EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
APRIL 21, 2009
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr. (arrived 8:19 p.m.), 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 7:36 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 Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to add item 9. F. under New Business as follows:
Demolition of 1437-1439 Main Street.
- Bid Waiver: Town Bidding Process-Demolition
- Contingency Transfer: Demolition of 1437-1439 Main Street
Motion carried 8/0.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Anthony Velez-Merrick
Prior to reading the following proclamation, Mayor Currey praised Anthony for his preparedness by initiating a 911 call that actually saved his grandmother’s life.
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Anthony Velez-Merrick instinctively knew to call 911 when his
grandmother, Jean Merrick, stopped breathing; and
WHEREAS, he calmly followed directions of the 911 operator, thereby getting
assistance to her in time to save her life; and
WHEREAS, Anthony is an astute young man who can be a role model for other
children who may find themselves in a similar emergency situation; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford hereby extends their appreciation and
gratitude to you for saving the life of your grandmother, a resident of our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melody A. Currey and members of the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford are honored and proud to join with family, friends and members of our community to honor
ANTHONY VELEZ-MERRICK
and congratulate him for his heroic efforts in saving his grandmother’s life.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we herewith set our hands and cause the seal of the Town of East Hartford to be affixed this twenty-first of April, Two Thousand and Nine.
John D’Agostino
Mayor Currey received a recommendation from the Economic and Development Commission to honor Johnny D’Agostino, from Johnny’s barbershop, for his longtime commitment to the Town of East Hartford.
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Johnny D’Agostino left Sicily over a half century ago to come to America and began
cutting hair on Main Street in East Hartford in 1962; and
WHEREAS, loyal customers line up at the barbershop daily for haircuts, coffee, donuts and just
good conversation; and
WHEREAS, Johnny met his wife of forty-two years at the barbershop when she brought her brother
in for a haircut; and
WHEREAS, he has a strong sense of patriotism, a warm and friendly personality, represents
everything that is genuine about East Hartford and is a landmark destination in town.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melody A. Currey and members of the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford are honored and proud to join with family, friends and members of our community to honor
JOHNNY D’AGOSTINO
and congratulate him on forty-seven years of business on Main Street in our town.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we herewith set our hands and cause the seal of the Town of East Hartford to be affixed this twenty-first of April, Two Thousand and Nine.
Mr. D’Agostino expressed his appreciation for this recognition and also his gratitude for being able to conduct business in the Town of East Hartford for the past forty seven years.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mark Callahan, 10 Lehigh Drive, spoke in favor of the referral to the Personnel & Pensions Committee re: Job description changes and upgrades. As president of Local 1174 he is looking for upgrades in the mechanics positions.
Mayor Currey, spoke regarding the fact that a building located at 1437-1439 Main Street suffered a fire and has been deemed unsafe by both the town’s building inspector and Fire Marshal. She also noted that the building formerly known as the Silver Buffet is being renovated and will be occupied by Aaron’s Furniture. She also stated that Pizza Hut is set to reopen within the next couple of weeks. The issue of repairing both potholes and curbing is being addressed and will most likely take until the rest of the summer to complete due to budget cutbacks. Both the Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments will be working together in a joint effort to make mowing projects more efficient by eliminating overlapping the same areas.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 7, 2009 Executive Session
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Don Pitkin
to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2009 Executive Session/Settlement of tax appeal cases.
Motion carried 8/0.
April 7, 2009 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
RESOLUTIONS
2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the US. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, has 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 improve or enhance Law Enforcement Programs with no cash match by the Town of East Hartford; and
WHEREAS, the East Hartford Police Department desires to use these funds to procure equipment to include firearms, portable and mobile radios, technology enhancements, and to fund proactive overtime activities.
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 the call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
NEW BUSINESS
Referral to Personnel & Pensions Committee
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to refer to the Personnel & Pensions Subcommittee the job description changes and upgrades for Parts Clerk and Mechanics I & II in the Public Works Union, AFSCME, Local 1174.
Motion carried 8/0.
Outdoor Permit Applications:
125 Riverside Drive Outdoor Bands
MOTION By Mark Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the outdoor permit amusement application of 125 Riverside Drive under Town Ordinance Sections 5-2 and 5-4a, for the purpose of conducting regularly scheduled outdoor musical entertainment (bands and DJ’s) at that location from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays and from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on Sundays on the following dates in 2009:
May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
July 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
August 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
September 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27
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 8/0.
