EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
NOVEMBER 18, 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, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson
ABSENT Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:40 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. Leading the Council in the pledge of allegiance were members from Boy Scout Troop #1, the first Boy Scout troop in the Nation.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to add item 7. F., Holiday Fest Update.
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, spoke on the economic crisis and how it affects the community. Ms. Kniep came up with the following suggestions: (1) zero tax increase; (2) renegotiate existing union contracts to incorporate a wage freeze for two years; (3) delay the bond referenda that recently were approved by the voters; (4) institute a four-day work week for general town employees; (5) carefully monitor overtime pay for public safety employees; (6) monitor and limit the use of town vehicles by town employees; and (7) automatic budget by referendum and a “cap” on property taxes. Additionally, Ms. Kniep suggested that the Council members and the Mayor attend as many state legislative sessions as possible.
Mayor Currey addressed the Council on (1) the road improvement meeting held at Pitkin School with the VHS engineers; (2) the CCM conference that was held this morning suggested that the country is in a recession, not a depression. The Mayor pointed to the fact that she has frozen the town budget and that the Board of Education has joined her in this display of fiscal responsibility; (3) the recognition of the students who volunteered on Election Day and thanked them for a job well done.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 5, 2008 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
RESOLUTIONS
Invasive Plant Grant
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
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, including a project budget and grant award funding agreement, as may be required by the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, concerning a grant not to exceed $10,000 to fund a program that addresses the invasiveness of the Purple Loosestrife plant using biological control methods.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to take item 7. B. Election Day Volunteers out of order.
Motion carried 8/0.
Election Day Volunteers
Lydia Sanabria, 36 Richard Road, is a student at Capitol Community College enrolled in the Human Service Degree Program. To satisfy a community service requirement for her sociology class, Ms. Sanabria asked for volunteers at the high school level to help with processing paperwork at town hall on Election Day. The project was entitled “Engaging the Youth in the Voting Process”. Ms. Sanabria introduced the students to the Council; Quannal Hutchings, Terrance Cauley, Tyrie Brown, Gabriel Smith and Kristoff Smith, who voted in his first election this year. Each student had the opportunity to address the Council on their involvement in this project, which, for all of them, was a very positive experience. Sharon Miller, Town Clerk, attested to the fact that the five young men who volunteered
on Election Day were a big help in assisting the residents of the town.
At this point, the Council returned to the order of the agenda.
Presentation by Jack Martin, Purchasing Agent for the Town of East Hartford and Stanley Staron, Purchasing Agent for the Board of Education
Jack Martin, Purchasing Agent for the Town for the past thirty-three years, gave the Council a history of the creation of the purchasing department, and its functions. Mr. Martin explained that his department is governed by town ordinances and the town charter and gave several examples of how those two elements affect the performance of the purchasing department.
Stanley Staron, Purchasing Agent for the Board of Education, explained that the Board recently approved their purchasing policy to mirror much of that of the town’s purchasing policy. Mr. Staron went on to summarize the duties and responsibilities of the Board’s purchasing department.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Pat Harmon
to take item 7.F. Holiday Fest Update, out of order.
Motion carried 8/0.
Holiday Fest Update
Pat Sirois, 45 Jefferson Lane, Chair of the Beautification Commission, distributed Holiday Fest 2008 brochures and buttons. This year’s theme is “Keeping Our Neighbors Warm” and all proceeds generated by Holiday Fest will be donated to East Hartford’s Fuel Bank.
At this point, the Council returned to the order of the agenda.
Update: 2008-2009 Budget
Mayor Currey introduced Mike Walsh, Finance Director, who presented the Council with a summary of where the town stands financially in the current fiscal year. The town has closed the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 with an approximate $300,000 revenue surplus. Additionally, the total fund balance as of June 30, 2008 is approximately $13.7M.
Regarding the current fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, Mr. Walsh explained that the freeze on budget spending instituted by Mayor Currey would not impact service levels to residents.
Regarding the upcoming budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, Mr. Walsh explained that the Mayor is asking for a 5% “across the board” reduction in all departments’ budgets as a starting point. Mr. Walsh went on to state that the Mayor will ask what services to residents would be impacted if that 5% reduction goes into effect.
Business Week Article: The Best Places to Raise Your Kids 2009
Chair Kehoe referenced an article that was in the publication, Business Week, which ranked East Hartford as the 2nd best place in Connecticut to raise a family. The article explained that the criteria were towns with at least 50,000 residents and a median family income between $40,000 and $100,000. Other considerations were school performance, crime rates, air quality, public safety, with a strong emphasis on amenities and affordability.
Connecticut Family Business of the Year Award: Nursing Services, Inc.
Chair Kehoe announced that the University of Connecticut’s Family Business Program annually recognizes ten businesses that are family-owned in Connecticut. These businesses exemplify core family values and the best of American free enterprise. Nursing Services, Inc., based in East Hartford, was one of the honorees for 2008.
