EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAY 4, 2010
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Barbara-Ann Rossi, Linda A. Russo, Eric Thompson and Susan P. Skowronek
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:40 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 Eric Thompson
to amend the agenda as follows:
add, under Council Action on Executive Session Matters,
item 11. B. Leinad, Inc. vs. Town of East Hartford.
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair recognized the passing of Donald H. Pitkin, Minority Leader, by briefly summarizing Mr. Pitkin’s service to the town through the various boards and commissions on which he served. Each Councillor, along with the Mayor, remarked on what knowing Mr. Pitkin meant to them. The Chair read the following poem that was recited at Mr. Pitkin’s funeral:
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has left the world better than he found it whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.
At this point, the Chair called for a moment of silence to honor Mr. Pitkin’s life. He will be sorely missed.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked those people who had extended condolences to her on the death of her husband, and included thanking Donald Pitkin – who had taken the time to call her when he was convalescing to express his sympathies; and (2) believes that, due to a poor economy, the town cannot afford a bond referendum for road improvements.
Mayor Currey (1) stated that the Veterans’ Commission confirmed the placement of the American Flag in the Council Chambers should be in the center of the town and state flags and be slightly elevated; (2) announced the town’s transfer station will be opened every Saturday in May; (3) said that the Bridge to Bridge Clean-up on Main Street will be Saturday, May 15th from 10AM to 2PM; (4) noted that the pothole on the corner of Balsam and Wildflower, that was referenced at the April 20th Town Council meeting under Questions from Councillors, has been filled; and (5) stated that she strongly supports the bond referendum for the road improvement program.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 20, 2010 Executive Session/AUM Realty-Somnath Inc.-Eugene Ofori
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2010 Executive Session/AUM
Realty – Somnath Inc. – Eugene Ofori.
Motion carried 8/0.
April 20, 2010 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Questions/Answers from Councillors at the April 20, 2010 Town Council Meeting
Chair Kehoe briefly summarized the questions from Councillors and the answers to those
questions.
Road Improvement Program: Bond Referendum
Mayor Currey and Denise Horan, Town Engineer, gave an overview of the improved condition of some of the town’s roads since the start of
the road program in 2003. A brochure printed by Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), the consulting pavement engineers hired to
perform a network-based evaluation of the condition of the town’s roads, showed maps which were coded with a pavement condition index
(PCI). The PCI is used as a planning tool to decide how best to utilize funds from the bond referendum – the lower the PCI number, the
more in need of repair and restoration. Ms. Horan stated that there is still more work to do on the roads and recommends that the town
moves forward with a bond referendum this November to continue the improvement program.
The Mayor stated that she has been discussing the road improvement program with different groups of people for months and all are in
favor of continuing this important project.
NEW BUSINESS
Bid Waiver: Reverse Auction/Natural Gas - CRCOG
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve a waiver of Town Ordinance Section 10-7(d)
which would enable the Town to participate in a reverse
auction with the Capitol Region Council of Governments
(CRCOG) for the procurement of natural gas for the
fiscal years 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014.
Motion carried 8/0.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to refer to the Ordinance Committee the issue of the
reverse auction process as stated in Section 10-7(d) of the
Code of Ordinances, with instructions to review the matter
and to return to Council its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 8/0.
Bid Waiver: Contract Cap Increase – Scope Construction re: Town Hall Windows
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to increase the cost cap on the contract with Scope Construction
for the replacement of windows at the East Hartford Town Hall
from $307,000.00, which was initially set and approved at the May 5, 2009
Town Council meeting, to a cost not to exceed $347,000.00.
Motion carried 8/0.
Note: Prior to the vote on the following agenda item, the Chair left the Chamber. Vice Chair Horan assumed the Chair position.
Recommendation from Fees Committee re: Health Department Environmental Additional Fees and Fee Increases
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the proposed additional fees and increases, with the
exception for the fees charged to non-profit organizations, by the
Environmental Health Division of the town’s Health Department as follows:
New Fees:
Public Pool Licenses $100
Daycare Center Environmental Inspection $100
Kennel License $100
School Inspection $100
Group Home Inspection $100
Soil Test Observation $100
Subsurface Sewage Plan Review/Approval $150
Fee Increases:
Temporary Food Service License $ 75
- If submitted less than 2 weeks prior
to the event $100
such new fees and fee increases to take effect beginning July 1, 2010,
except for the Public Pool license fee which will take effect May 5, 2010.
Motion carried 7/0. (Kehoe out of Chamber)
Outdoor Amusement Permit Applications:
Brian Aselton Memorial Motorcycle Run
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application filed by Norm
LeBlanc of Trantolo & Trantolo to conduct the Brian Aselton Memorial
Motorcycle Run beginning at Gengras Motorcycles located 221 Governor
Street on Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 7AM to Noon, 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 7/0. (Kehoe out of Chamber)
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to waive the associated permitting fee for the Brian Aselton
Motorcycle Run.
