EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OCTOBER 20, 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 7:34 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
Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy
MOTION By Pat Harmon
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, the Connecticut IB Academy is a magnet high school located in the town of East Hartford, drawing 167 students from ten area towns including the town of East Hartford; and
Whereas, the Connecticut IB Academy interacts on a regular basis with the students at neighboring East Hartford High School; and
Whereas, the Connecticut IB Academy offers students the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, with the stated goal of preparing students to become “critical and compassionate thinkers, lifelong learners, and informed participants in local and world affairs”; and
Whereas, the Connecticut IB Academy students have been accepted at colleges from American University to Yale, from the University of Michigan to Florida Institute of Technology, from Brandeis to the University of Southern California; and
Whereas, the Connecticut IB Academy has been recognized this year as the Best Secondary Magnet School and most recently, has been ranked 24th among 1500 of the best high schools in the United States by Newsweek magazine.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the East Hartford Town Council hereby offers its heartfelt congratulations to the staff and students of the Connecticut IB Academy, recognizing that it is the combined efforts of students, teachers and staff that has made this school so successful and highly recognized.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
The Town Council joined with the Mayor in presenting the above resolution to Art Arpin, the principal of the Connecticut IB Academy. Mr. Arpin thanked the Council for this recognition and especially thanked the students for making the IB Academy what it is today. Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, Chair of the Board of Education, expressed her pride in the program and congratulated the students who attend the IB Academy. The Chair acknowledged the presence of Dorese Roberts, a member of the Board of Education.
2009 Connecticut Youth Services Association Program of the Year Award
Mayor Currey introduced Linda Chamberlain, Youth Services Program Coordinator, and Cephus Nolen, Director of Youth Services. Mr. Nolen announced that the “YOU”th Can Make A Difference Peer Leadership Program was recognized as the 2009 Connecticut Youth Services Association Program of the Year. Mr. Nolen explained that this particular program was developed and designed by 6th grade students who took an active role in being positive role models for their peers in their community. Ms. Chamberlain called upon three of the students involved in the program who were in attendance to present to the Mayor the group’s logo, “Stop & Think”, in a framed poster.
The Mayor introduced Nathan Quesnel, the principal of the East Hartford Middle School, who stated that he was very proud of his students and the faculty and that he saw future leaders of the town in the eyes of his students.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Currey announced (1) that Timothy and Laura Shriel, 859 Burnside Avenue, have invited all to drive by their home on Halloween to enjoy the outdoor display; (2) the East Hartford Police Department, in compliance with a directive from the United States Department of Justice, has issued a press release which indicates a rise in burglaries, in part attributed to a downturn in the economy. The press release also cites several commonsense precautions that residents can implement to help insure safety in their homes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 6, 2009 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
RESOLUTIONS
Emergency Management Performance Grant
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Don Pitkin
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the Mayor, Melody A. Currey, be and hereby is authorized to act on behalf of the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford, Connecticut, in executing a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, for participation in the Fiscal Year 2010 Emergency Management Performance Grant program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation from Ordinance Committee re: Section 16-5(h) entitled “Condominium Association Residential Municipal Solid Waste Collection”
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to amend Section 16-5 of the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances
by adding a new subsection (h) entitled “Condominium Association
Residential Municipal Solid Waste Collection”.
Motion carried 9/0.
Note: Vice Chair Horan read the ordinance into the motion.
Condominium Association Residential Municipal Solid Waste Collection Ordinance
(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the town may provide residential municipal solid waste collection and disposal for a condominium association of not more than twenty dwelling units where the percentage of owner-occupied units is less than fifty percent if: (1) the association enters into a contract with the town for such services on an annual basis, beginning July 1st and ending June 30th, and pays an annual fee equal to an amount determined by the Finance Director to be the average cost of residential municipal solid waste collection and disposal per dwelling unit multiplied by the number of dwelling units in such condominium association; (2) such association pays for the cost of the automated refuse containers required for
residential municipal solid waste collection under this section and any other containers that meet town standards for residential municipal solid waste collection; and (3) such collection and containers are placed on a street on which the town’s refuse collection vehicles already collect residential municipal solid waste or in such other area designated by the Director of Public Works. The association shall file with the Director of Public Works an initial written request for services under this subsection no later than December 31st of the year preceding July 1st of the year in which such collection services shall begin. Prior to July 1, 2010, the town may enter into a contract for such services for a term of less than one year and shall assess such fees on a pro-rata basis. The town may suspend or refuse to perform residential municipal solid waste collection and disposal services if the association fails to meet its obligations under the
contract.