NEW BUSINESS
Bid Waiver: Fire Department – Spare Apparatus Acquisition
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
to waive the bidding requirements pursuant to Section 10-7(c) of
the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances for the purchase of
a spare pumper fire apparatus for the East Hartford Fire Department.
Motion carried 8/0.
Re-appointment to Greater Hartford Transit District: Marilyn Pet
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Jason Rojas
to reappoint Marilyn Pet to the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartford
Transit District; term to expire December 2012.
Motion carried 8/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $21,924.33
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Int |
Over Paid |
07-03-50651 |
ALFF BRIAN G |
1997/666USB/2G1FP22K4V2106787 |
0 |
-17.13 |
07-03-51019 |
AMENTA ANTHONY J |
1987/671TON/1P3BP36D1HC119024 |
0 |
-7.12 |
07-03-51190 |
ANDREWS KIM |
2000/306JYL/2G1WH55KXY9160052 |
0 |
-26.13 |
07-03-51641 |
ARSHA LACHANNA |
1999/876TWT/2HGEJ6616XH590587 |
0 |
-10.36 |
07-03-51874 |
AUTO BODY SUPPLIES AND |
1999/44C464/1GCCS14XXX8152996 |
0 |
-19.16 |
07-03-51899 |
AUTOMTIVE RENTALS INC |
1998/J77686/1FTNE24L4WHC09260 |
0 |
-125.73 |
07-03-52723 |
BEAULIEU DONALD J OR |
2001/471TVE/1FAFP42X01F176736 |
0 |
-19.73 |
07-03-53922 |
BONNENFANT BETTY A |
1989/285WEW/1FABP45E8KF239379 |
0 |
-21.44 |
07-03-54121 |
BOYCE MARCUS |
2000/206NOZ/JN1CA31D0YT733417 |
0 |
-32.46 |
07-03-55495 |
CAMILLE JACQUES |
2001/68835/1GTFG25R711100133 |
0 |
-33.88 |
06-03-55532 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/120SNV/1B3EL46X45N655394 |
0 |
-193.46 |
06-03-55534 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/122SNV/1G2ZG58N574104118 |
0 |
-144.59 |
06-03-55537 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/154TXK/4A3AB36FX5E063948 |
0 |
-30.92 |
06-03-55543 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/175SCE/2G4WC552761293820 |
0 |
-329.95 |
06-03-55544 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/180RUO/1GNEK13T55J187983 |
0 |
-772.98 |
06-03-55547 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/221TXL/1J4GR48K65C696834 |
0 |
-434.24 |
06-03-55550 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/224KEF/1D4HB48N75F604558 |
0 |
-322.11 |
06-03-55553 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/227TXL/2G2WP522051335132 |
0 |
-151.82 |
2006-03-0055557 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/258PHC/KNAGD128365462735 |
0 |
-310.68 |
2006-03-0055558 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/259UNK/KNAGE123765047614 |
0 |
-286.83 |
2006-03-0055563 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/266UNK/1FAFP53U27A112228 |
0 |
-150.74 |
2006-03-0055565 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/268UNK/1FAFP53UX7A112221 |
0 |
-48.22 |
2006-03-0055566 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/269PHC/YV1MS390262191217 |
0 |
-489.25 |
2006-03-0055573 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/274TFC/1GKFK13057R195867 |
0 |
-506.66 |
2006-03-0055574 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/275PHC/2T1BR32E05C477551 |
0 |
-103.03 |
2006-03-0055581 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/290TZW/1GNDT13S752252634 |
0 |
-88.46 |
2006-03-0055584 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/293TFW/JM3LW28A750544059 |
0 |
-140.85 |
2006-03-0055585 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/293TZW/1FMZK04106GA41146 |
0 |
-339.71 |
2006-03-0055599 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/337TZW/1FMEU73E26UB53891 |
0 |
-47.72 |
2006-03-0055600 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/338TZW/KNADE123066052506 |
0 |
-91.42 |
2006-03-0055601 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/339KUB/2FMZA51655BA83849 |
0 |
-357.24 |
2006-03-0055602 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/339TZW/KNDJC733465538867 |
0 |
-233.88 |
2006-03-0055603 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/340TZW/KNDJC733165540852 |
0 |
-350.8 |
2006-03-0055605 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/342TZW/1HGCM56436A128763 |
0 |
-41.82 |
2006-03-0055606 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/343PHY/1LNHM86S95Y641831 |
0 |
-214.64 |
2006-03-0055613 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/351RAK/1G1JC52F657171255 |
0 |
-151.41 |
2006-03-0055614 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/352RAK/2G4WC552071119556 |
0 |
-188.22 |
2006-03-0055619 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/366PHY/KM8SC73D45U888643 |
0 |
-350.22 |
2006-03-0055622 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/384UOB/1G1AK55F777103872 |
