EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JULY 13, 2010
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc, Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Barbara-Ann Rossi, Linda A. Russo, Susan P. Skowronek and Patricia Harmon
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:37 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 New Business, item 8.J., entitled
Referral to Tax Policy Committee re: 600 Connecticut Boulevard.
Motion carried 9/0.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Beautification Award: June 2010: Residential: Dahms Family, 77 Hills Street
Pat Sirois, Chair of the Beautification Commission, presented the June 2010 award for outstanding residential landscaping, to the Dahms Family. Ms. Sirois thanked the homeowners for making East Hartford a more beautiful place to live.
Chair Kehoe thanked the Beautification Commission for the work that they do.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, stated that she is not in favor of anything on the following agenda items: (1) the proposed road bond for $10,000,000; (2) the amendment to the town’s plan of conservation and development re: 403 Forbes Street; and (3) the sale of Willowbrook School. Ms. Kniep also commented on a possible conflict of interest by the Development Director regarding the sale of Willowbrook School.
Gerald Maine, 42 Phillips Farm Road, president of the Phillips Farm Condominium Association, is in favor of the amendment to the town’s plan of conservation and development regarding a zone change for 403 Forbes Street.
Ann Killian, 66 Briarwood Road, and Alvin Carter, 975 Silver Lane, are both in favor of the proposed development on Silver Lane.
Catherine Kupidura, 350 Forbes Street, is in favor of the road work at the corner of Silver Lane and Forbes Street, but is not in favor of the revision to the town’s plan of conservation and development which would result in an additional exit/entrance onto Forbes Street.
Mayor Currey announced that single stream recycling has begun and pick-up will be every other week. Also, Mayor Currey addressed an issue brought up by a citizen earlier regarding the Development Director’s campaign, stating that “…when someone chooses to run for office, under the laws of the State of Connecticut, they have a right to do so.” The Mayor went on to say that all Directors are required to file complete financial disclosures with the Town Clerk on a yearly basis.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 15, 2010 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the June 15, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Responses to Councillors’ Questions to the Administration from the June 15, 2010 Town
Council Meeting
Chair Kehoe briefly summarized the Mayor’s responses to the Councillors’ questions at the June 15, 2010 Town Council Meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Compensation for Selectmen – postponed from the May 18, 2010 and June 15, 2010 Town Council Meetings: Contingency Transfer
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to approve the following budgetary transfer of funds to provide
a source of funds to pay the selectmen in fiscal year 2010-2011:
From Acct G9600-63492, Contingency Reserve $2,040
To Acct G1400-60122, Selectmen $2,040
Motion carried 9/0.
Recommendation from Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: 627 Burnside Avenue: Drainage Outfall Reconstruction Easement Acquisition – postponed form the June 15, 2010 Town Council Meeting
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that the East Hartford Town Council, acting as a Committee of the Whole,
agree to acquire for the sum of $2,500.00 a temporary and permanent
easement pursuant to Easement and Drainage Rights Agreements to be
entered into between Nathan E. Primus, as Grantor, and the Town of East
Hartford, as Grantee, which easement and drainage rights will run on,
across and under a portion of the property owned by Nathan E. Primus and
known as 627 Burnside Avenue, which easement and drainage rights are
more particularly shown on a map attached hereto and further described in
a memo dated July 13, 2010 from Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich
Gentile to Town Council Chair Rich Kehoe; and further agree to waive the
requirements of a Phase One environmental assessment and a title search
on the property.
Motion carried 9/0.
NEW BUSINESS
2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Pat Harmon
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Fiscal Year 2010-2011, has federal funds set aside for the Town of East Hartford in the amount of $ 44,319.00 under the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG;) and
WHEREAS, these funds may be used to purchase law enforcement equipment in support of the activities of the East Hartford Police Department, with no required cash match by the Town of East Hartford; and
WHEREAS, the East Hartford Police Department desires to use these funds for this purpose and purchase:
- Laser crime and accident scene mapping hardware and software;
- Rescue Phone camera component;
- Forensic light source and fingerprint fuming tank for crime lab; and
- Speed enforcement detection equipment.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: That Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to, and execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the U.S. Department of Justice as they may pertain to this JAG grant.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Contingency Transfer: Democratic and Republic Primaries
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the following transfer of funds to cover
the costs associated with the Democratic and Republican
primaries to be held on August 10, 2010:
From Acct G9600-63492, Contingency Reserve $30,478
To Acct G1300-60135, Registrar of Voters – Election Officials $21,925
To Acct G1300-62360, Registrar of Voters – Election Day Expenses. $ 4,500
To Acct G1300-63227, Registrar of Voters – Inspect/Voting Machines $ 1,500
To Acct G1300-65212, Registrar of Voters – Telephone $ 1,800
To Acct G1200-62360, Town Clerk – Election Day Expenses $ 188
To Acct G1200-63214, Town Clerk – Advertising $ 565
Total $30,478
Motion carried 9/0.