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: 18th Annual Aselton Memorial Snow Dash
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application filed
jointly by the East Hartford Parks & Recreation Department
and the East Hartford Police Department to conduct the Town’s
annual 5K road race (Snow Dash), now known as the 18th Annual
Aselton Memorial Snow Dash, to be held in the vicinity of the Langford
School, 61 Alps Drive, and surrounding streets in East Hartford on Sunday,
January 10, 2010 between the hours of noon and 4:00PM; the use of
public streets will occur between the hours of 1:30PM and should cease by
2:15 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 9/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to refund taxes in the amount of $9, 251.78
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
2007-03-050639 |
ALEXIUM LEASING COMPANY |
2007/482WGE/JS3TD947474204818 |
$ (504.16) |
2008-03-053436 |
BJORKMAN MATTHEW C |
2005/923SFB/4S3BL676656204870 |
$ (23.54) |
2008-01-011559 |
CARRINGTON MORTGAGE |
169 LYDALL RD |
$(1,279.87) |
|
C/O PROP. TAX SOLUTIONS |
|
|
2007-03-056900 |
CHARRY WALTER |
2000/787AAA/JT8BF28G9Y0271430 |
$ (85.42) |
2007-03-059809 |
DCFS TRUST |
2005/899TOP/WDBRF40J45F604501 |
$ (90.62) |
2007-03-059840 |
DCFS TRUST |
2006/584UJM/1J4GR48K66C242567 |
$ (36.16) |
2008-03-059660 |
DCFS TRUST |
2007/537WAO/1J8HR58277C629025 |
$ (168.84) |
2008-03-059669 |
DCFS TRUST |
2007/563WFA/1J4FA54127L175344 |
$ (112.64) |
2007-03-062191 |
EVERETT MICHAEL J |
1993/684FTE/1G4NV54N7PC286959 |
$ (7.12) |
2007-04-083407 |
GMAC AUTOMOTIVE BANK |
2008/607WMP/YS3FB49Y181108520 |
$ (525.25) |
2007-03-067853 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2008/512WLL/2HGFG12658H504517 |
$ (109.36) |
2008-03-067393 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2007/248WKG/1HGCM56827A178591 |
$ (441.80) |
2008-03-067418 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2005/395TXT/JH4CL96815C029145 |
$ (69.48) |
2008-03-067422 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/425URJ/1HGCM56836A170515 |
$ (67.00) |
2008-03-067434 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2008/512WLL/2HGFG12658H504517 |
$ (371.50) |
2008-03-067437 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/522UOV/1HGCM66506A065023 |
$ (73.90) |
2008-03-067445 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2004/552TEV/1HGCM56324A142366 |
$ (70.68) |
2008-03-067462 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/617UHG/SHSRD78856U411167 |
$ (219.16) |
2008-03-067473 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/646SKF/1HGCM56326A096024 |
$ (152.27) |
2008-03-067477 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/659RYZ/1HGCM56746A025412 |
$ (219.00) |
2008-03-067483 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/683UPT/1HGCM66576A062670 |
$ (110.60) |
2008-03-067499 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/792SFJ/1HGCM66526A059210 |
$ (147.34) |
2008-03-067513 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2008/867WKL/2HGFA15518H300169 |
$ (93.96) |
2008-03-0067514 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/875UMM/1HGCM567X6A142816 |
$ (292.16) |
2008-03-0067526 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2007/965WJR/JHLRE48387C113396 |
$ (37.98) |
2008-03-0067529 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2006/980UEV/2HGFA16806H509067 |
$ (94.54) |
2008-03-0067532 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2007/988WGN/2HGFA16857H303129 |
$ (277.55) |
2008-03-0067535 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2007/43CR33/2HJYK16577H504620 |
$ (43.70) |
2008-03-0067376 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2004/169TEJ/2HGES16394H609517 |
$ (56.85) |
2007-03-0068524 |
JACKMAN CHRISTOPHER L |
2007/420TXV/1G2ZG58NX74119133 |
$ (271.95) |
2007-03-0072956 |
MAGEE BONNIE L |
1998/677PXO/YV1LS5672W1503843 |
$ (74.39) |
2007-03-0092013 |
MALAVE CARMEN L |
1998/893UWK/1FMPU18L7WLA67267 |
$ (140.36) |
2008-03-0073921 |
MCDANIEL ZEKE P |
1993/574NFG/YV1AW8800P1941081 |
$ (20.46) |
2008-03-0081976 |
ROBINSON SHEMIKA R |
2002/855UGG/4M2ZU86E52UJ27619 |
$ (27.64) |
2007-03-0085471 |
SINGLETARY MARSHA L |
1994/631WAL/1G2NE5538RM591695 |
$ (27.52) |
2004-01-0000496 |
WASSIK SANDRA G |
11 BLISS ST |
$(2,885.54) |
2007-03-0090849 |
WILSON MARY R |
1999/100DYD/3VWSC29M6XM052464 |
