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08-04-09 Town Council Meeting
EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

AUGUST 4, 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 7:42 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.


RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

Beautification Commission’s Community Pride Awards

Pat Sirois, Chair of the East Hartford Beautification Commission, presented this month’s Community Pride awards to: East Hartford High School Student Gardens, located at 869 Forbes Street and to the East Hartford Board of Education Building, located at 1110 Main Street.  Several students who worked on the gardens at the High School, along with their teachers, were present to receive their award and thanked the Beautification Commission and the Council for this recognition.  Present to receive the award for the Board of Education Building, was Mark Zito, Superintendent of Schools; Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, Chair of the Board of Education; Board Members Karen Howe and Anita Morrison; and Mike Cosgrove, Board of Education employee who is responsible for the landscaping at the building.  All thanked the Beautification Commission and the Council for this recognition.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS

Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) addressed the Council on  the unsightly condition of property on Daley Court as it abuts residential property and asked that the Public Works department address this issue; (2) congratulated Melody Currey on her recent election as First Vice President of Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and suggested that Councillors could be more involved with CCM; (3) urged that the Council pass a resolution in support of Governor Rell’s revisions to binding arbitration; and (4) stated that the cost of sending students to Magnet Schools should be paid by  either the State of Connecticut or the Town in which the student resides.

Mary Alice Dwyer Hughes, 37 Greene Terrace, Chair of the East Hartford Board of Education, spoke in favor of approval of Item 9. D. 2010-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement: East Hartford Board of Education and the East Hartford Education Association.

Mayor Currey (1) hoped that the Council enjoyed their tour of the Fire Department’s new fire rescue boat earlier this evening; (2) thanked the Beautification Commission for their selections this month; (3) recognized former Mayor Timothy Larson for being instrumental in the renovations to the Old Town Hall Inn building which now houses the Board of Education; (4) stated that the side door to Town Hall is now opened and hopes to soon start renovations to the front door area; and (5) said that the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival was very successful this year.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

July 14, 2009 Regular Meeting  

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                        seconded by Eric Thompson
                        to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2009 Regular Meeting.
                        Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Pitkin, Harmon



RESOLUTIONS

Historic Document Preservation Grant

MOTION  By Linda Russo
                        seconded by Marc Weinberg
                        to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED:  That Melody A. Currey, Mayor, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant.

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



COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Melody A. Currey, First Vice President of Connecticut Conference of Municipalities for Fiscal Year 2009-2010

Chair Kehoe congratulated Mayor Currey for her election to the position of First Vice President of Connecticut Conference
of Municipalities for this current fiscal year.  



NEW BUSINESS

Municipal Tax Exempt Lease Purchase re: Fire Department – Ladder Truck

Note:  Minority Leader Pitkin questioned the recognition of Vice Chair Horan prior to the start of this motion.


MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A MUNICIPAL TAX-EXEMPT
LEASE PURCHASE FINANCING AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford contracted for the purchase of a 2007 Seagrave mid-mount ladder fire truck as part of the Town of East Hartford’s Approved 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan for the Years 2006-2007 through 2010-2011; and

WHEREAS, due to a variety of manufacturing issues with this mid-mount ladder truck, the town was unwilling to deploy this piece of fire apparatus into its fleet; and

WHEREAS, in a negotiated settlement with the Town of East Hartford, the manufacturer agreed to replace the mid-mount ladder truck with a newly manufactured 2008 ladder truck which the town was able to accept and deploy into its fire apparatus fleet; and

WHEREAS, the portion of the cost of this piece of fire apparatus designated for lease-purchase financing totals $850,000; and

WHEREAS, the Town will budget an initial payment of $135,000.00 and then six annual payments of $135,065.92 due on July 15, 2009-2014 in the General Operating Fund to pay principal and interest on the purchase.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the Town of East Hartford is authorized to enter into a master lease purchase agreement and related documents with Chase Equipment Finance, Inc. in the principal amount of $850,000.  The interest rate, payment schedule and other details of the financing shall be mutually determined between the company and the Mayor, whose signatures will indicate approval of specific terms and conditions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town declares its intent to be reimbursed for any temporary advances from the General Fund to pay for any part of the equipment from proceeds of the lease financing in accordance with Treasury Regulation 26 CFR 1.103-18 and/or 26CFR1.150-2.

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

                                                
Bid Waiver re: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – Eastern Connecticut Health Network

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                to approve a bid waiver to allow the town to contract with the Eastern
Connecticut Health Network to continue to provide WIC services under the
State Department of Public Health Grant to the Town of East Hartford,
which waiver shall not exceed $206,000.00.
Motion carried 9/0.
                
Note: Minority Leader Pitkin asked that the Chair repeat the motion prior to discussion and vote.


Refund of Taxes

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to refund taxes in the amount of $47,386.89   
                pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
                Motion carried 9/0.


