EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 15, 2011
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Susan P. Skowronek and Patricia Harmon
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. Several girl scouts from various troops in East Hartford were present
in celebration of Girl Scout week and led the Council in the pledge of allegiance. After the pledge of allegiance,
the scouts presented the Council with an assortment of Girl Scout cookies.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Girl Scouts of America
Chair Kehoe read the following proclamation into the minutes:
WHEREAS, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia and the week of March 6, 2011 was Girl Scout Week; and
WHEREAS, throughout its distinguished history, Girl Scouting has inspired millions of girls and women with the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character; and
WHEREAS, through the Girl Scout leadership experience, girls develop the skills and lessons that will serve them a lifetime so that they may contribute to their communities; and
WHEREAS, Girl Scouting takes an active role in increasing girls’ awareness of the opportunities available to them today in math, science, sports, technology and other fields that can expand their horizons; and
WHEREAS, more than three million current Girl Scout members nationwide will be celebrating ninety-nine years of this American tradition, with nearly fifty million women who are former Girl Scouts and living proof of the impact of this amazing movement.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, join with members of the Town Council to proudly celebrate the 99th anniversary of the
GIRL SCOUTS
and applaud the commitment Girl Scouting has made to support the leadership development of America’s girls.
Mayor Leclerc and the Council congratulated the scouts for being part this amazing organization. Additionally, the leaders of the various Girl Scout troops were recognized for their commitment to the girls.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) asked that the Town Council not approve the lease renewal of ChildPlan, Inc. at the East Hartford Community Cultural Center; (2) suggested that the Council authorize the administration to conduct an audit of the East Hartford Community Cultural Center; (3) announced for the record a few salaries earned by town employees and stated that she would like all town employee salaries posted to the town’s website; and (4) ask that there be a mandatory 3-year wage freeze imposed on all town employees.
Mayor Leclerc (1) stated that when she was the Chair of the Fees Committee, she and the Committee set up a standardized procedure that all non-profits, working for the benefit of the town, would adhere to when leasing space – ChildPlan, Inc. is one of these non-profits that plays a significant role in serving the town. Mayor Leclerc strongly supports the renewal of ChildPlan’s lease; (2) suggested that the salaries stated by Mrs. Kniep might be attributable to some Board of Education employees; (3) recognized Stan deMello’s service to the Veterans’ Affairs Commission and thanked him for his dedication to the town; (4) asked that the Council support the LoCIP grant for the Martin Park Pool renovations; and (5) invited the Council to join her at the Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser on Saturday,
prior to the Connecticut Whale Bowl.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 26, 2011/Budget Workshop
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2011 Budget Workshop.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Skowronek
February 28, 2011/Budget Workshop: Grants/Public Works/Parks & Recreation/ Health
& Social Services
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2011 Budget Workshop/Grants/
Public Works/Parks & Recreation/Health & Social Services.
Motion carried 9/0.
March 1, 2011 Executive Session/Budget Truck Rental
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2011 Executive Session/Budget
Truck Rental.
Motion carried 9/0.
March 1, 2011 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2011 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
March 2, 2011 Public Hearing/Budget
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2011 Public Hearing/Budget.
Motion carried 9/0.
March 8, 2011 Special Meeting/Budget
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2011 Special Meeting/Budget.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Resignation of Stanley deMello from the Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Chair Kehoe commended Mr. deMello for his commitment to the town and regrettably
accepts his resignation from the Veterans’ Affairs Commission.
Sale of Willowbrook School
Chair Kehoe summarized the background of the sale of the Willowbrook School building,
located off of Ensign Street. At the August 17, 2010 Town Council meeting, the Council
authorized the sale of the building to Goodwin College, with the stipulation that Goodwin
College lease back the building to the Board of Education to continue to administer
HeadStart and other early childhood programs. The Town Council received for its
information an executed copy of the lease. The Town Council required, as a condition to
authorizing the sale, such lease be provided to the Council at least thirty days prior to
closing of the sale.
