EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SEPTEMBER 1, 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, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson
ABSENT Councillor Linda A. Russo
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:38 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.
The Chair called for a moment of silence to honor the life of Eugene “Gene” Sullivan, who served on the Town Council from 1949 to 1953. Mr. Sullivan also served the town through various positions on Boards and Commissions.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Bill Horan
to amend the agenda by adding Item 9.F., under New
Business as follows:
Silver Lane Cemetery Extension of Time.
Motion carried 7/1. Nay: Pitkin
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to take Item 7.A. United Way Kick-off Presentation, under Communications
and Petitions, out of order, to accommodate those present.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
United Way Kick-off Presentation
Ed Chavez, a dispatcher for the Town of East Hartford, and Stacey Krechko, Youth Services Secretary, co-Chairs of this year’s United Way campaign, explained the strategy behind the campaign’s “Penny Wars” that is being used to enhance the contributions from Town Hall and Public Safety Complex employees. Mr. Chavez also stated that over $600,000 of United Way contributions have come back to the Town of East Hartford in various charitable formats, such as disaster relief, after school programs, mental health services, and much more.
At this point, the Council returned to the order of the agenda.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Beautification Commission: August 2009 Awards
Pat Sirois, chair of the East Hartford Beautification Commission, presented the August award for outstanding commercial landscape design to Taco Bell, 268 Silver Lane, and to the following individuals for outstanding residential landscape design: Mary Whaples, 572 Forest Street; The Fitzgerald Family, 410 Forest Street; The Lomazzo Family, 123 Jessica Drive; and The Johnston Family, 83 Montclair Drive.
Ms. Sirois stated that the Commission is thinking of initiating a Fall Award which would showcase plants and shrubs indicative of autumn.
The Council joined with Ms. Sirois and the Mayor in thanking all recipients for making East Hartford a more beautiful place to live.
Meritorious Proclamation: Joseph Janty
The following proclamation was read and presented by Mayor Currey:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Joe Janty of East Hartford happened to be in Glastonbury when he heard screams of someone
obviously in great distress; and
WHEREAS, without hesitation, Joe went to the aid of a woman whose purse was snatched outside a bank; and
WHEREAS, he and another unidentified man saw three teens running from the scene and they followed the young men to a car behind the restaurant; and
WHEREAS, Joe stood in front of the getaway car to prevent them from leaving the area and the teens gunned the car and ran into Joe; and
WHEREAS, he took a terrible beating from the teens after being hit by the car, however, he stood his ground enabling the police to take the driver who was the actual purse snatcher into custody.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melody A. Currey, Mayor, join with members of the East Hartford Town Council to offer our sincerest appreciation to
JOE JANTY
for his Good Samaritan actions and bravery preventing the purse snatcher from getting away.
The Mayor and the Council commended Mr. Janty for his heroism and expressed appreciation for the example that he has set for others.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, thanked Mr.Janty for his courageous display of heroism. As it pertains to the revised job description of Assistant Town Engineer, Ms. Kniep suggested that the requirements for a State of Connecticut certification as a professional engineer and for supervisory experience not be eliminated.
Mayor Currey (1) stated she received an anonymous letter from concerned parents regarding underage drinking parties in town being hosted by adults. The Mayor stated that adults who serve alcohol to minors, other than their own children, are subject to fines by the police; (2) informed the Council that she met with Connecticut Light and Power today to discuss power outages on Main Street and what can be done to prevent this; (3) thanked the Beautification Commission for their efforts in recognizing those residents and businesses who go the extra mile in landscaping their property; and (4) asked for the Council’s support on the revised job description of the Assistant Town Engineer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 18, 2009 Executive Session/Carlos Mouta
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2009 Executive Session/Carlos
Mouta.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Horan
August 18, 2009 Public Hearing/ Municipal Enterprise Zone and Reverse Auction
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2009 Public Hearing/Municipal
Enterprise Zone and Reverse Auction.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Horan
August 18, 2009 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Horan
RESOLUTIONS
State of Connecticut Agreement for Main Street and School Street Pavement Rehabilitation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Melody A. Currey, Mayor be, and hereby authorized to sign the agreement entitled:
“Agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of East Hartford for the Construction, Inspection, and Maintenance of Main Street and School Street Rehabilitation utilizing Federal Funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5.”
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS (Cont’d)
Development Department Presentation: East Hartford Works Brochure
Jeanne Webb, Director of Development, recapped the history of the East Hartford Works project to the Council, which she and Development Specialist Aya Beckles have been working on for the last three years. Ms. Webb stated that the marketing brochure “East Hartford Works”, which was a focus of Ms. Beckles, won Best in Class from the Northeast Economic Developer’s Association.
Aya Beckles, Development Specialist, gave a hands-on presentation of the website, ehworks.com, for the Council showing the ease of negotiating the website for businesses who are interested in relocating to East Hartford.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation from Personnel & Pensions Committee re: Assistant Town Engineer
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the revised job description for Assistant
Town Engineer as attached to and addressed in a memo
from Steven Bielenda, Director of Human Resources, to
Melody Currey, Mayor dated August 17, 2009. (see below)
Motion carried 8/0.