$ (21.47) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$(9,251.78) |
Referral to Personnel & Pensions Subcommittee re: Revised Job Description for Assistant Town Clerk
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Personnel & Pensions Subcommittee the proposed
revised job description for the Assistant Town Clerk and that the
Committee return to the Town Council with their recommendations and
changes, if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Eric Thompson (1) asked the Mayor to comment on a recent article in the EH Gazette regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission; (2) asked the Mayor to comment on litigation that is pending regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission; (3) would like a list of town services and the cost of same that is provided to the residents of Handel Court, even though Handel Court is a private right-of-way and not a town accepted street.
Pat Harmon (1) inquired on what the town plans to do with the abandoned firehouse on Bissell Street; (2) asked why a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) was granted to the Public Safety Complex, and not a permanent C. O.; and (3) inquired if there was any work left unfinished or deemed substandard at the Public Safety Complex that led to the reason for the issuance of a temporary C.O.
Don Pitkin (1) inquired on when the town was going to open the bids for the renovations at the Veterans’ Memorial Clubhouse and what the estimate was for that repair work; and (2) commented that there is a local architect who would volunteer his services, if needed, on the Pitkin Vault.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked Pat Harmon for her questions on the Public Safety Complex; (2) thanked the Mayor for making the public aware of the press release issued by the East Hartford Police Department; (3) believes that the press release should be made available for the public on the town’s website and available at the Town Clerk’s office, as well as published in the local newspapers; (3) suggested that the Town Council set term limits for the town’s Boards and Commissions; (4) asked that the Town Council office retain a copy of the Johnson Controls contract; (5) thought that the addendum to the 2007 Johnson Controls contract should go to a referendum and not a lease-purchase agreement; (6) believes that the Town Council Agenda should be more specific with agenda items that impact taxpayer
money.
Mayor Currey (1) reiterated that the press release issued by the East Hartford Police Department was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice; (2) stated that a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) cannot be issued if there are any outstanding security or public safety problems in the structure; (3) said that Corporation Counsel’s office is opened five days a week, even though the secretarial position has been reduced to a part-time position which is two days a week; (4) spoke to the closing of the Master’s Club which is a direct result of the effective action taken by the Planning and Zoning Commission; and (5) stated that lease-purchase agreements are a standard operating procedure within the budget process and dates back to the early 1990’s.
Don Pitkin (1) commended the Planning and Zoning Commission for their part in the closing of the Master’s Club and also commended the Town Council, and specifically the Ordinance Committee, for unanimously approving the passage of the new Sexually Oriented Businesses ordinance in August 2008; (2) inquired on the current licensing of the remaining sexually oriented businesses in town; and (3) asked for the definition of burglary and robbery. Vice Chair Horan explained the difference.
Eric Thompson asked if the Administration has plans to purchase the building that housed the Elks Club on Roberts Street.
Rich Kehoe wished all the candidates in the upcoming election good luck.
Don Pitkin joined the Chair in wishing all the candidates good luck and thanked Channel 5 for their services over the last two year.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:50 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next regular meeting of the Town Council would be held on November 24, 2009.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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