of East Hartford, we hereby extend our best wishes for a long, healthy
and happy retirement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we place our hands and cause the seal of the Town of East Hartford to be affixed
this eighth day of July, Two-Thousand and Eight.
Mr. Daube thanked the Mayor and looked forward to continuing his longstanding relationship with the town. He introduced Dr. Gena Glickman, the recently appointed president of Manchester Community College, who expressed her wish for the town’s support in her future endeavors.
Beautification Commission: June 2008 Awards
Pat Sirois, the Chair of the Beautification Commission, presented the June award for outstanding residential landscaping to the Carvey Family of 222 Colby Drive and for outstanding business landscaping to MPL Enterprises of 28-30 Connecticut Boulevard.
The Chair thanked the recipients for their efforts in making East Hartford a more beautiful place to live.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, 37 Greene Terrace, Chair of the East Hartford Board of Education, spoke in favor of item 9.A. Appropriation from Fund Balance for the Early Reading Success Program. Additionally, Ms. Dwyer-Hughes recognized the following people who were present to speak on this and other issues: Dr. Marion Martinez, Superintendent of Schools; Al Costa, Facilities Manager; members of the Board of Education – Ram Aberasturia, Anita Morrison, Dorese Roberts and Marcus Oladell, IV.
Mayor Currey addressed the Council on (1) the success of Riverfest; (2) several other summer activities, including the Hartford Symphony Pops on August 9th; and (3) the viewing of the tall ship, Half Moon, which docked at the Goodwin College River Campus along Riverside Drive.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 17, 2008 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 7/0.
July 1, 2008 Executive Session/Master’s Club & Pitkin St. Entertainment
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2008 Executive Session/Master’s
Club & Pitkin Street Entertainment.
Motion carried 7/0.
RESOLUTIONS
2008 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, has $14,618 in funding available to the Town of East Hartford under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program; and
WHEREAS, these funds may be used to support all components of the Criminal Justice System with no required cash match by the Town of East Hartford; and
WHEREAS, the East Hartford Police Department desires to use these funds to procure bullet proof vests/tactical body armor with ballistic plates for our Tactical Team.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to, and execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the U.S. Department of Justice as they pertain to this Justice Assistance Grant.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
Preventative Health Grant: Diabetes Self-Care Program
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Jason Rojas
to adopt the following resolution:
That Mayor Melody A. Currey has been empowered to make application to and execute contracts and any amendments thereof, on behalf of the Corporation, between the Corporation and the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health or its
successor agency, concerning a $9,093 Preventive Health grant for diabetes self-care education programs.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant: Emergency Operation Center
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a financial assistance program for Emergency Operations Center (EOC) construction or renovation projects in the amount not to exceed $62,600.00.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
2008-2009 Urban Crime and Community Safety (UCCS) Grant Program
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Don Pitkin
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut Urban Crime and Community Safety Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 has federal U.S. Department of Justice funds set aside for the Town of East Hartford in the amount of $40,000; and
WHEREAS, these funds may be used to support proactive law enforcement activities and patrols in the community, with no required cash match by the Town of East Hartford; and
WHEREAS, the East Hartford Police Department desires to use these funds for these purposes and to enhance programs undertaken by the East Hartford Youth Services Bureau through the Youth Task Force to address the needs of youth in our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to, and execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management as they may pertain to this Urban Crime and Community Safety Grant.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Podunk Music Festival Update
Paul O’Connell, President of the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival, updated the Council
on the upcoming performances which will be held from July 31st through August 3rd. Also,
Cathie Condio, Treasurer of the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival, expressed her full support of the festival and stated that it’s a positive event for East Hartford.