TITLE: Assistant Town Engineer
GRADE: 13
DEPARTMENT: Public Works (Engineering) DATE: September 1, 2009
General Description
This position consists of administrative and technical work in assisting in the direction of a municipal engineering department and the provision of technical engineering services.
Work involves responsibility for providing technical information and assistance to the public, Town departments, boards, and commissions. Duties include reviews and recommendation of subdivision plans, site plans, including inland wetlands recommendations, and acting as project engineer on State Aid Design Projects. This position also has the responsibility for making difficult civil engineering technical and administrative decisions. The work requires that the employee have knowledge, skill, and ability in every phase of municipal civil engineering work.
Supervision Received
Works under the direction of the Town Engineer.
Supervision Exercised
Assists the Town Engineer in supervising a small staff of engineering and technical employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assists in directing the operations of the Engineering Department and evaluates the design of engineering projects, the review of engineering plans, the drafting
of specifications, supervises the inspection of engineering projects under construction and the provision of engineering technical assistance, including inland
wetlands recommendations.
Reviews site plans for compliance with Town regulations and makes recommendations for their disposition to various Town boards, agencies, and commissions;
attends meetings.
Writes specifications for engineering projects, negotiates fees with consultants, and administers contract documents.
Confers with federal, state, regional agencies, utilities and other municipalities on civil engineering programs and problems including building renovations and
major projects.
Maintains a variety of records and prepares reports. Uses computer software to develop formats for various reports.
Confers with Town officials, contractors and the public to provide information and to resolve problems related to the drainage, grading, traffic operations and
similar matters.
Supervises the work of subordinate engineering and technical employees, as assigned. Acts for Town Engineer, as assigned.
Provides general guidance to the public in the preparation of Inland Wetlands, Agent Approval, and The Planning and Zoning Applications
.
Responsible for in-house design projects, including street and sidewalk construction, drainage improvements, recreation fields, streetscapes, and related projects.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of municipal civil engineering and surveying principles and practices.
Knowledge of road construction and drainage problems and their solutions.
Ability to manage construction projects performed by Town personnel and contractors.
Ability in oral and written communications.
Ability to enforce engineering standards with firmness and tact.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with other officials, coworkers, contractors, associates and the general public.
Ability to supervise the work of professional, technical and clerical employees.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, civil engineering technology or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, plus five years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience.
Special Requirements
Must have a valid Connecticut driver's license. License for land surveying is desirable. State of Connecticut Certification as a Professional Engineer is also desirable.
Tools and Equipment Used
Motor vehicle, computer, calculator, engineering drafting and surveying equipment and standard office equipment.
Physical and Mental Demands
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and listen. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and fingers when operating computer and calculator; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures or governmental regulations and to effectively present information and respond to questions from the public on a one-to-one basis and in groups. This position requires the ability to solve technical and practical problems and deal with a variety of variables.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work is usually conducted in typical office working conditions with virtually no disagreeable features. The noise level in the work environment is generally quite. When conducting investigations or inspections in the field the noise level may be moderately loud. May require inspection activities on undeveloped land.
General Guidelines
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does
not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Bid Waiver: Fire Department Medical Testing
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the bid waiver request from the East Hartford Fire
Department to use St. Francis Occupational Health to provide
testing of East Hartford Fire Department personnel for hepatitis C
as required by the State of Connecticut Occupational Health
and Safety Administration.
Motion carried 8/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $2,123.82
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
2007-03-0050514 |
ALATSATIANOS NICHOLAS |
429WBG |
($269.66) |
2008-03-0051144 |
ANDERSON SHARON |
883LEC |
($15.20) |
2008-03-0052341 |
BARAN JAN |
810SBB |
($19.98) |
2009-99-0015872 |
BEAUDRY SHARON |
PKT MARKER # 984WCT |
($15.00) |
2007-03-0052937 |
BELLEGARDE JEAN |
587WBV |
($23.02) |
2008-03-0054163 |
BRAULT NOEL O JR |
230WOA |
($14.45) |
2008-03-0054469 |
