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04-07-09 Town Council meeting minutes
EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

APRIL 7, 2009

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, Linda A. Russo, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson


CALL TO ORDER

Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:33 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 New Business, Item 9.E. Setting Public Hearing date for  Raymond Library conveyances.
Motion carried 9/0.     


RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

Kelly McElroy and Kathy Saimininkas Co-Chairs of the parade committee presented trophies for the Town of East Hartford from last year and this year: large town contingent; the East Hartford High School Band and the Korean War Veterans.

Community Emergency Response Team Presentation of Recognition Certificates

Chair Kehoe recognized each of the following individuals for their service to the community:

EAST HARTFORD COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

Rainelda Ayala, Raul Ayala, Paul Belanger, Laurie Beley, Jane Bennitt, Cathy Carbonell
George Carbonell, Nancy Davis, Kristen Dube, Brian Ellis, Marie Fredrickson, Richard Gatewood, Steve Hammond, Anand Hingorani, Gladys Kielb, Richard McCarthy,
John Morrison, Peter Ottone, Beverly Parent, David Pelletier, Josephine Picone,
Beverly Plefka, John Ranney, Deborah Rataic, Anjela Robinson-Forbes, Harriet Stanek, Brian Taylor, Carole Taylor, Patricia Wagner, John Winkley, Mickey Yoo .








EAST HARTFORD SENIOR CERT

Catherine Benoit, Beverly Bollash, Leola Davenport, Alexis Donald, Lucille Douville,
Marcie Dwyer, Barbara Gertenlauer, Lorna Hastings, Sharon Hoinoski,  Ken Loock,
Linda McComber, Franklin “ Buddha” McFarlane , Jason Matthews, Terry Meares,
Manny Medina, Gladys Monti, Marie Vassallo, Sandy Vitkus.

OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS

Susan Kneip, 50 Olde Roberts Street, East Hartford.  Commented regarding the appointment of Scott Thompson to the Pension & Retirement Board.  Ms. Kneip suggested that there be a public forum regarding the appointment of an individual so that the public may have a chance to question the prospective candidate; she also questioned the amount of pensions received by various retirees; Ms. Kneip also commented on the amount of properties that are in tax lien sales.


Mayor Currey clarified that Scott Thompson is the labor union representative on the Pension & Retirement Board.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES
        
March 17, 2009 Regular Meeting  

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                        to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2009 Regular Meeting.
                        Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Pitkin

March 19, 2009 Special Meeting/Travis Simpson to Board of Assessment Appeals

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        Seconded by Barbara-Ann  Rossi
                        to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2009 Special Meeting/
                        Travis Simpson to Board of Assessment Appeals.
                        Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Leclerc, Pitkin


RESOLUTIONS

State Project 42-297 Sidewalk Construction

MOTION  By Linda Russo
                        seconded by Barbara-Ann Rossi
                        to adopt the following resolution:

That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized and directed to sign a proposed agreement between the town and the State Department of Transportation for the Forbes Street at Silver Lane sidewalk construction State Project 42-297 with an estimated cost of $16,262.40

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


NEW BUSINESS

Appointment to the Pension & Retiree Benefit Board: Scott Thompson

MOTION  By Don Pitkin
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to approve the nomination of Scott Thompson to the
                Pension & Retiree Benefit Board; term to expire 12/12.          

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


Refund of Taxes

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to refund taxes in the amount of $3,590.56   
                pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
                Motion carried 9/0.