NEW BUSINESS
LoCIP Grant: Martin Park Pool Renovation Project
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That Marcia A. Leclerc, 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 $59,000 Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) grant to provide funding for the Martin Park Pool Renovation project.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Recommendation from Fees Committee re: Lease Renewal for ChildPlan, Inc.
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the renewal of the lease for ChildPlan, Inc. for
672 SF of space located in the East Hartford Cultural Community
Center at the following rates:
- April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012 - $1.95/SF
- April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 - $2.10/SF
- April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 - $2.25/SF
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Kehoe
Recommendation from Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: Sale of 3 Saunders Street
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that the Town of East Hartford acquire the property known as 3 Saunders
Street for the sum of $150,000 subject to the execution of a Purchase and
Sale contract satisfactory to the Town’s Office of Corporation Counsel,
which contract contains an environmental contingency, a title contingency,
and the requirement that all tenants vacate the property prior to the
closing.
Motion carried 9/0
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to refund taxes in the amount of $11,621.24
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
|
|
|
|
2009-01-0000456 |
AMPADU AMA K |
40 HILLSIDE ST UNIT C-7 |
$ (41.24) |
2009-03-0051192 |
ANDREWS DOLORES |
1997/94CR27/1G2JB1242V7579905 |
$ (11.87) |
|
|
|
|
2009-01-0005230 |
BAC TAX SERVICES CORP |
21 SUNRISE LN |
$ (3,146.62) |
2009-04-0080509 |
BARNES LARRY G |
2003/379WUV/1J4GW48S83C565782 |
$ (6.15) |
2009-03-0052937 |
BENDER RICHARD A |
2005/BNDR1/JNKCV54E85M414840 |
$ (228.46) |
2009-03-0054599 |
BROWN-HARDY EBBONYE L |
2002/954XOA/1GNDT13SX22373105 |
$ (53.85) |
2009-03-0054884 |
BURNHAM DAVID J OR |
2005/791141/4X4TCKF215P094178 |
$ (178.91) |
|
DONNA M BURNHAM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009-04-0080979 |
P. A. BURNHAM REV. TRUST |
2002/516YEC/1LNHM97V42Y696343 |
$ (36.53) |
|
C/O PATRICIA A BURNHAM |
|
|
2009-01-0001980 |
P. A. BURNHAM REV. TRUST |
1901 MAIN ST |
$ (10.97) |
|
C/O PATRICIA A BURNHAM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0055156 |
CAB EAST LLC |
2008/418TZC/SAJWA82B68SH20945 |
$ (421.76) |
2009-01-0001356 |
CORELOGIC |
31 HIGH ST UNIT #3303 |
$ (1,323.38) |
|
|
|
|
2009-01-0003805 |
DESROCHER DEBRA |
42 WOODBRIDGE AVE |
$ (30.00) |
2009-03-0060092 |
DINARDI CHRISTINA L |
2000/8835/1N4DL01D1YC176422 |
$ (96.89) |
2009-03-0074212 |
DUFFY JEAN M |
2003/266JWE/1G4HP52K334137100 |
$ (14.34) |
2008-02-0040558 |
DUR-A-FLEX INC |
95 GOODWIN ST |
$ (100.00) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0062233 |
FIGUEROA JENNIFER |
1996/866UVH/4A3AJ46G4TE391638 |
$ (28.74) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0063377 |
GAGNON LOUISE J |
1998/188TUO/3C3EL45H3WT237410 |
$ (26.72) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0065648 |
HALEY JOSEPH P OR |
2000/EN6586/1HGCG6674YA090373 |
$ (171.13) |
|
HALEY MADELEINE L |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009-01-0007219 |
JENSEN JOAN B |
95 TIMBER TR |
$ (2,968.38) |
|
|
|
|
2002-01-0008132 |
LAM XIEY-GHET |
20 RISLEY ST |
$ (1,354.67) |
2007-03-0072034 |
LEWIS DARREL W |
1992/377URS/1MECM55UXNG624413 |
$ (6.94) |
