EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
NOVEMBER 16, 2010
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe (arrived 8:25 p.m.), 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
Due to the absence of Chair Kehoe, Vice Chair Horan chaired the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Horan called the meeting to order at 7:38 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 Barbara Rossi
to amend the November 16, 2010 Town Council agenda as follows:
add, under New Business, Item 8.E. Setting a Public Hearing: Stormwater
Ordinance.
Motion carried 8/0.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Proclamation: East Hartford High School Marching Band
The following proclamation was read into the minutes by Councillor Susan Skowronek:
WHEREAS, the East Hartford High School Marching Band competed in the Rocky Hill Royal Blues Marching Band competition on September 25, 2010; and
WHEREAS, they have been to this competition many times over the years; and
WHEREAS, this year the band won the First Place Trophy and three awards for Best Music, Best Visual and Best Overall Effect; and
WHEREAS, the Marching Band went to this competition under the leadership of their dedicated Directors, Candace Gustamacchio and Julie Spagnesi.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melody A. Currey, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, join with members of the Town Council to offer sincere congratulations to the
East Hartford High School Marching Band
on this memorable occasion, along with our best wishes for continued success in the future.
Councillor Skowronek gave a brief summary of the background of the East Hartford High School Marching Band. Councillors joined her in congratulating the band members for their dedication and commitment to East Hartford High School.
Councillor Skowronek presented the proclamation to Ms. Rachel Rivard, senior drum major, who accepted the award on behalf of the entire band. Ms. Rivard thanked the Mayor and Town Council, the parents of the band members, the East Hartford Board of Education, and the band’s directors – Ms. Spagnesi and Ms. Gustamacchio.
Mayor Currey congratulated the band for this achievement and stated that she has a personal connection to this recognition since she is the mother to two former band members.
Awards for Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival
Roger Moss, Director of Parks and Recreation, displayed the two awards that the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival received. The first award he spoke about and gave a history of was the 2010 Event of the Year, given by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Mr. Moss distributed emails received after the announcement was made that the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival had won the IBMA Event of the Year award.
The second award, the Dorothy Mullins Arts and Humanity Award, was presented to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Councillors congratulated Mr. Moss for his efforts in making the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival a nationally recognized event.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Currey stated that leaf pickup continues and the Tuesday route is done and that there will probably be only one round of collection this year.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 3, 2010 Executive Session/Albuquerque – R.R.H.T.
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2010 Executive Session/
Albuquerque – R.R.H.T.
Motion carried 8/0.
November 3, 2010 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2010 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Answers to Councillors’ Questions from the November 3, 2010 Town Council Meeting
Vice Chair Horan stated that the Council had posed four questions to the Administration at the last meeting and that the Council had received answers to all four.
Update: Holiday Fest 2010
Pat Sirois, Chair of the Beautification Commission, sold Holiday Fest buttons to the Council. Ms. Sirois stated that Holiday Fest starts Friday, December 3rd through Monday, December 6th. It is the eighteenth year of the Fest and Ms. Sirois thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for making each year better than the last.
NEW BUSINESS
Lawn Equipment Exchange Fund (LEEF) Grant
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED that Mayor Melody A. Currey is authorized to make application to, and execute, and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all contracts or amendments thereof with the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in relation to the Lawn Equipment Exchange Fund grant program on
behalf of the Town of East Hartford for the replacement of certain high emission lawn and grounds maintenance equipment.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
2011 Town Council Meeting Dates
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the 2011 Town Council meeting dates as follows:
January 4 July 12
January 18 August 2
February 1 August 16
February 15 September 6
March 1 September 20
March 15 October 4
April 5 October 18
April 20 (Wednesday due to Passover) November 1
May 3 November 14 – Organizational
May 17 November 22
June 7 December 13
June 21
Motion carried 8/0.
During discussion of the following motion, Chair Kehoe joined the Council. Vice Chair Horan continued to chair the meeting.
2011-2012 Budget Workshop Schedule
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the Town Council’s 2011-2012 Budget Workshop
Schedule as follows:
2011-2012 Budget Workshop Schedule
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Mayor’s Summary of Budget 6:30 p.m.
Fire Department
Administration Chief Oates 6:45 p.m.
Suppression
Fire Marshal
Apparatus Maintenance
Alarm Maintenance
Emergency Medical Service
Emergency Management
Fire Capital Improvements
Public Safety Complex
Public Safety Communications
Police Department
Police Administration Chief Sirois
Operations
Criminal Investigation
Police Capital Improvements
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Board of Education
Superintendent of Schools Mark Zito 6:30 p.m.