Bill
Name
Address
Prop Loc/MV Info.
Int
Over Paid
2007-03-0052076
BAEZ IRIS G
137 SISSON STREET E HARTFORD CT 06118
526TSD
$        -   
 $           (50.35)
2007-03-0052921
BELL ROBERT L
15 CONCORD ST E HARTFORD CT 06108
403TUO
$        -   
 $          (120.81)
2007-03-0057331
CONN RESTORATION LLC
210 D ROBERTS STREET E HARTFORD CT 06108
662TDO
$        -   
 $         (167.70)
2007-03-0057969
CONN RESTORATION LLC
210 ROBERTS ST E HARTFORD CT 06108
J99143
$        -   
 $         (218.05)
2007-01-0003874
DIAZ EFRAIN
31 TORPEY DR EAST HARTFORD CT 06108
31TORPEY DR
$        -   
 $         (100.00)
2007-04-0082624
DUMAS SERGE
83 HANDEL RD E HARTFORD CT 06118
785WOA
$        -   
 $           (25.49)
2007-02-0040598
ECHN HEALTH SERVICES INC
71 HAYNES ST MANCHESTER CT 06040
28 MAIN ST
$        -   
 $           (30.92)
2007-01-005936
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORP
10500 KINCAID DR SUITE 300
15 PIPER LN
$        -   
 $     (2,276.28)
ATTN: MACK ALLISON
FISHERS IN 46037
2007-03-0070922
LAM CHAUVAN
144 PLAIN DR E HARTFORD CT 06118
251UNE
$        -   
 $             (7.26)
2007-04-0084827
LANDON STEVEN W
62 MANOR CIR E HARTFORD CT 06118
76CG49
$        -   
 $              (6.91)
2007-03-0071327
LAVOIE JAMES J
15 HAMMER STREET E HARTFORD CT 06108
251SMT
$        -   
 $           (89.09)
2005-03-0073214
MACCLAIN JAMES S
18 KIMBERLY LN GLASTONBURY CT 06073
711TTV
$        -   
 $           (34.99)
2007-04-0085475
MATTERAZZO DAVID
9 PRASSER DR E HARTFORD CT 06118
544WXD
$ (2.00)
$            (28.41)
2007-03-0076189
MOTT LAUREN A OR
4 ROGERS PL MANCHESTER CT 06040
30591C
$        -   
 $           (36.58)
MOTT DWAYNE A
2007-03-0077955
OPTON CAROLYN R
376 HILLS ST E HARTFORD CT 06118
398SW
$        -   
 $            (18.29)
2007-03-0079365
PEREZ DAMARIS I
227 GRANDE RD EAST HARTFORD CT 06118
385UMA
$        -   
 $            (21.09)
2007-03-82796
RODRIGUEZ NOEL
173 SISSON ST EAST HARTFORD CT 06118
166SXW
$             (19.51)
2007-03-83758
SAENZ MIGUEL
35 AHERN DR SOUTH WINDSOR CT06074
903WFR
$        -   
($163.89)
2006-03-0085987
SOARES MARIE E OR
28 OLIVA CT E HARTFORD CT 06108
669EWH
$        -   
 $           (72.94)
SOARES CURT M
2007-04-0088852
TYRSECK ROBERT M  OR
71 CRESTWOOD TRL E HARTFORD CT 06118
429RLK
$        -   
 $         (100.00)
TYRSECK PHILOMENIA
SUBTOTAL
 
 
 $ (2.00)
$     (3,588.56)
TOTAL
$     (3,590.56)

Outdoor Amusement Permit Application:  BIAC & United Steel Walk for Thought

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                to approve the outdoor amusement permit application submitted
                by the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut to hold the BIAC &
                United Steel Walk for Thought walkathon in Great  River Park on
                Saturday, October 24, 2009 between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and
                3:30 p.m.; 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 9/0.

LoCIP Grant Application

MOTION  By Barbara-Ann Rossi
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                to authorize the Grants Administrator to submit an      application to the State of Connecticut to secure Local Capital Improvement Plan Funds (LoCIP) in the amount of $823,000.00 for the following projects listed in the Town of East Hartford’s approved municipal capital improvement     plan:

Town Hall Signage       $25,000.00      Design and installation of signage for Town Hall Offices.

Town Hall Parking       $250,000.00     Milling and repaving of the parking area including
                                        the demolition of related structures.

