EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 16, 2010
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo,
Eric Thompson and Susan P. Skowronek
ABSENT Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin, and Councillor Barbara-Ann Rossi
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:36 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 Susan Skowronek
to amend the agenda as follows:
add, under New Business, Item 9. D. entitled,
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition
Committee re: 752 Main Street.
Motion carried 6/0.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Proclamation for Artan Martinaj, 335 Goodwin Street
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to postpone action until the next Town Council meeting.
Motion carried 6/0.
Resolution Honoring Bruce Gaudette
MOTION By Susan Skowronek
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, Bruce Gaudette was born and raised in the town of East Hartford; and
Whereas, Bruce Gaudette loved the town and its residents, serving in many positions where he could help improve his community; and
Whereas, Bruce Gaudette served as chair of the East Hartford Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities; and
Whereas, Bruce Gaudette loved his immediate family – wife Debbie, daughters Lorilynn, Maria, Victoria and son, Bruce, Junior – and his extended family in particular his grandchildren, Dakota and Bryan; and
Whereas, Bruce Gaudette was known for his deep concern and caring for his native town as well as his wit and sense of humor; and
Whereas, Bruce Gaudette left this world far too soon.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the East Hartford Town Council extends its heartfelt appreciation to Bruce Gaudette for all his contributions to our community and sympathy to his wife and former Town Councilor, Debbie, on his passing.
On call of the vote, motion carried 6/0.
Debbie Gaudette, Bruce’s wife, thanked the Council for this resolution honoring her husband’s life.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Currey (1) remembered Bruce Gaudette for his sense of humor and thanked the Council for the resolution honoring him; (2) stated that Census 2010 has begun and stressed the importance of the participation of all residents in East Hartford; and (3)
announced that the interim Human Resources Director is Ron Savitski, who was the Human Resources Director for the State Police.
To accommodate those present, the following motion was made.
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to take item 9. B. entitled Outdoor Amusement Permit Application:
Burnside Craft Brew Festival, out of order.
Motion carried 6/0.
NEW BUSINESS
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: Burnside Craft Brew Festival
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application submitted by
the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department, in conjunction with
The Burnside Brewing Company, to conduct a Craft Brewing Festival at
Martin Park, 307 Burnside Avenue, on Saturday, June 12, 2010 from
approximately 9AM to 11PM with music from 6PM to 11PM, 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 6/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 27, 2010 Budget Workshop/Various Departments
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2010 Budget
Workshop/Various Departments.
Motion carried 6/0.
March 1, 2010 Budget Workshop/Grants-Public Works-Parks & Recreation-Health &
Social Services
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2010 Budget Workshop/Grants-
Public Works-Parks & Recreation-Health & Social Services.
Motion carried 6/0.
March 2, 2010 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 6/0.
March 3, 2010 Public Hearing/2010-2011 Budget
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2010 Public Hearing/2010-2011
Budget.
Motion carried 6/0.
March 8, 2010 Special Meeting/Solid Waste Collection System
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2010 Special Meeting/Solid Waste
Collection System.
Motion carried 6/0.
March 9, 2010 Special Meeting/2010-2011 Budget
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting/2010-2011 Budget.
Motion carried 6/0.
RESOLUTIONS
Grocery Delivery Program Grant
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to adopt the following resolution:
That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $7,500 and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a funding agreement and any amendments as may be required with the North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc. for the purposes of administering a grocery delivery to elderly residents program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 6/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Presentation by Matt Menchetti: Update of Golf Course
Mayor Currey introduced Matt Menchetti, owner of MDM, Inc. and manager of the East
Hartford Golf Course. Mr. Menchetti stated that since he has managed the golf course
over the last two years, much work has been done to restore and renovate the course,
such as: the installation of new irrigation heads, cleaning and repairing of clogged drain
lines and pipes, and making the golf course more user friendly. The clubhouse has been
completely renovated with new carpet and tile, new restaurant equipment, new tables and
chairs. Additionally, Mr. Menchetti explained that major tree encroachment was keeping
sunlight penetration and air circulation from getting to greens and tees. Those trees were
removed in order to provide the greens with light and air which promotes healthy turf.
Also, Mr. Menchetti stated that the golf course restaurant is a work in progress, but that it
is slowly starting to gain momentum.
Informational Update: Kilty Property
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel, stated that the requirements put forth by the
Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee for environmental remediation of the
Kilty property, have been satisfactorily completed. This property will be purchased by the
town for use as open space. Attorney Gentile said that a closing date of March 26, 2010
has been tentatively set.
NEW BUSINESS (Cont’d)
Appointment to the Fine Arts Commission
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the appointment of Roberta Sweeney to the Fine Arts
Commission, whose term shall expire 12/14.
Motion carried 6/0.
Public Works Department: Bid Waiver – Recycling Program:
Curbside Collection
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to waive the bidding requirements of Town Ordinance Section 10-7(c)
and authorize the Administration to enter into a five year contract with
Trash-Away, Inc. to provide automated bi-weekly curbside collection of
recyclables, commencing on or after July 10, 2010, at an initial rate of
$1.66 per unit per month (with an annual increase of 2% per unit for each
of years 2 through 5), such waiver being in the best interests of
the Town because it will allow for automated curbside collection of
recyclables at a lower unit cost than it currently pays.
Motion carried 6/0.
New Recycling Carts
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to waive the bidding requirements of Town Ordinance Section 10-7(c)
and authorize the Administration to enter into a contract with Trash-Away,
Inc. for the assembly and distribution of new roll-out recycling carts to
16,500 dwelling units, and the provision of a digital database containing the
address and corresponding identification number of each new roll-out
recycling cart delivered, at the rate of $3.50 per unit, such waiver being in
the best interests of the Town because the rate to be paid is less than the
per unit rate bid by the lowest responsible bidder under a recent Capital
Region Purchasing Council bid.
Motion carried 6/0.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee: 752 Main Street
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the
matter pertaining to the property located at 752 Main Street for its
consideration to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the property with
instructions for the Committee to review the proposal and to report back to
the Town Council with its recommendation, if any.
Motion carried 6/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Marcia Leclerc asked how residents would dispose of broken recycling bins once the new single-stream recycling starts in July.
Eric Thompson inquired on who is listed as an insured driver for the car driven by the Mayor.
Susan Skowronek (1) asked when the Golf Course restaurant will re-open; (2) requested an update on the DePietro Park; (3) said that she’s received calls regarding excessive speeding and noise from cars along Tolland Street and asked whether the Town or the State receives the revenue generated by speeding tickets issued; (4) received a suggestion from a constituent regarding increasing permitting fees; and (5) stated that there should be a limit on how long a garbage barrel can be left at curbside.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Minnie Beckles v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel
to fully and finally settle the personal injury claim of
Minnie Beckles for the total sum of $6,500.00.
Motion carried 6/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Marc Weinberg wished Rich Kehoe a belated happy birthday.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to adjourn (8:55 p.m.).
Motion carried 6/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on Wednesday, April 7, 2010.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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