Inspections and Permits
Administration Bonnie Nichols 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Summary of Pension Plan 8:30 a.m.
Town Treasurer Joseph Carlson
Town Council Rich Kehoe
Town Clerk Sharon Miller
Registrars of Voters Mary Mourey & Peg Byrnes
Selectmen
Probate Court Allan Driscoll
Finance
Administration Mike Walsh
Accounts and Control
Information Technology
Purchasing
Assessor
Revenue and Collections
Employee Benefits
Risk Management
Debt Services
Contingency
Capital Improvements
Revenues
Five Year Capital Improvement Plan
Summary
Project Narratives
Finance
Public Works
Parks and Recreation
Fire Department
Police Department
Public Library
Other Departments
Boards and Commissions
Beautification Commission Patriotic Commission Inland/ Wetlands/Environment Commission
Board of Assessment Appeals Human Rights Commission Commission on Aging
Personnel Board of Appeals Emergency Medical Commission Historic District Commission
Library Commission Zoning Board of Appeals Fine Arts Commission
Public Building Commission Retirement Board Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities Board of Ethics
The Hockanum River Commission
Lunch Break 12:30 p.m.
Executive
Office of the Mayor Melody Currey
Channel 5 Irene Cone
Corporation Counsel Scott Chadwick
Human Resources Ron Savitski
Public Library Pat Jones
Youth Services Cephus Nolen
Development
Administration John Choquette
Redevelopment Agency
Economic Development Commission
Planning & Zoning Commission
Monday, February 28, 2011
Grants Administration Mary Martin 6:30 p.m.
Public Works
Administration Billy Taylor
Engineering
Highway Services
Waste Services
Fleet Services
Building Maintenance
Metropolitan District Commission
Public Works Capital Improvements
Public Safety Complex Maintenance
Parks and Recreation
Administration Roger Moss
Maintenance
Other Facilities
Park Special Program
Parks & Recreation Capital Improvements
Health and Social Services
Administration Jim Cordier
Community Health & Nursing Services
Environmental Control
Social Services
Services for the Elderly
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Regular Meeting 7:30PM
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Public Hearing - Budget 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Special Meeting - Budget 7:00 p.m.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Pat Harmon
to amend the 2011-2012 Budget Workshop Schedule as follows:
- Change the Tuesday, March 8th Special Meeting – Budget date to
Wednesday, March 9th
- Add another Public Hearing – Budget on Tuesday, March 8th
Motion defeated 3/6. Yeas: Thompson, Skowronek, Harmon
On call of the vote of the original motion, motion carried 6/3. Nays: Thompson, Skowronek, Harmon
LoCIP Grant: Firehouse #6 Roof
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
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 as may be required by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management concerning a $10,000 Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) grant to provide funding for the Firehouse #6 Roof project.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Setting a Public Hearing Date: Stormwater Ordinance
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to set a public hearing date of Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at
7:15PM in Town Council Chambers to hear public comment on
revisions to the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances by
adding a new section 17-8a, repealing section 17-6 through section
17-8 and substituting new sections 17-6 through 17-8 consistent
with the November 16, 2010 draft of the Stormwater Ordinance.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Eric Thompson (1) inquired on the staffing levels at the East Hartford Police Department and further inquired on any officers in the police academy coming up in the ranks; and (2) commented on the blight situation on the corner of Burnside Avenue and Beaumont Street due to the clothing bins that are located there.
Pat Harmon (1) asked for clarification on how many rounds of leaf collection the town will make; (2) inquired on the cost to the town for dumping leaves in Manchester; and (3) commented on the early installation of Christmas lights along Main Street. The Mayor commented that the “Noel” sign normally hung across Main Street will not be going up.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Alex Ortiz vs. Eric Barboza
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel
to fully and finally settle the state court action entitled
Alex Ortiz vs. Eric Barboza for a total sum of $29,000.00.
Motion carried 9/0.
R.R.H.T. Trust Holdings, LLC vs. Town of East Hartford
No action taken
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Mayor Currey wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councillor Skowronek stated that the East Hartford High School Thanksgiving Day football game vs. Manchester, to be played on Friday, November 19th has been nominated for the NBC football game of the week by NBC. The school with the most votes will be the winner and NBC will report on the game and televise it as well. The votes will be taken on the following link: http://bit.ly/asRzd9. Councillor Skowronek urged all to support their community by supporting this important game.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adjourn (8:52 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
Vice Chair Horan wished all a Happy Thanksgiving and announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on December 14, 2010.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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