Bill
Name
Prop Loc/Marker #
Int
 Over Paid
2007-1-7918
BAC TAX SERVICES CORP
246 FOREST ST
$            -   
 $       (100.00)
07-03-53546
BKM TOTAL OFFICE TODAY INC
76884
$            -   
 $           (5.29)
07-03-53550
BKM TOTAL OFFICE TODAY INC
83939
$            -   
 $           (6.46)
07-03-57046
CHIRINOS BLANCA M
122MMG
$            -   
 $            (6.41)
08-03-58698
CRUTCHFIELD PATRICK W
574WWB
$            -   
 $         (111.38)
98-03-58464
CZAJKA SUSAN D
805KWJ
$   (18.91)
$         (114.88)
07-03-59784
DCFS TRUST
271UES
$            -   
 $         (295.28)
07-03-59810
DCFS TRUST
983TUH
$            -   
 $           (19.09)
07-03-59817
DCFS TRUST
EHMC
$            -   
 $         (370.86)
07-03-59821
DCFS TRUST
371THB
$            -   
 $         (333.80)
07-03-60345
DESCHAINE RAYMOND AND BARBARA
335KET
$            -   
 $           (12.70)
07-03-60823
DOMBEK STANLEY P OR BONNIE D
201RJC
$            -   
 $             (7.41)
07-03-60824
DOMBEK STANLEY P OR BONNIE D
233MRC
$            -   
 $           (11.91)
2007-01-9194
FIRST AMERICAN
74 CHESTER ST
$            -   
 $     (1,985.39)
07-03-63779
GAGNON PAUL J
193CLB
$            -   
 $         (325.88)
06-03-64795
GILBO PAUL A
304UEX
$            -   
 $           (18.83)
07-03-64937
GMAC
729UDK
$            -   
 $         (102.35)
07-03-65211
GONZALEZ LEOPOLDO A
119WJA
$            -   
 $           (19.19)
07-03-65212
GONZALEZ LEOPOLDO A
245WLK
$            -   
 $           (25.81)
06-03-65357
GOODIN HENRY G
24CV48
$   (34.85)
$           (96.80)
07-03-65304
GOODIN HENRY G
24CV48
$   (14.59)
$           (81.08)
07-03-66706
HARTMAN JANET D
JANETH
$            -   
 $           (14.83)
07-03-67031
HENDERSON CURTIS J
473JFC
$            -   
 $           (13.56)
07-03-67813
HONDA LEASE TRUST
198WAT
$            -   
 $         (242.72)
07-03-67847
HONDA LEASE TRUST
458WDN
$            -   
 $         (266.15)
07-03-67873
HONDA LEASE TRUST
605WCU
$            -   
 $         (229.51)
07-03-67882
HONDA LEASE TRUST
628WCU
$            -   
 $         (254.97)
07-03-67918
HONDA LEASE TRUST
855RSK
$            -   
 $           (49.72)
05-02-40883
INTERNATIONAL AERO ENGINES
Unique ID # PPI01350
$            -   
 $     (8,911.06)
06-02-40883
INTERNATIONAL AERO ENGINES
Unique ID # PPI01350
$            -   
 $   (27,407.48)
07-01-08176
LAPID EDDY C & JEAN B
63 KIMBERLY LN
$            -   
 $           (39.00)
07-03-70735
LAW OFFICES HOWARD LEE
365NMF
$            -   
 $           (77.52)
07-03-71351
LAW OFFICES HOWARD LEE
649SET
$            -   
 $           (21.72)
07-03-71352
LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD
138TFP
$            -   
 $           (38.85)
07-03-71354
LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD LEE
550TZL
$            -   
 $         (164.84)
04-03-75586
MESITE STEPHEN F
76315C
$ (182.39)
$         (282.77)
07-03-76431
MURPHY DONNA MARIA
319UWW
$            -   
 $           (49.40)
08-03-75940
MURPHY DONNA MARIA
319UWW
$            -   
 $           (39.28)
07-03-76711
NEDDO MICHAEL F
370UWY
$            -   
 $         (596.98)
07-3-76715
NEDJOIKA PATRICIA
3355Z
$            -   
 $           (31.67)
08-03-76549
NICKEL GLASTER B
911WKF
$            -   
 $           (63.85)
07-04-86251
NUNEZ HAYDEE J
228WTT
$            -   
 $           (13.27)
08-03-77074
OBENG NICHOLAS
128UOS
$            -   
 $           (27.96)
08-03-78407
PATHAMMAVONG SONEE
962UEJ
$            -   
 $             (7.82)
07-01-11284
PEDEMONTI LAURA J
31 High St Unit 3101
$            -   
 $     (1,183.83)
98-01-303
PELLETIER DENNIS
46 AMATO DR
 $            -   
 $             (8.82)
07-03-79115
PELLETIER DENNIS
US8721
$            -   
 $             (8.58)
07-03-79267
PENSKE TRUCK LEASING CO
41805A
$            -   
 $         (895.64)
07-03-53585
PETRI JERRY
836SMF
$            -   
 $           (70.94)
07-03-83722
SAAB LEASING CO
134TUW
$            -   
 $         (237.27)
07-03-83724
SAAB LEASING CO
137TUW
$            -   
 $         (212.33)
07-03-83726
SAAB LEASING CO
401TXT
$            -   
 $         (193.96)
07-03-84225
SANTIAGO RAQUEL
194RUN
$            -   
 $             (6.14)
07-03-84229
SANTIAGO RAQUEL A
582STJ
$  (2.00)
$           (73.58)
08-03-87033
THURSTON MICHAEL D
42CW25
$            -   
 $           (15.46)
07-03-89669
VW CREDIT LEASING LTD
402SDB
$            -   
 $         (153.66)
07-03-89678
VW CREDIT LEASING LTD
210TPK
$            -   
 $         (397.14)
07-03-89693
VW CREDIT LEASING LTD
582TVV
$            -   
 $         (189.23)
07-03-89694
VW CREDIT LEASING LTD
611TTO
$            -   
 $         (408.36)
07-03-89696
VW CREDIT LEASING LTD
679RJE
$            -   
 $         (134.07)
SUBTOTAL
 
