EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SEPTEMBER 15, 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 7:35 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 amend the agenda as follows:
add Item 9.C., under New Business, entitled:
Bid Waiver re: Firehouse #5, LEED Certification.
Motion carried 9/0.
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Eric Thompson
to amend the agenda as follows:
add Item 9.D., under New Business, entitled:
Audit of the Handicapped Program.
Motion defeated 3/6. Yeas: Pitkin, Harmon, Thompson
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
East Hartford Police Department K-9 Division: 2009 K-9 Olympics
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
Whereas, East Hartford K-9 partners John Zavalick and Axel, and Todd Mona and Primo participated in the 2009 Connecticut Police K-9 Olympics; and
Whereas, East Hartford has won many awards in these Olympics taking 1st Place Overall 12 times; and
Whereas, Officer Zavalick and Axel took 1st place in the tactical obedience category and 6th place overall, and Officer Mona and Primo, both of whom were seriously injured eight months ago, finished in the top twenty; and
Whereas, the East Harford Police K-9 unit successfully maintains public safety each day and protects the safety of police officers in many dangerous situations.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Hartford Town Council congratulates the Office/K-9 teams of John Zavalick and Axel, and Todd Mona and Primo on their success at the 17th annual K-9 Olympics and extend our appreciation for the East Hartford K-9 team’s hard work and dedication to the people of East Hartford throughout the year.
Also, let it further be known, that Mayor Melody A. Currey joins the Town Council in this affirmation of tribute and honor.
Officer Zavalick, who accepted this resolution on behalf of the K-9 division, praised the efforts of Officer Mona in returning to work so soon after being injured in the line of duty.
The Council and the Mayor congratulated all the Officers/K-9 teams for a job well done, both at the Olympics and in their daily protection of the citizens of East Hartford.
Meritorious Award – Jason Race, Firefighter
Mayor Currey read the following proclamation:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Firefighter Jason Race was vacationing with his family in Rhode Island at Charlestown Pond on
July 13, 2009; and
WHEREAS, while boating, he observed a surfboarder separated from his surfboard; and
WHEREAS, he searched the area and located the victim, who was not wearing a life jacket, clinging to a
mooring ball struggling to stay afloat; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Race dove into the water, brought him onto his vessel where medical attention was
administered.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melody A. Currey, Mayor, join with the members of the East Hartford Town Council to
offer our sincerest appreciation to
JASON D. RACE
for his Good Samaritan efforts and quick actions in aiding to save a life.
Fire Chief Oates personally congratulated Firefighter Race for his heroic efforts. The entire Council joined with Chief Oates and the Mayor in this tribute of honor.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, 37 Greene Terrace, Chair of the East Hartford Board of Education, spoke to item 7.A. “In-Kind Services Provided to the Board of Education by the Town of East Hartford for Fiscal Year 2008-2009”, noting the correlation between the calculations of the per pupil cost and the amount of ECS monies allotted to the Town from the State. Additionally, Ms. Dwyer-Hughes asked for the Council’s support for item 9. A., “2010-2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Board of Education and the East Hartford Education Association”.
Mayor Currey (1) stated that there was a good turnout for the Senior Picnic held today at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Retirees’ Club. The Mayor congratulated the Commission on Aging for their tireless efforts in making this event a success; (2) commented that it is a pleasure working with Ms. Dwyer-Hughes on the shared services between the Board of Education and the Town.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 1, 2009 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the September 1, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
At this point, Chair Kehoe recognized Councillor Weinberg with a point of personal privilege to announce the birthdays of the following three people: Mary Martin, the Town’s Grants Administrator, Robert DeCrescenzo, former Mayor of East Hartford, and Rich Gentile, the Town’s Assistant Corporation Counsel.