Town Hall Windows       $233,000.00     Continue program to replace existing windows
                                        with energy efficient ones.
                                        
        
Parks Dept. Paving      $300,000.00     Continue program to design and construct milling
                                        and repaving of the following areas under the
                                        administration of the Parks & Recreation Department:
                                        Gorman Park, Veterans Memorial Clubhouse and the
                                        EHCCC north parking lot.

VMC Rear Porch  $15,000.00      Rebuild rear porch structure at Veteran’s Memorial      
                                        Clubhouse.
              Total:    $823,000.00


MOTION  By Barbara Ann-Rossi
                seconded by Bill Horan
                to amend to replace the Grants Administrator with Mayor Melody A. Currey.
                Motion carried 9/0.

MOTION  as amended carried 9/0.

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to set a public hearing date regarding proposed conveyances of
                28 & 36 Central Avenue to the East Hartford Village Improvement
                Society Inc. and/or the Raymond Library Company to extend the term
                of an existing lease from September 7, 1966 for an additional ninety nine
                year term to permit the town to utilize the property at 840 Main Street
                as the town’s public library and to utilize the properties at 28 & 36
                Central Avenue for municipal parking.
                Motion carried 9/0.
                        

OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION

Don Pitkin raised the question regarding the possibilities of outdoor dining at local restaurants.      

COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Division v. Town of East Hartford

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Don Pitkin  
                to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office to
                settle the tax appeal cases entitled United Technologies Corporation,
                Pratt & Whitney Division v. Town of East Hartford Connecticut,
                Docket No: HHB-CV-08-4019543-S; United Technologies Corporation,
                Pratt & Whitney Division v. Town of East Hartford, Connecticut,
                Docket No: HHB-CV-08-4017414-S; United Technologies Corporation,
                Pratt & Whitney Division v. Town of  East Hartford, Connecticut,
                Docket No: HHB-CV-4014721-S; United Technologies Corporation,
                Pratt & Whitney Division v. Town of East Hartford, Connecticut,
                Docket No: HHB-CV-07-4014709-S; and United Technologies Corporation,
                Pratt & Whitney Division v. Town of East Hartford, Connecticut,
                Docket No: HHB-CV-08-4017424-S subject to the terms submitted by
                Corporation Counsel to Council Chair Richard Kehoe.
                Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Russo.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK

Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, Chair of the East Hartford Board of Education, requested that the Council consider transferring the $2 million dollars set aside in the town’s contingency account back to the Board of Education’s direct appropriation for fiscal year 2009-2010. The requested action would restore the Board of Education’s direct appropriation to $79 million dollars. If the council is unable to transfer the $2 million dollars, she feels that there will be significant staff and program cuts.

Brenda Murdzek, 1648 Main Street, spoke of her concerns regarding Board of Education budget cuts and the laying off of teachers. She brought forth a signed petition requesting that the town not have to layoff teachers.

Anabelle Diaz-Ramos, 700 Forbes Street, also expressed her concerns regarding budget cuts and the effect that fewer teachers and larger class sizes will have on students.  

Jennifer Garcia, 79 Francis Street, spoke regarding the negative impact of larger classroom sizes and fewer teachers.

Marcus Oladell, 11 Shawnee Road, expressed his concerns both as a Board of Education  member and parent regarding the trickle down affect of budget cuts and how they impact children and their learning abilities.

Anita Morrison, 47 Woodbridge Avenue, reconfirmed the concerns of the previous speakers and her hopes that budget cuts will not have to affect the quality of education here in East Hartford.

The Mayor wished to express her best wishes to Don Pitkin on his birthday.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION  By Don Pitkin
                seconded by Bill Horan
                to adjourn (  9:10  p.m.).
                Motion carried 9/0.

                                        Attest________________________________
                                                        Christine R. Bedard
                                                       ACTING TOWN COUNCIL CLERK