Gengras Harley-Davidson Fall Open House
MOTION By Mark Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application of Gengras Harley-Davidson to conduct a Fall Open House featuring live music, food and vendors at 221 Governor Street on the following Saturday in 2009: September 12, 10 AM-4 PM, Music 12 PM-3:30 PM
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 8/0.
Proposed property transfers between the Town of East Hartford and the Raymond Library Company
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Eric Thompson
that the Town Council, having received the recommendation of the Real Estate Acquisition and Disposition Committee with respect to the conveyance of the properties known as 28 Central Avenue (more particularly described in Volume 421 at page 554 of the East Hartford Land Records) and 36 Central Avenue (more particularly described in Volume 740 at page 75 of the East Hartford Land Records) to Raymond Library Company, waive the appraisal requirements of Town Ordinances Section 10-19(c) with respect to said conveyance.
Motion carried 8/0.
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Eric Thompson
that the Town Council approve the conveyance of the properties known as 28 Central Avenue (more particularly described in Volume 421 at page 554 of the East Hartford Land Records) and 36 Central Avenue (more particularly described in Volume 740 at page 75 of the East Hartford Land records) to the Raymond Library Company provided that the Raymond Library Company, for no additional expense: (i) extend the term of an existing September 7, 1966 lease, which lease currently allows the Town to utilize the property at 840 Main Street as the Town’s public library, for an additional ninety-nine year term to expire on September 7, 2108; and (ii) provide in such lease extension that the Town may utilize the properties known as 28 and 36 Central Avenue for municipal parking.
Motion carried 8/0.
Vacancy appointment for Constable John Johnston
MOTION by Barbara Rossi
seconded by Mark Weinberg
to appoint Pasquale J. Salemi, 17 Pheasant Lane, East Hartford to fill the current term as Constable for the Town of East Hartford caused by the sudden death of John R. Johnston.
Motion carried 8/0.
Appointments and Reappointments to Various Boards & Commissions
MOTION by Mark Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the following for their respective commissions:
Reappointment-Veterans Affairs Commission
Kirk Allison – Term 12/10
Appointment-Historic District Commission
Gloria Visgilio-Lupi-Term 12/12
Alternates-Historic District Commission
Catherine Condio-Term 12/09 Michelina Lauzier-Term 12/09
Appointment-Library Commission
Debra Arrieta-Term 12/09
Appointment-Inlands/Wetlands Commission
Dusty S. McMahan-Term 12/09
Alternate-Inlands/Wetlands Commission
Tyron Harris-Term 12/10
Appointment-Patriotic Commission
Linda Carrasquillo-Term 12/10
Motion carried 9/0.
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to waive the bidding requirements of Section 10-7(b) of the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances to authorize the town to enter into a contract with Manafort Construction of New Britain in an amount not to exceed $52,000.00 to demolish the property located at 1437-1439 Main Street which is in the best interest and safety of our town and to lien the property known as 1437-1439 Main Street to recover all costs.
Motion carried 9/0.
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to transfer funds in the amount of $42,200.00 from Contingency Reserve Account, G9600-60201 and $9,680.00 from Contingency Reserve Contract Account for a total transfer of $51,880.00 to Inspections Account, G6100-64520, to cover the demolition of 1437-1439 Main Street.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Don Pitkin asked if there was a pecking order of authority when she is not in her office.
Eric Thompson wanted to know the status of the town’s flood control system and if the Mayor has heard anything from the federal government in regard to additional funding.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Mayor Currey stated that stimulus money that the town receives will be placed on the town’s home web page as well as on the Ctrecovery.gov website where all projects from the stimulus package will be listed. She also complimented the Council on holding on to the monies designated in the contingency fund for the Board of Education.
Chair Kehoe announced that East Hartford Little League opening day is Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Gorman Park at 10 AM. The Town Council will be meeting with the Board of Education on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 7 PM in the Council Chambers to discuss Phase 2 of the joint effort with the Board of Education and the town to make our buildings more energy efficient.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:40 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on May 5, 2009.
Attest________________________________
Christine R. Bedard
Acting TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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