RESOLUTIONS
Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to adopt the following resolution:
Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority
WHEREAS the municipalities constituting the Mid-Connecticut Project have been researching solutions for long-term solid waste disposal when their contract with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority expires in 2012; and
WHEREAS other municipalities in the Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials and elsewhere have
expressed interest in joining efforts with the Mid-Connecticut Project municipalities to find long-term solid
waste disposal solutions; and
WHEREAS the Capitol Region Council of Governments has performed a regional solid waste options analysis and successfully tested the presence of alternatives in the private market through a Request for Information for Integrated Regional Solid Waste Management Services covering Transfer, Transportation, Disposal and Processing/Recycling Services; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Region Council of Governments Executive Committee has authorized CRCOG staff
to facilitate the forming of a solid waste management authority to represent municipalities interested in
conducting an RFP and negotiating for long-term solid waste disposal services; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford has expressed preliminary interest in taking part in the solid waste
authority formed by the Capitol Region Council of Governments, the “Central Connecticut Solid Waste
Authority.”
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the East Hartford Town Council does hereby preliminarily endorse the above referenced Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority and authorizes Melody A. Currey, Mayor, to sign all necessary agreements and take all necessary actions to allow the Town to pay a fee of $500 to help defray the professional fees necessary to draft a model ordinance which the Town would then adopt if it decided to become a member of the Authority, as well as other costs of creating the Authority.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Roberts Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project
MOTION By Barbara Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, be and is 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 Roberts Street Pavement Rehabilitation utilizing Federal Funds under the Urban Component of the Surface Transportation Program”.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
2009-2010 State Department of Education Youth Service Bureau Grant
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of this municipality a grant application in an amount not to exceed $50,000 with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for a “Youth Service Bureau Grant” and to file any amendments or reports as may be required to successfully complete the terms of the grant contract.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
In-kind Services Provided to the Board of Education by the Town of East Hartford for
Fiscal Year 2008-2009
Chair Kehoe explained the working benefits of the cooperation between the Town and the
Board of Education in utilizing some of the same resources. Mayor Currey and Ms.
Dwyer-Hughes, the Board’s Chair, discussed some cost effective ideas such as the
possibility of sharing in the leaf collection process, lawn care of town properties,
purchasing office supplies in bulk for both the Town and the Board, and some computer
technologies that could be shared.
NEW BUSINESS
2010-2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement: East Hartford Board of Education and the East Hartford Education Association
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to accept 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, 2013.
Motion carried 9/0.
Note: A copy of this contract follows these minutes
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the following appointments:
- Board of Ethics: Stanley deMello; term to expire December 2013
- Patriotic Commission: Susan Tukey; term to expire December 2011
Motion carried 9/0.
Bid Waiver re: Firehouse #5, LEED Certification
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
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 July 10, 2007 contract
between the Town and Silver/Petrucelli & Associates, in accordance
with the attached July 15, 2009 letter and amendment to the Professional
Services Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $10,500.00, which is in
the best interests of the Town as it will improve the chances of the Town's
receipt of Federal Stimulus Funding for Firehouse #5.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Don Pitkin asked for an update on the proposed five-town shared animal shelter.
Marcia Leclerc inquired on the status of the remainder of the new windows to be installed at Town Hall.
Marc Weinberg stated that a resident wanted him to relay her thanks to the Mayor for a job well done on the repairs to Burnham Street.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Sgt. Tim Irwin v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel
to settle the property damage claim of Sgt. Tim Irwin
for the total sum of $210.00.
Motion carried 9/0.
Town of East Hartford v. Venus Lounge, Inc. et al
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Don Pitkin
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel
to settle the case entitled Town of East Hartford v. Venus
Lounge, Inc., 1268 Main Street, Inc., Big Mike’s Pub, Inc. and
Michael J. Fabrizi, by entry of a permanent injunction
restraining the Defendants from operating a sexually oriented
business, as defined in Article 7 of the Town’s Ordinances,
under penalty of $500.00 per day, effective October 1, 2009.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:05 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be October 6, 2009.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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