TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 2, 2010
PRESENT William P. Horan, Jr., Temporary Chair, Councillors Linda Russo and Eric Thompson
ALSO Melody Currey, Mayor
PRESENT Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Jeanne Webb, Development Director
CALL TO ORDER
Temporary Chair Horan called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m.
NOMINATION OF OFFICERS
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to nominate Linda Russo as Chair
of the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee.
Motion carried 3/0.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Linda Russo
to nominate Bill Horan as Secretary
of the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee.
Motion carried 3/0.
ADOPTION OF RULES GOVERNING MEETINGS
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order as the rules that shall govern
parliamentary procedure at all subcommittee meetings, with the exception
that (1) 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; and (2) where such rules are in conflict with
the provisions of the State Statutes, the Town Charter, or Town
Ordinances.
Motion carried 3/0.
ESTABLISHMENT OF MEETING DATES
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to hold meetings at the call of the Chair.
Motion carried 3/0.
STORAGE OF RECORDS
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to store records in the Town Council office.
Motion carried 3/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 27, 2009
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2009 Real Estate Acquisition &
Disposition Committee meeting.
Motion carried 3/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
NEW BUSINESS
Acquisition of Interest in Property Owned by the State of Connecticut (Easterly Section of Right-of-Way Along Route 2)
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile initiated a general discussion of the town’s negotiations with the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) regarding the easement sought by the Town. At the request of Chair Russo, Mayor Currey called Joseph Marie, the Commissioner of the D.O.T. to confirm his position on this issue. Mayor Currey reported back to the Committee that Commissioner Marie wanted to discuss the matter with legal counsel.
No further action taken at this time.
Willowbrook School: 95 Willowbrook Road
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile initiated a general discussion regarding the potential disposition of the property at 95 Willowbrook Road, also known as Willowbrook School. The Board of Education is no longer using the property, so the town could sell the property subject to the lease to the Board of Education. Attorney Gentile informed the Committee that Goodwin College had expressed an interest in the property. He discussed the appraisal process required for the town to sell the property. Councillor Thompson expressed concern over possible environmental issues. Attorney Gentile noted that, per the lease, the Board of Education would continue to use the property for $1.00 per year for the term of the lease, while the town could receive the proceeds of the sale immediately. Mayor Currey noted
that Goodwin College is interested in opening a magnet school on the property, with a new access road.
Section 10-7 of the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances sets forth the procedure by which the town would obtain an appraisal, which Attorney Gentile believes would cost less than $5,000.00 to complete. A detailed discussion of the process was undertaken. A discussion also took place regarding the RFP process for the sale of the property under Town Ordinances.
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
that this Committee, having determined that efficiency will be best served
by selecting an appraiser under Section 10-7 of the Town of East Hartford
Code of Ordinances, ask the Administration to procure an appraisal on 95
Willowbrook Road (a.k.a. The Willowbrook School) pursuant to the bidding
procedures of Section 10-7 of the Code of Ordinances, and issue a
Request for Proposal (RFP) for the sale of said property subject to a
leasing arrangement with the East Hartford Board of Education.
Motion carried 3/0.
OLD BUSINESS
Kilty Farms Property: Phase III Environmental Testing
Director of Development Jeanne Webb initiated a general discussion of the town’s progress with the Kilty Farms property, and the action taken on the property thus far pursuant to recommendations by Fuss & O’Neill per the Phase III study. The property sellers would need to take further remediation action before the closing on the property.
No further action taken at this time.
Burnside Avenue Drainage Outfall Reconstruction Easement Acquisitions
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile initiated a general discussion regarding the town’s progress in obtaining the easements necessary to make drainage repairs. Negotiations are ongoing.
No further action taken at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (1:17 p.m.)
Motion carried 3/0.
cc: Town Council
Melody Currey, Mayor
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Jeanne Webb, Development Director
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