FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
837 MAIN STREET, LOWER LEVEL
EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
OCTOBER 19, 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
Prior to the commencement of this meeting, members of Boy Scout Troop 1 carried the
Troop 1 flag, the Town of East Hartford flag, the State of Connecticut flag, and the
American flag, to the front of the room and placed them in a prominent position for
viewing. This is known as the “Presentation of Colors”. They then led the Council in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. He announced the exit locations in
accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 29-381.
The Chair explained that for the Council, it is extremely unusual to meet off site. He went on to
explain tonight the town is recognizing the 175th anniversary of the Meeting House, as the main
structure of the Church was called, and that this was where town meetings were normally held,
both before and after East Hartford was incorporated. The Council, as a whole, felt strongly that
there should be an official Town Council meeting to commemorate the longstanding relationship
between the First Congregational Church and town government.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Recognition of First Congregational Church/Meeting House
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc (delivered standing)
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION HONORING FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Whereas, the town of East Hartford was incorporated in 1783; and
Whereas, in 1699, the General Court, now known as the General Assembly, of Connecticut granted approval for a church organization east of the Connecticut River, now known as East Hartford; and
Whereas, the existing First Congregational Church building is the third church structure, having been constructed and dedicated for use in 1836; and
Whereas, for the first hundred years of the town of East Hartford’s existence, the town held its governmental meetings in the basement of the First Congregational Church, reflecting the close ties between the church and the operations of town government; and
Whereas, in 1886, the town of East Hartford built a separate town hall for government operations; and
Whereas, the First Congregational Church has continued to grow and thrive – along with the town of East Hartford;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved:
That the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford hereby recognizes the long and close relationship between the community of East Hartford and the First Congregational Church and takes note that the ever-growing religious and ethnic diversity of our town serves to strengthen the common bonds and goals of our town and its churches; and extends its appreciation – on behalf of the current Town Council and all previous Town Councils and Boards – to the First Congregational Church for its unique contribution to the community of our town.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Before the presentation of this resolution, each Councillor commented on the historic nature of
this meeting and congratulated First Congregational Church for 175 years of prominence in the
Town of East Hartford.
Minority Leader Eric Thompson reminded all that Donald H. Pitkin, former Town Councillor who
passed away earlier this year, was a longtime member of First Congregational Church. He would
have loved to have been here this evening.
Mayor Currey joined with the Council on congratulating the Church for the 175th anniversary of
the Meeting House, but also took the opportunity to remind residents that the Church will need
to repair the clock tower and the roof and that donations to this worthy cause would be greatly appreciated.
The resolution was then presented to Reverend Dr. Theodore Mosebach, Pastor, First Congregational Church,
who accepted it on behalf of the congregants of the Church, both past and present. Reverend Mosebach
thanked the Council and the Mayor for the recognition of the Church’s presence in East Hartford – 175 years
for the actual building, but over 300 years as a ministry to all people in this community. He also echoed t
he sentiments of Councillor Thompson on the absence of Don Pitkin, whom he characterized as “one of the
lights of our faith family here at First Church”. Rev. Mosebach noted that several other members of the
Church were involved in town government, among them “Ned” Atwood, who served as Mayor of East Hartford
from 1967 to 1969. He thanked the Council and the Mayor for all that they do to make East Hartford a wonderful place to live.
Proclamation of Honor: Boy Scout Troop 1
Chair Kehoe read the following proclamation:
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America, Troop I of our town, is celebrating their 100th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Troop I is the oldest continuously sponsored Boy Scout Troop in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Troop I was sponsored by the First Congregational Church when Boy Scouting first came to the United States in 1910; and
WHEREAS, past and present members gathered in the Scout Room of the church to celebrate the characteristics of the tenets of the Boy Scouts of America: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, join with members of the Town Council to congratulate the
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, TROOP I
100th ANNIVERSARY
on this memorable occasion and celebrate the success of this valuable organization.
The Mayor presented this proclamation to the leaders of Boy Scout Troop 1: Timothy Lynch, Scout Master;
John Kowzun, Assistant Scout Master; Joseph Murdzek, Committee Chair; Michael Lynch and
“Sonny” Kranman, Committee Members. She reminded the Troop leaders and the members of
Troop 1 how fortunate they are to be part of this historic occasion – marking the 100th anniversary of
the oldest boy scout troop in America continuously sponsored by the same organization, which is First Congregational Church.
All Councillors had the opportunity to congratulate the Boy Scouts for this milestone event and
recognized that Troop 1 exemplifies the best in community, character development and the traditions
established one hundred years ago.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Currey (1) stated that leaf collection will start November 8th and in the south end
of town; and (2) reminded all that elections are November 2nd and the bond for the continuation
of the road reconstruction program will be on the ballot. The Mayor urged all to come out and vote.
Chair Kehoe displayed a sample ballot for the November 2nd elections and explained
why it is a two-sided ballot this year. The Chair also asked those in the community to
exercise their right to vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 5, 2010 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Slide Show Presentation by Timothy Lynch, Scout Master, Troop 1
The Scout Master for Troop 1, Tim Lynch, had a brief history of Troop 1 for the Council
and the viewing audience. It clearly defined the relationship between Troop 1, originally
established by Rev. William Prentiss on October 14, 1910, and the First Congregational
Church. Since 1917, Troop 1 has produced 71 Eagle Scouts. Over the years, many of
the Eagle Scout projects have revolved around minor repairs and enhancements for the
Church.
Answers to Councillors’ Questions from the October 5, 2010 Town Council Meeting
Chair Kehoe summarized the answers received from the Mayor on questions that the
Councillors asked at the previous Town Council meeting.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Pat Harmon (1) said that the traffic at East Hartford High School is still an issue and asked
that the police return to monitor traffic; (2) stated that part of the problem with traffic at EHHS
is that children who attend Synergy School are being dropped off at the High School and walking
to Synergy – many of them crossing the road at unmarked crosswalks; (2) reported that a constituent
fell on Cambridge Drive, due to a raised sidewalk and asked if the town had a sidewalk inspection program.
Susan Skowronek said how pleased she was with the road repairs and repaving on Burnside Avenue.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Anthony Cherolis, 140 Madison Street, asked how property values compare to the tax mill rate,
especially in a declining economy.
Mayor Currey stated that along Silver Lane, in front of the Animal Hospital, sidewalk replacement
has been scheduled and will be funded by using Stimulus money and Community Block Grant funds.
She asked all to use caution in this area. Additional sidewalk repair is scheduled for parts of Main Street.
At this point in the agenda, the Chair called upon the Boy Scouts in Troop 1 to “retire the colors”;
the color guard was presented and demounted the Troop 1 flag, the Town of East Hartford flag,
the State of Connecticut flag and the American flag while Taps was played.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:35 p.m.) from this honorable event.
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on Wednesday, November 3rd in Council Chambers.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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