TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
740 MAIN STREET
EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
AUGUST 5, 2008
PUBLIC HEARING/BOND REFERENDA
PRESENT 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
ABSENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe
Vice Chair Horan called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.
The following is a copy of a legal notice published in the Tuesday, July 29, 2008 edition of the Hartford Courant.
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The Town Council of the Town of East Hartford will meet in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $12,500,000 FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND 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
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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
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RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $2,100,000 FOR THE TOWN’S GRANT TO
THE RAYMOND LIBRARY COMPANY FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION
AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXPANSION OF RAYMOND LIBRARY AND
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,100,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO
MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE
MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
Copies of said resolutions are on file open to public inspection at the office of the Town Clerk.
The Vice Chair gave a general explanation of each bond issue and the approximate cost to the average taxpayer.
The following citizens came forward to speak:
Cindy Woodman, 61 Dartmouth Drive, spoke in support of the expansion of Raymond Library and gave a brief summary of the history of the land upon which the Raymond Library is located.
Leanne Kiley, 91 Hollister Drive, frequents the Raymond Library since the Hockanum Library has closed. Ms. Kiley enjoys the various children’s programs that are held at the Library. She fully supports the expansion of Raymond Library.
Sherrie Iagulli, 50 Beacon Hill Road, and Wendy Sweller, 28 Beacon Hill Road, while they support the Library, came to show their support of the bond referendum for the roads. Additionally, Ms. Iagulli presented a signature list of neighbors who could not attend tonight’s meeting, but wanted to show their support of the bond referendum for road repairs. Ms. Iagulli also asked that the town place a “No Through Trucks” sign on her street to minimize traffic in her neighborhood.
Charles Casella, 22 Brookline Drive, member of the Library Commission, spoke in favor of the expansion of Raymond Library. The construction of the addition will allow for a more functional young adult section and children’s section with appropriate internet access to greatly enhance the student’s ability to study and conduct necessary research.
Susan Skowronek, 84 Syracuse Drive, with her daughter Mara and her daughter’s friend Kaitlyn Doucette of 60 Alps Drive are all in favor of the expansion of the Raymond Library and supports the bond referendum toward that end. Among other updates, they would like to see a larger young adult section.
Bea Piersa, 181 Oak Street, the Assistant Director of the Raymond Library, presented the Town Council with petitions showing support of the expansion of Raymond Library.
Paul LaRocca, 82 Whiting Road, President of the Friends of the East Hartford Public Library and a teacher at Goodwin College in East Hartford and Manchester Community College, stated that frequently he assigns his students with research work that is mostly available at Raymond Library. Mr. LaRocca believes that the expansion of the Raymond Library will benefit students, both short term and long term, and ultimately the citizens of East Hartford.
Jason Ward, 24 Silver Lane, #2, stated that his mother started bringing him to the library as a young child and that he continued to visit the library through his adult years with research and computer work. He supports the bond referendum for the expansion of Raymond Library.
April Adams Mejia, 109 Mercer Avenue, a home-schooling parent, uses the resources at Raymond Library on an on-going basis. Ms. Mejia fully supports the expansion of the Raymond Library.
Amanda Dougela, 111 Green Manor Drive, came forward to support the bond referendum for the expansion of Raymond Library, as well as the bond referendum for school repairs, specifically for a new roof at O’Connell School.
Tara Meglin, 134 Westerly Terrace, came forward to show her support for the expansion of Raymond Library, as well as the various school repairs.
Karlene Tulier, 38 Sparrowbush Road, supports the expansion of Raymond Library and the replacement of the boiler at Hockanum School. Ms. Tulier attends Raymond Library at least two or three times a week, utilizing the many children’s programs that are hosted at the library.
Eva Salas, 775 Tolland Street, a member of the Friends of the East Hartford Public Library, supports all three bond referenda; the road reconstruction, various school improvements, and the expansion of Raymond Library.