East Hartford Police Officers’ Association Contract Settlement:
Contingency Transfer
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the following transfer of funds to cover the settlement
costs of the East Hartford Police Officers’ Association contract:
From Acct G9600-60201, Contingency – Reserve for Contract Negotiations $459,944
To Acct G5204-60110, Permanent Services – Police Operations $459,944
Motion carried 9/0.
Supplemental Budget Appropriation
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION CONCERNING A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND FUND BALANCE TRANSFER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2011 TO FUND THE CONTRACT ARBITRATION AWARD FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford and the East Hartford Police Union were recently notified of an arbitration award for the collective bargaining agreement between the two parties, and
WHEREAS, with respect to the wage portion of the award, the Town must budget for a general wage increase of 3.25% in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and
WHEREAS, the Town set aside 2% in the operating budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011 and needs to draw the remaining 1.25% to settle this contract from Fund Balance.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Hartford Town Council does hereby approve this Supplemental Budget Appropriation of funds in the amount of $150,000 from the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance and to reflect the addition of the attached Supplemental Revenue Appropriation and Expenditure Appropriation.
G0320-55900 Fund Balance Appropriation 150,000
G5204-60110 Police Operations – Permanent Services 150,000
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Setting a Public Hearing Date of Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 7:00PM re: $10,000,000 Bonding for the Planning, Design, Construction & Reconstruction of Town Roads
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to set a public hearing date of August 3, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in Town
Council Chambers for the purpose of hearing public comment on the
proposed $10,000,000 bond for the Planning, Design, Construction and
Reconstruction of Town Roads and Authorizing the Issuance of
$10,000,000 Bonds of the Town to Meet Said Appropriation and Pending
the Issuance Thereof the Making of Temporary Borrowings for Such
Purpose.
Motion carried 9/0.
At this point, the Chair recognized Christopher Gallagher, from Boy Scout Troop 57, who was present at this meeting to earn his merit badge.
Setting a Public Hearing Date of Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 6:45PM re: Sale of Willowbrook School, 95 Willowbrook Drive
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that pursuant to Connecticut Public Act 07-251, the East Hartford
Town Council set a public hearing date for Tuesday, August 3, 2010
at 6:45 P.M. in Town Council Chambers to hear public comment on
the sale of Willowbrook School located at 95 Willowbrook Drive.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Thompson
Amendment to the Plan of Conservation and Development re: 403 Forbes Street (corner of Silver Lane)
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the amendment to the town’s Plan of Conservation and
Development for the property known as 403 Forbes Street by changing
the zoning from Residential to Commercial as outlined in a memo from
Jeanne Webb, Development Director, to Melody A. Currey, Mayor, dated
July 2, 2010.
There was a presentation by Robin Pearson, Attorney for Kaoud Real Estate Developers,
who are the applicants for the zone change. Attorney Pearson explained the reason for the zone change on 403 Forbes Street as it relates to the development of 972 Silver Lane. The Council was presented with a significant amount of detailed documentation, which resulted in a decision to postpone action.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to postpone action until the August 3, 2010 Town Council meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
For the following motion, the Chair recognized Councillor Marc Weinberg, who yielded the floor to Minority Leader Eric Thompson.
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: Concert of Praise
Approval of Application
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application, entitled Concert
of Praise, submitted by Shakera Brown for the Pentecostals of East
Hartford, to hold a free outdoor music conference for town residents to be
held at the Town Green on Main Street, on Saturday, September 18, 2010
from 12PM to 6PM, with music from 2PM to 4PM, 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.
Waiver of Permit Fee
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to waive the associated permit fee for the Concert of Praise,
pursuant to Section 5-6 of the town ordinances.
Motion carried 9/0.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
MOTION By Pat Harmon
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the following appointments:
- Victoria Brinius, to the Commission on Services for Persons with
Disabilities, term shall expire December 2011
- Antonio Matta, to the Redevelopment Agency,
term to expire December 2012.
Motion carried 9/0.
Referral to Ordinance Committee re: Membership in The Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Ordinance Committee the possibility of passing an
ordinance to become a member of The Central Connecticut Solid Waste
Authority, with instructions to investigate the issue and report back to the
Town Council with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
Referral to Tax Policy Committee re: 600 Connecticut Boulevard
MOTION By Susan Skowronek
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to refer to the Tax Policy Committee the issue of
a Business Incentive for renovations to the Hoffman
Enterprises facility located at 600 Connecticut Boulevard,
with instructions to review the issue and report back to
the Town Council with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Mayor Currey reminded all to recycle.
Linda Russo thanked the East Hartford Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Parks and Recreation Department, for the services they provided at this year’s Riverfest activities.
Marc Weinberg wished a Happy Birthday to Congressman John Larson, Eileen Powers, Susan Skowronek and Angela Attenello.
Rich Kehoe read from a recent report, generated from the Office of the Child Advocate and the Office of the Attorney General, which reviewed the way schools handle sexual abuse complaints against teachers. In that report, the East Hartford School District was commended for “…conducting a meaningful, immediate and independent investigation and pursued disciplinary action in response to allegations…”.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:55 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on August 3, 2010.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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