 $ (252.74)
$   (47,134.15)
TOTAL
$   (47,386.89)
2010-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement: East Hartford Board of Education and the East Hartford Education Association

MOTION  By Marcia Leclerc
                seconded by Barbara Rossi
                to reject the proposed labor contract between the East Hartford Education
                Association and the East Hartford Board of Education for the period of time
                beginning July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
                Motion carried 9/0.



Setting a Public Hearing Date of August 18, 2009 regarding Revisions to the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Marcia Leclerc
                to set a public hearing date of August 18, 2009 at 7:15 P.M. in Town
                Council Chambers to hear public comment regarding two proposed
                revisions to the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances consisting
                of proposed revisions to Section 2-117 and 2-118 entitled Municipal Enterprise
Zone as well as proposed revisions to Section 10-7(d) entitled Reverse Auction – Bidding Procedures.
Motion carried 9/0.

Recommendation from Fees Committee re: License Agreement for Youghiogeny Communications – Northeast, LLC d/b/a Pocket Communications

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Barbara Rossi
                                to approve the proposed lease between the Town of East Hartford and
                                Youghiogeny Communications – Northeast, LLC d/b/a Pocket
                                Communications with respect to a portion of the Town’s cellular
                                communications tower located at 100 Sunset Ridge Drive, which lease
                                shall have one initial five-year term and two successive five-year renewal
                                terms, subject to the following lease fees:

  • First Year: Lease fees shall equal $2,100 per month
  • Each Additional Year: monthly lease fees shall increase on each anniversary of the commencement date of the lease by 3% over the previous year’s monthly lease fee.
                Motion carried 9/0.


OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION

Bill Horan (1) stated how glad he was that he supported the purchase of the town’s fire rescue boat, and (2) congratulated Mike Cosgrove, the employee who is in charge of the landscaping at the Board of Education building, who came with family members to receive the Community Pride award.

Pat Harmon requested further information on wage and/or benefit concessions made by the non-bargaining employees of the Board of Education.  The Chair asked the Council Clerk to forward this request to the Board of Education.

Eric Thompson asked that the Minority caucus of the Town Council be included in the recognition of motions on agenda items.

Don Pitkin inquired on any plans for creating handicapped accessible toilet facilities at a level in town hall other than the basement. He also thanked the Mayor for her quick response to the Pitkin Vault repairs and for the landscaping at Center Cemetery.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK

Peter Atardo, 49 Wakefield Circle, asked for the town’s help in solving a drainage problem at his condominium complex due to several surrounding streets draining storm waters into an easement granted to the town in 1958.  He suggested that the end of the culvert be cleaned out.

Irene Cone, 52 Barbonsel Road, took the opportunity to say that the 14th Annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival was a huge success.  

Mayor Currey reported that shortly after the Councillors toured the rescue boat earlier this evening, a boating accident occurred and the town’s Fire Department rescued two people from the Connecticut River with their newly purchased rescue boat.

Marcia Leclerc stated that she enjoyed the tour of the town’s rescue boat earlier this evening and commented on the potential of East Hartford’s waterways.

Barbara Rossi said that she agrees with Irene Cone on the success of this year’s Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival and thanked all residents who attended.



ADJOURNMENT

MOTION  By Don Pitkin
                seconded by Bill Horan
                to adjourn (9:42 p.m.).
                Motion carried 9/0.


The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on August 18, 2009.




                                        Attest________________________________
                                                        Angela M. Attenello
                                                          TOWN COUNCIL CLERK