Chu Vu (and daughter), 1061 Silver Lane, moved to town ten years ago and credits the Library in helping him and his family learn English, assisting them in becoming involved in the community and, most importantly, aiding in the educational development of his children. Mr. Vu’s daughter stated “I love the Raymond Library and I support it.“
Lynn Evans, 233 Ellington Road, a relatively new resident to the town, vice president of the Friends of the East Hartford Public Library, praised the staff at the Raymond Library and supports the expansion of the Library.
Andy Kelly, 48 Green Manor Drive, strongly supports all three bond referenda and urges the Town Council to put all three on the ballot in November.
Maria Guzman, 55 Bidwell Avenue, believes that the improvements to the Raymond Library are for the betterment of the children and the entire community.
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, stated that, while she supports the expansion of Raymond Library, she is concerned about the financial impact of all three bonds to the taxpayers of East Hartford. Additionally, Ms. Kniep inquired about the monetary status of the trust that owns the Raymond Library.
Bill Leone, 103 Skyline Drive, President of the Raymond Library Company, came forward in favor of putting the bond issue on the ballot for the expansion of the Raymond Library. Mr. Leone gave a brief explanation of the 99-year lease history of the library. Additionally, Mr. Leone stated that, according to statistics from the State of Connecticut, the square footage of the library for a town the size of East Hartford should be between 45,000 and 50,000 square feet; presently the square footage of Raymond Library is 20,000 square feet.
Tom Rup, 24 Sunset Ridge Drive, Chair of the Library Commission, supports the expansion of Raymond Library. Mr. Rup stated that the State of Connecticut specifies that there should be one square foot per resident. Presently, the library is at one-third of a square foot per resident. The proposed expansion will increase the equation to about two-thirds a square foot per resident, which is the maximum building size for the existing site. The expansion will encompass (1) an expanded children’s section; (2) a new young adult section; (3) expanded stacks, meeting rooms, performing arts section; and (4) possibly the inclusion of the only observatory east of the Connecticut River. Mr. Rup stated that the total cost of the expansion is approximately $6.1-$6.5 million and if the Library is successful in
raising $4 million in private donations, then the town will authorize $2.1 million in bonds.
Kathy Lombardo, 334 Maple Street, had several questions on the financial involvement of the Raymond Library Trust for the Raymond Library. Also, Ms. Lombardo had questions on the financial impact of all three bonds on the taxpayers.
Felix Piersa, 181 Oak Street, agreed that the expansion of the Raymond Library is a necessary expense and by passing the bond referendum, the Council would be doing what is best for the Town of East Hartford and its citizens.
Gary Gold, 55 Saunders Street, a member of the Friends of the East Hartford Public Library, has used the Raymond Library during the three plus years that he has lived in East Hartford. Mr. Gold considers the expansion of the Library as an investment issue, more than a bond issue. He believes that it is an investment in the community and an investment in the town’s youth.
Ollie Jones, 54 Jeffrey Drive, a teacher in the East Hartford school system and a member of the Library Commission, stated that the Library is an important part of the community and holds the future of the town’s children. She supports the bond referendum for the expansion of the Raymond Library.
William Bora, 52 Woodbridge Avenue, supports the expansion of Raymond Library. He cited examples of the encouragement that his family has received from the staff at the Library. He agrees that this particular bond issue is an investment in the future of the town and its youth.
Steve Szkirka, 34 Beacon Hill Road, credits the Raymond Library with the success of his step-daughters’ reading ability. Mr. Szkirka strongly supports the bond issues for the road reconstruction and the expansion of Raymond Library.
Roger Coleman, 22 Kenneth Drive, stated that, at this time, he is against the bond referenda due to poor economic conditions and the possibility of a recession.
Tony Foran, 120 King Street, supports the bond issue for the East Hartford Public Library.
Mr. Foran believes that a library is the heart and soul of a community.
Vice Chair Horan thanked all for coming forward and assured the audience that all members of the Town Council would take their remarks into consideration when deliberating this issue.
There being no further business, the Vice Chair closed the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
Attest________________________
Angela Attenello
Town Council Clerk
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