EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Barbara-Ann Rossi, Linda A. Russo, Susan P. Skowronek and Patricia Harmon
ABSENT Majority Leader Marcia A. Leclerc
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:33 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.
The Chair recognized the attendance of two Boy Scouts in the audience this evening, both earning their Merit Badges: Jonathan Osman, from Troop #57 and Luke Lagasse from Troop #1.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
East Hartford Police Department: K-9 Division
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, the East Hartford Police K-9 Unit was formed in 1990 and consists of three German Shepherd Patrol K-9’s: Axel and Officer John Zavalick, Odin and Officer Stephen Grossi, Primo and Officer Todd Mona and one Labrador Retriever Explosive Detection K-9: Charlie and Officer David Rhoades; and
Whereas, last year, the K-9 unit investigated 1,653 incidents, leading to over 115 arrests and attended numerous community events and demonstrations before civic organizations; and
Whereas, annually members of the K-9 unit participate in the Connecticut K-9 Olympics, often garnering many top honors; and
Whereas, at the recently held 17th Connecticut K-9 Olympics, Primo and Officer Todd Mona finished 2nd overall and for the second time won the Dan Wasson Memorial K-9 Award for commitment to excellence and dedication to duty.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the East Hartford Town Council extends its sincere appreciation to each member – canine and human – of the East Hartford Police K-9 Unit for their significant contribution to our community and its congratulations to Primo and Officer Mona on their achievements at the 17th Connecticut K-9 Olympics
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Both the Mayor and the Town Council thanked the K-9 Officers and their partners for the excellent job they do in keeping the citizens of the Town of East Hartford safe.
Hershey Track and Field: Coltrane Joseph
The Chair read the following proclamation:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Coltrane Joseph, age ten, a life long resident of East Hartford, recently won one of the divisions in the 2010 Hershey Track and Field Connecticut State Championship meet; and
WHEREAS, the Hershey Track and Field event was created over thirty years ago to promote youth physical fitness and a fun learning experience for children ages nine to fourteen; and
WHEREAS, he represented our town, through the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department/Board of Education in the 400m race as a runner in the age nine and ten boys division; and
WHEREAS, Coltrane had one of the top times in the meet sponsored by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association qualifying him to compete in the Hershey’s State meet; and
WHEREAS, he entered this State Championship event, capturing first place in the 400m race, bringing back to our town this prestigious win.
NOW, THEREFORE, I Melody A. Currey, Mayor, join with members of the East Hartford Town Council to offer their sincerest congratulations to
COLTRANE JOSEPH
and on behalf of the citizenry of the Town, we applaud you upon this remarkable achievement.
The Mayor presented the proclamation to the young Mr. Joseph and, together with the Town Council, congratulated him on this achievement.
Hershey Track and Field: Aarmari Quinonez
The Chair read the following proclamation:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Aarmari Quinonez, a resident of East Hartford, recently tied for first place in one of the divisions in the 2010 Hershey Track and Field Connecticut State Championship meet; and
WHEREAS, the Hershey Track and Field event was created over thirty years ago to promote youth physical fitness and a fun learning experience for children ages nine to fourteen; and
WHEREAS, he represented our town, through the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department/Board of Education in the boys eleven-twelve year old standing long jump; and
WHEREAS, Aarmari jumped a distance of seven feet, eight inches, which tied with another long jump competitor in this division; and
WHEREAS, he captured this tie in the State Championship event, bringing back to our town this prestigious win.
NOW, THEREFORE, I Melody A. Currey, Mayor, join with members of the East Hartford Town Council to offer their sincerest congratulations to
AARMARI QUINONEZ
and on behalf of the citizenry of the Town, we applaud you upon this remarkable achievement.
The Mayor presented the proclamation to the young Mr. Quinonez and, together with the Town Council, congratulated him on this achievement.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Currey (1) reported that she had just been notified of an automobile accident on Central Avenue that was unrelated to the recent speeding issues in that neighborhood; (2) wanted to clarify any confusion on the construction of the new firehouse on Brewer Street by stating that it is a Project Labor Agreement job, which provides for the hiring of minorities and East Hartford residents; (3) was pleased to announce that Cabela’s will have a ribbon-cutting for the new Yankee Candle shop opening in October; and (4) reminded those residents who commented on not having a department store in East Hartford that Cabela’s sells clothing, shoes and other goods, and also has a restaurant within its building.
Chair Kehoe briefly explained that the Project Labor Agreement, which the town voluntarily entered into with the construction manager of the new firehouse, insures that the workers hired for this project are being paid a fair wage and that there are provisions in the agreement to hire town residents.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 7, 2010 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the September 7, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Questions/Answers of the Administration at the September 7, 2010 Town Council Meeting
The Chair stated that the Mayor had summarized the answers to the questions that were posed at the last Council meeting. To the request for a delinquent taxes list, the Mayor has provided the Council with an updated list of delinquencies.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendations from Tax Policy Committee:
Mobile Home – RFP
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to permit the Administration to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)
for a tax lien sale for delinquent mobile homes as referenced in a September 14, 2010 delinquency report.
Motion carried 8/0.
Personal Property Taxes – 71 George Street
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve a tax abatement on personal property located on 71 George Street, owned by Office Furniture Rental Alliance LLC (OFRA), in the amount of $24,371.45, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-64a, subsection (c).
Motion carried 8/0.
Note: Chair Kehoe asked if the assessment on the building itself has been reduced, as required by section 12-64a of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Outdoor Amusement Permit Application: Holiday Fest 2010
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application of Holiday Fest ’10,
as submitted by Patricia Sirois, Chair of the East Hartford Beautification
Commission, to conduct the Annual Holiday Fest from December 3rd
through December 6th with activities as follows:
- Tree-lighting ceremony wit music and singing to be held on the lawn of the Town Green on Friday, December 3rd, between the hours of 6:30PM and 7:30PM
- Miscellaneous activities including a petting zoo, horse & buggy rides and a snowman building contest to be held on the Town Green on Sunday, December 5th, between the hours of 12:00PM and 3:00PM
- Tree of Lights ceremony with music to be held on the lawn of the Raymond Library on Monday, December 6th, between the hours of 6:00PM and 6:30PM
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 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Susan Skowronek (1) stated that it is extremely difficult to reach the Director of Transportation for First Student Bus Company; (2) asked what could be done about the congestion of school buses and vans in the Woodland School area early in the morning; and (3) has serious concerns about the safe discharge of students in front of East Hartford High School, as well as those students who do not cross Forbes Street at marked crosswalks.
Eric Thompson stated that the traffic congestion near Rentschler Field at the end of the recent UFL Hartford Colonials game was considerable.
Pat Harmon (1) stated that, in regard to the discharge of students at East Hartford High School, there was an SRO officer and a security guard to help with the flow of traffic at the beginning of the school year and asked to have them back; (2) inquired on when the road construction at the corner of Maple/Main/Broad Streets will be completed; and (3) was told that the sensor on the traffic light at the corner of Maple/Main Streets may not be working properly.
Bill Horan said that he also had a school bus issue and tried calling First Student with no response. However, after he emailed his complaint, the response was next to immediate.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Joe Albuquerque vs. Town of East Hartford – Workers’ Compensation Claim
No action taken
Alex Ortiz vs. Eric Barboza
No action taken
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Mayor Currey stated East Hartford has been experiencing probably more road construction than any other community in the state – the majority of which has been funded by state and federal dollars. The Mayor invited the Council to the ribbon cutting for the newly reconstructed Governor Street on October 5th.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:25 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on October 5, 2010.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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