BROWN BENITA L |
723SPF |
($8.61) |
2004-03-0055109 |
CURRIER JESSICA |
360STE |
($42.53) |
2008-03-0059936 |
DELLARIPA DONALD V SR |
230XAV |
($49.15) |
2008-03-0060168 |
DESJARDIN ROBERT J JR OR |
FS6691 |
($10.00) |
|
DESJARDIN ELAINE |
|
|
2008-03-0060169 |
DESJARDIN ROBERT J JR OR |
717383 |
($13.40) |
|
DESJARDIN ELAINE |
|
|
2008-03-0060279 |
DIAZ DANIEL |
46600 |
($4.12) |
2008-03-0061785 |
ESADA BARBARA K |
HG6326 |
($10.92) |
2008-03-0062183 |
FELMER MARILYN D OR |
612DLA |
($17.46) |
|
FELMER RICHARD M |
|
|
2008-03-0062777 |
FONSECA MOISES O |
446WYR |
($12.16) |
2008-03-0063206 |
FREEMAN MALCOLM E |
750UWK |
($25.62) |
2008-03-0066557 |
HEIN DAVID F |
997LCR |
($17.17) |
2008-03-0072178 |
LUIS PEDRO M |
851748 |
($195.41) |
2008-03-0072328 |
M AND J BUS INC |
3CU700 |
($43.54) |
2008-03-0072330 |
M AND J BUS INC |
25A26 |
($35.76) |
2008-03-0072331 |
M AND J BUS INC |
25A28 |
($35.76) |
2008-03-0072332 |
M AND J BUS INC |
25A29 |
($124.81) |
2008-03-0073534 |
MATHIAU THOMAS J |
828701 |
($6.40) |
2008-03-0076849 |
NOLEN KAREN H |
828716 |
($5.99) |
2008-03-0078347 |
PASUMARTI MADHAVA R |
423TZE |
($7.73) |
2003-01-0000777 |
PEDEMONTI LAURA J |
31 HIGH ST UNIT #3101 |
($691.66) |
2008-03-0079028 |
PERRY DEBORAH M OR |
52CE21 |
($40.19) |
|
PERRY STEVEN L |
|
|
2007-03-0079582 |
PERUMBILLY SEBASTIAN A |
997RAR |
($51.04) |
2008-03-0079640 |
PIERSA ROBERT P SR OR |
21975C |
($82.02) |
|
PIERSA DEBRA E |
|
|
2008-03-0081210 |
RICCI DOLORES J |
HO7274 |
($7.51) |
2008-03-0081995 |
ROBLES ORLANDO L |
891UJC |
($47.26) |
2008-03-0082463 |
ROJAS JUAN |
901RUN |
($20.58) |
2008-03-0083969 |
SCHLEICHER RONALD F |
410KLD |
($40.22) |
2008-03-0084410 |
SHAIN RICHARD V |
6C8606 |
($10.95) |
2008-03-0084477 |
SHAW MICHAEL A |
450WSC |
($17.31) |
2005-04-0088552 |
SUTTON JAMES JR |
955UFL |
($42.61) |
2008-03-0086783 |
THERIAULT ALLAN B |
43CM45 |
($34.56) |
2008-03-0088759 |
VIDALON LUZMILA |
29UDM |
($14.06) |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
($2,123.82) |
Professional Services Agreement re: Flood Protection System Accreditation
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
that pursuant to Section 10-7(c) of the Town of East Hartford
Code of Ordinances, the Town Council waive the bidding
requirements of Section 10-7(b) of the Town of East Hartford
Code of Ordinances to authorize an amendment to the
May 6, 2008 contract between the Town of East Hartford and
GEI Consultants, Inc., in accordance with the memorandum
dated August 24, 2009 from Nick Casparino, Civil Engineer to
Billy Taylor, Public Works Director, in an amount not to exceed
$247,830.00, which is in the best interest of the Town as it will
allow the Town to meet the requirements of the Army Corps of
Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
with respect to the accreditation of the East Hartford Levee System.
Motion carried 8/0.
Council Rules of Procedure
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Eric Thompson
that the Town Council rescind its enactment of
November 12, 2007 that established Robert’s Rules
of Order as its rules of procedure.
Motion carried 8/0.
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Eric Thompson
that the Town Council adopt Robert’s Rules of Order as its
rules of procedure with the exception that the Chair shall not
be required to restate the motion of any Council member
unless requested by another Councillor, or when in the discretion
of the Chair, such restatement is necessary to avoid any
confusion as to the motion.
Motion carried 8/0.
Silver Lane Cemetery Extension of Time
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
that the time frame for the Town 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,
be extended to December 31, 2009.
Motion carried 5/3. Nays: Pitkin, Harmon, Thompson
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Don Pitkin asked (1) for an estimate on the cost to clear the land that will be Phase III of the Silver Lane cemetery; (2) that the Torpey Railroad Bridge be painted; (3) if the Golf Course was reimbursing the town properly and on time; (3) for an update on the repairs to the back stairs at the Veteran’s Memorial Clubhouse; (4) the Administration to supply the Council with a total cost to date on the repairs to the town’s levee system.
Eric Thompson asked for information on Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) and the credits/rebates that are realized by the Town.
Pat Harmon asked (1) that all parents supply their children with identification, which should include their name, address and phone number; (2) that all drivers use caution since school buses are back on the road; (3) that the Police Department patrol the areas around the schools when the buses are picking up and dropping off students; (4) if the Elk’s building is up for sale; and (5) for the dollars outstanding on parking tickets issued in Town.
Bill Horan congratulated all the students who just recently returned to school, both the town’s schools and the local Magnet schools.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Paul Roczynski, 244 Handel Road, inquired on the warranty for the re-surfacing of Brewer Street. Also, Mr. Roczynski suggested that the town coordinate their paving schedule with that of the utility companies.
Mayor Currey stated that the Engineering Department is pro-active in coordinating paving schedules with that of the various utility companies.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:42 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on September 15, 2009.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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