0 |
-193.53 |
2006-03-0055624 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/386UOB/1G1AK55F877103962 |
0 |
-193.53 |
2006-03-0055625 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/387UOB/1G1AK55F977101900 |
0 |
-276.5 |
2006-03-0055630 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/392UOB/1G1AK55F777106061 |
0 |
-193.53 |
2006-03-0055633 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/395UOB/1G1AK55F077106595 |
0 |
-165.97 |
2006-03-0055635 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/558TPL/KL1TD56616B641771 |
0 |
-46.27 |
2006-03-0055636 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/559TPL/1FAFP53U06A163094 |
0 |
-56.38 |
2006-03-0055640 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/565TPL/1FAFP53U47A116765 |
0 |
-581.18 |
2006-03-0055642 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/585TEJ/3A4FY48B67T517066 |
0 |
-61.46 |
2006-03-0055645 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/588KLB/1FMEU73E96UB04932 |
0 |
-383.32 |
2006-03-0055646 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/588TEJ/1GNEK13T45J259630 |
0 |
-515.59 |
2006-03-0055653 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/594TPL/1C3EL55R86N189840 |
0 |
-145.07 |
2006-03-0055660 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/648PYP/KM8JN72D96U370133 |
0 |
-197.76 |
2006-03-0055661 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/650URF/1J8HG48K07C505730 |
0 |
-294.3 |
2006-03-0055663 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/651URF/1J8GR48K27C514628 |
0 |
-58.08 |
2006-03-0055664 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/652URF/1J8GR48K07C514627 |
0 |
-105.68 |
2006-03-0055666 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/653URF/1J8GR48K17C514619 |
0 |
-232.96 |
2006-03-0055670 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/657URF/1G1ZT58N97F125655 |
0 |
-386.91 |
2006-03-0055674 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/661URF/2G1WJ15K379132332 |
0 |
-264.76 |
2006-03-0055684 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/695UFS/KM8SC73D45U959310 |
0 |
-245.11 |
2006-03-0055687 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/699KRU/2G1WJ15K469177570 |
0 |
-33.64 |
2006-03-0055689 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/714PYP/JN8AZ08W56W517422 |
0 |
-322.62 |
2006-03-0055690 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/788TWR/2B3KA43R87H623770 |
0 |
-80.12 |
2006-03-0055692 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/790TWR/1FAFP53U46A111354 |
0 |
-168.86 |
2006-03-0055693 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/791TWR/1G1ZT58N67F113799 |
0 |
-270.79 |
2006-03-0055697 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/794TWR/1G1ZT61896F209676 |
0 |
-34.76 |
2006-03-0055703 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/798UFV/KNAGD128965462741 |
0 |
-282.26 |
2006-03-0055707 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/828UPK/2D4GP44L96R786274 |
0 |
-510.74 |
2006-03-0055717 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/894UJD/JM1BK12F461508324 |
0 |
-233.96 |
2006-03-0055727 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/934TRJ/2MEFM74WX5X635465 |
0 |
-259.78 |
2006-03-0055728 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/940NNM/1B3ES56C35D217283 |
0 |
-22.65 |
2006-03-0055731 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/947TGJ/WVWAD63B15E089175 |
0 |
-324.29 |
2006-03-0055734 |
CAMRAC INC |
2004/965TRA/KNAFB121X45315118 |
0 |
-162.79 |
2006-03-0055735 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/966TRA/2G1WB55K969374030 |
0 |
-329.13 |
2006-03-0055738 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/970TRA/KNADE123266048361 |
0 |
-205.88 |
2006-03-0055739 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/971TRA/1D8HB48P57F502839 |
0 |
-387.47 |
2006-03-0055742 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/84945C/1FTNE24W65HB17091 |
0 |
-398.8 |
2006-03-0055745 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/88606C/1FTRE14W66DA23300 |
0 |
-187.68 |
2006-04-0081335 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/116SNV/1N4BA41E77C825765 |
0 |
-118.48 |
2006-04-0081341 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/224TXL/1G4HP57237U167356 |
0 |
-160.81 |
2006-04-0081362 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/332TZW/1GYEE637070123322 |
0 |
-155.14 |
2006-04-0081364 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/343TZW/JNKBV61F17M803630 |
0 |
-132.05 |
2006-04-0081377 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/394UOB/2C3KA43R47H711511 |
0 |
-201.12 |