Motion carried 7/0. (Kehoe out of Chamber)
KB Memorial Criterium Bicycle Races
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application, Keith Berger
Memorial Criterium Bicycle Races, submitted by Mark Paggioli,
President, Capital Velo Club Cycling Team, to conduct a series of bicycle
races on Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 9:30AM to 3:30PM from Founders
Plaza and the following streets: East River Drive, Pitkin Street, Meadow
Street, and Hartland Street; 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 7/0. (Kehoe out of Chamber)
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to waive the associated permitting fee for the Keith Berger Memorial
Criterium Bicycle Races.
Motion carried 7/0. (Kehoe out of Chamber)
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Eric Thompson is concerned about safety issues that could arise from the outdoor eating area at Town Fish restaurant located on Silver Lane.
Note: At this point, Chair Kehoe returned to the Chamber.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Falvey Linen & Uniform Supply of Connecticut vs. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office
to settle the tax appeal case entitled Falvey Linen & Uniform Supply of CT
v. Town of East Hartford and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce
the fair market value of the personal property located in and throughout the
Town of East Hartford, owned by Falvey Linen & Uniform Supply of CT,
beginning with the Grand List year of October 1, 2005, to the sum of
$29,870.00, subject to rounding; for the Grand List year beginning
October 1, 2006, to the sum of $32,573.00, subject to rounding; for the
Grand List year beginning October 1, 2007, to the sum of $32,088.00,
subject to rounding; and for the Grand List year beginning October 1, 2008,
to the sum of $28,720.00, subject to rounding; further that neither party will
be entitled to fees or costs of any kind; further that if the plaintiff is entitled
to a refund of taxes paid, the refund will be deducted from the next
installment of taxes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Falvey Linen Supply Inc. v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to accept the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel’s office
to settle the pending claim of Falvey Linen Supply Inc. v. Town of East
Hartford and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the fair market
value of the personal property located in and throughout the Town of East
Hartford, owned by Falvey Linen Supply, Inc., beginning with the Grand
List of October 1, 2009, to the sum of $30,000.00, subject to rounding;
further that neither party will be entitled to fees or costs of any kind; further
that if the plaintiff is entitled to a refund of taxes paid, the refund will be
deducted from the next installment of taxes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Leinad, Inc. v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to accept Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
federal court action known as Leinad, Inc. v. Town of East Hartford, Case
No. 3:08CV01959(JBA), as more fully set forth in the Consent Order as
filed with the Court and as approved by U. S. District Court Judge Janet
Bond Arterton.
Motion carried 8/0.
Note: copy of the Consent Order follows these minutes.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, inquired on the ability of WasteZero to do business in the state of Connecticut.
Mayor Currey stated that the proposed solid waste program, known as Pay-As-You-Throw which would have involved the purchase of trash bags through WasteZero, is emphatically not being implemented.
Marc Weinberg offered Happy Birthday wishes to Councillors Leclerc, Thompson and Russo; Corporation Counsel Scott Chadwick, and Inspections & Permits Director Bonnie Nichols.
Bill Horan (1) commented on the congeniality of the staff and the wonderful conditions at the newly constructed Hampton Inn, which hosted a local Girl Scout Troop event last weekend; and (2) announced that the large patch on Oak Street, which Mr. Pitkin brought to the administration’s attention, was repaired last week by the MDC.
Linda Russo stated that she had participated in the “Read Across America” day at the Anna Norris School on March 30th and shared with the Council the picture that was taken of her reading to Ms. Garneau’s 2nd grade class. She thanked the principal and the teachers for their dedication and service to the education of the town’s children.
Barbara Rossi (1) announced that Fred Carofano, a mathematics teacher at East Hartford High School, has been named “All American Teacher of the Year” by the National Math and Science Initiative; (2) reported that Mark Scheinberg and Goodwin College have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame; (3) stated that under the leadership of Nathan Quesnel, Principal of the East Hartford Middle School, that school has received an award for being a model of academic climate – one of only fourteen schools honored by the Connecticut Association of Schools; (4) congratulated Emil Kopcha, current Fine and Performing Arts Director, for being named principal of the new East Hartford Theme School, opening this Fall; (5) said lemonadeday.org, working along with ChildPlan, is going to be held on June 6th ; (6) reported
that she recently attended the Arbor Day Celebration at Langford School with Principal Fox and had a wonderful time and, the same day, attended the student art show held at the East Hartford Community Cultural Center which featured art by students in grades K through 12; (7) shared with the Council that Sue Tukey was just recognized in the local iTowns section of the Hartford Courant for being a long time Multiple Sclerosis volunteer; and (8) extended Happy Birthday wishes to Bernie Kehoe.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:38 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on May 18, 2010.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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