NEW BUSINESS
Board of Education: Appropriation from Fund Balance for the Early Reading Success Program
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION CONCERNING A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND FUND BALANCE TRANSFER OF $400,000 FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2007-2008 BOARD OF EDUCATION EXPENDITURE SURPLUS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET
WHEREAS, the Governor and the Connecticut State Legislature failed to continue a $20.2 million appropriation for the Early Reading Success Program Grant to towns for the current fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford’s share of that grant was $740,000 with the resulting loss in State funding devastating to the Town’s all day kindergarten program; and
WHEREAS, the East Hartford Board of Education considers the continuance of the all day kindergarten program of paramount importance as the town continues its efforts to meet the educational needs of our students; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford Board of Education has returned at least $400,000 in surplus funds to the town as a result of lower costs and increased revenues in the fiscal year 2007-2008 budget; and
WHEREAS, the East Hartford Town Council, with the approval of Mayor Melody A. Currey, has agreed to transfer all of the 2007-2008 Board of Education budget surplus, up to $400,000, for use in the Board of Education’s fiscal year 2008-2009 budget to replace lost State funding to continue the Early Reading Success Program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Hartford Town Council does hereby approve this Supplemental Budget Appropriation and Fund Balance Transfer of funds as listed below from the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance for the purpose of providing additional funding for the Board of Education in fiscal year 2008-2009 and does hereby amend the current 2008-2009 fiscal year Operating Budget to reflect the addition of the attached Supplemental Revenue and Expenditure Appropriation.
G9990-69999 Board of Education $ 400,000
_______________________________________________________________________________________
G0320-55900 Fund Balance Appropriation $ 400,000
Funds certified as unobligated and available.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
Contingency Transfers: Democratic & Republican Primaries
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to transfer funds in the amount of $7,800 from Account #G9600-63492
Reserve for Contingency to Account #G1300-60135 Registrar of Voters –
Election Officials, to pay the proposed costs associated with the upcoming
Democratic and Republican primaries for the 9th Assembly District to be
held on Tuesday, August 12, 2008.
Motion carried 7/0.
Corporation Counsel: Bid Waiver for Harrall-Michalowski Associates, Inc.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Jason Rojas
to waive the bid requirement and to authorize the Town to extend an
agreement with Harrall-Michalowski Associates, Inc. for a contract for
consulting services for possible zoning modification purposes not to
exceed $25,000 without further Town Council approval.
Motion carried 7/0.
Setting a Public Hearing Date of Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM re: Bonding
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to set a public hearing date of Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM in
Council Chambers to hear public comment on the proposed bonds for the
following issues:
1. Resolution Appropriating $12,500,000 for The Planning, Design, Construction &
Reconstruction of Town Roads and authorizing the issuance of $12,500,000 bonds of
the town to meet said appropriation and pending the issuance thereof the making of
temporary borrowings for such purpose;
2. Resolution Appropriating $1,885,000 for various school improvements and authorizing
the issuance of $1,885,000 bonds of the town to meet said appropriation and pending
the issuance thereof the making of temporary borrowings for such purpose; and
3. Resolution appropriating $2,100,000 for the town's grant to the Raymond Library
Association for planning, acquisition and construction of the expansion of Raymond
Library and authorizing the issuance of $2,100,000 bonds of the town to meet the
town's share of said appropriation and pending the issuance thereof the making of
temporary borrowing for such purpose.
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Jason Rojas
to amend the motion as follows:
“3. Resolution appropriating $2,100,000 for the town’s grant to the Raymond
Library Association Company for planning, acquisition…”
Motion carried 7/0.
On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 7/0.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: Property Abutting 244 Lombardo Drive (f.k.a. Meat Town parcel)
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the
issue regarding the proposed transfer of approximately 11.4 acres of land
abutting 244 Lombardo Drive from the State of Connecticut to the Town of East
Hartford with instructions to review the issue and to report back to the
Town Council with its recommendation, if any.
Motion carried 7/0.
Appointments to Board and Commissions
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Jason Rojas
to approve the following appointments:
Commission on Aging
Mary Ann O. Lee
446 Main Street, Apt. 403; term to expire 12/08
Historic District Commission
Robert Pasek, 403 Burnside Avenue; term to expire 12/12
Patriotic Commission
Linda Russo, 235 E. River Drive #608; term to expire 12/10
Motion carried 7/0.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: Proposed Lease between the Town and the Raymond Library Company.
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the
issue of a proposed lease agreement between the town and the
Raymond Library Company relevant to town-owned land adjacent
to the Raymond Library with instructions to review the issue and to
report back to the Town Council with its recommendation, if any.
Motion carried 7/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Don Pitkin asked that the tree limbs on the corner of Oak Street and Rustic Lane be picked up and commented that the lawn at 818 Oak Street needs mowing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:10 p.m.).
Motion carried 7/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on August 5, 2008.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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