2006-04-0081381 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/414UXH/3VWPG71K07M070119 |
0 |
-243.01 |
2006-04-0081420 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/633PYP/2C3KA53G77H606109 |
0 |
-295.35 |
2006-04-0081442 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/924UXE/5NPEU46F26H088557 |
0 |
-186.31 |
2006-04-0081443 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/925UXE/5NPEU46F56H087919 |
0 |
-298.03 |
2006-04-0081447 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/929UXE/5NPEU46F86H099322 |
0 |
-149.21 |
2007-03-0055586 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/180RUO/1GNEK13T55J187983 |
0 |
-274.42 |
2007-03-0055589 |
CAMRAC INC |
2007/221TXL/JN8AZ08W27W603143 |
0 |
-342.51 |
2007-03-0055592 |
CAMRAC INC |
2005/227TXL/2G2WP522051335132 |
0 |
-273.95 |
2007-03-0055752 |
CAMRAC INC |
2006/790TWR/1FAFP53U46A111354 |
0 |
-252.09 |
2007-03-0056907 |
CHASE AUTO FINANCE CORP |
2006/830TWK/4S4WX83CX64401997 |
0 |
-132.76 |
2007-03-0056908 |
CHASE AUTO FINANCE CORP |
2007/348UXR/YV4SZ592371262497 |
0 |
-672.46 |
2007-03-0061757 |
EDGERLY GREGORY L |
1999/2CL467/1FTRX18L4XNB83102 |
0 |
-222.32 |
2007-03-0063113 |
FOOTE CURTIS H |
2001/341TXJ/3C4FY4BB41T538052 |
0 |
-59.95 |
2007-03-0063114 |
FOOTE CURTIS H |
1995/383TNF/2G1FP22S4S2125948 |
0 |
-18.7 |
2003-04-0083107 |
FORREST FRANK W JR |
1987/643SZL/2B7GB13T1HK237983 |
0 |
-29.16 |
2006-01-0011484 |
GOSLEE RICHARD |
10 CREE RD |
0 |
-313.48 |
2007-02-0041231 |
NMHG FINANCIAL SERVICES INC |
PPN02410 |
0 |
-440.84 |
2007-03-0077661 |
OCONNELL RYAN C |
1984/943UYG/1VWDC017XEV017884 |
0 |
-12.6 |
2007-03-0078273 |
OUELLETTE DANIEL C |
2005/264KXE/1FMYU93135KA93314 |
0 |
-90.1 |
2007-03-0079924 |
PETTINATO NINO |
2004/776612/1HD4CAM174K415783 |
0 |
-17.38 |
2007-03-0081363 |
REDFIELD FLOYD III |
1998/223SHZ/1G4HP52KXWH466292 |
0 |
-6.67 |
2007-03-0082875 |
RODRIQUEZ JAMES P |
2007/513UPN/JTKDE177670192376 |
-7.5 |
-332.54 |
2007-03-0082883 |
ROGASKY YVETTE M |
2004/JJJMR/1G1JC52F147374696 |
0 |
-41.33 |
2007-03-0088904 |
VALLEE LEAH |
2001/510MZL/JTEHF21A210014208 |
0 |
-118.87 |
2006-04-0089305 |
VONTELL THERESA A |
2006/119818/1GBJG31U361236586 |
0 |
-326.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
-7.5 |
21,924.33 |
Recommendation from Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: Silver Lane Cemetery Extension – The Dill Property
Acquisition of Property
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to authorize the Administration to purchase approximately 10.2 acres of
land known as the “Dill” property, which property lies behind 1350 and
1366 Silver Lane, for use in the Phase III expansion of the Silver Lane
Cemetery, for the sum of $200,000.00.
Motion carried 5/3. Nays: Pitkin, Harmon, Thompson
Transfer of Funds
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION CONCERNING A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND FUND BALANCE TRANSFER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2009 TO PROVIDE A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE PURCHASE OF 1350-1366 SILVER LANE
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford owns and operates the Silver Lane Cemetery for the benefit of East Hartford residents; and
WHEREAS, the Silver Lane Cemetery was recently expanded with sufficient burial plots available to residents through the 2010 year; and
WHEREAS, the town has an opportunity to acquire 1350 to 1366 Silver Lane as an abutting property for the purpose of further expanding the Silver Lane Cemetery so that sufficient burial plots would be available to residents through 2030.
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 and does hereby amend the current 2008-2009 fiscal year Operating Budget to reflect the addition of the attached Supplemental Revenue and Expenditure Appropriation.
G2200-63237 Corporation Counsel – Appraisal/Assessment $ 200,000
G0320-55900 Fund Balance Appropriation $ 200,000
Funds certified as unobligated and available.
On call of the vote, motion carried 5/3. Nays: Pitkin, Harmon, Thompson
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Jason Rojas asked for a report from the Retirement Board on the employees’ pension fund.
Pat Harmon asked the Administration to reconsider employee use of town vehicles.
Bill Horan commended the Public Works department for a job well done regarding the leaf collection program.
Don Pitkin commented that he observed a pick-up truck dumping a load of leaves on Oak Street.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:22 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on December 9, 2008.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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