2009-03-0071727 |
LOPEZ RAFAEL |
1998/766MON/2HGEJ6447WH121343 |
$ (60.34) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0072649 |
MARI FRANCISCO |
1994/690XGF/1GNEL19W3RB232840 |
$ (19.98) |
2008-03-0073640 |
MATUSIK EDWARD OR |
2007/442PHP/JHLRE48537C015328 |
$ (8.81) |
|
BOZENA |
|
|
2009-03-0073300 |
MATUSIK EDWARD OR |
2007/442PHP/JHLRE48537C015328 |
$ (245.03) |
|
BOZENA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0077077 |
OROZCO MARIA M |
2003/192WUN/KMHCG35C43U241310 |
$ (109.17) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0078034 |
PAWLUS FRANK J OR |
2000/NIP6/JHMCG6686YC035563 |
$ (171.13) |
|
PAWLUS GAIL M |
|
|
2009-03-0078035 |
PAWLUS FRANK J OR |
1998/925UTD/1HGCG6677WA062919 |
$ (144.41) |
|
PAWLUS GAIL M |
|
|
2009-03-0079202 |
PIKE JEFFREY W |
2006/32CF28/1GCEC19X06Z189868 |
$ (13.47) |
2009-03-0079210 |
PILIUS RICHARD J |
2007/PA9833/2T1BR32EX7C793316 |
$ (290.51) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0084341 |
SILVA LISA A |
2006/256WSA/WMWRC33566TK67056 |
$ (153.01) |
2009-03-0085370 |
STEINBERG JOAN F |
2009/580XOC/KMHDU46D39U805676 |
$ (6.73) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0087088 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2008/913WGE/2T2HK31UX8C073745 |
$ (65.44) |
2007-03-0088332 |
TRIGO JOANNE |
1989/330PNB/1FMEU15N9KLA01603 |
$ (10.10) |
2007-01-0014653 |
TRUDEAU JOSEPH R & JEAN C |
53 SCOTT ST |
$ (16.69) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0089872 |
WIRTH JOHN B |
2000/24211C/4TAPM62NXYZ670804 |
$ (48.87) |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$(11,621.24) |
Outdoor Amusement Permit Applications:
Intercommunity Health and Wellness Fair
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit submitted by Olivia
Henze-Goldberg of InterCommunity, Inc. to conduct a health and
wellness fair to celebrate Mental Health Awareness month at the
East Hartford Town Green, 50 Chapman Place, on Saturday, June
4, 2011 from 11AM to 3PM, with music from 12PM to 1PM, 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.
ING Hartford Marathon
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit submitted by Beth
Shluger of the Hartford Marathon Foundation to conduct a
marathon and a half-marathon with volunteers and several
thousand spectators and runners on Saturday, October 15, 2011
from 7:30AM to 12PM, with music between the hours of 9AM and
12PM, 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.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: Maple Street Culvert Replacement Easement Acquisitions
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the acquisition of
4 permanent drainage easements and five temporary construction easements,
known as the Maple Street Culvert Repair Project, with instructions to investigate
the matter 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
Eric Thompson inquired on the condition of the roofs on town buildings due to the past winter’s storms and
any additional costs that might have been incurred for removal of the snow and ice.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Roger Nolet – Workers Compensation
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel to fully
and finally settle the Workers Compensation claim of Roger Nolet
for the total sum of $7,500.00.
Motion carried 9/0.
R. R. H. T. Trust Holdings, LLC v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel’s office
to settle the tax appeal case entitled R. R. H. T. Trust Holdings, LLC v.
Town of East Hartford and to authorize the Town Assessor to reduce the
fair market value of the property located at 600-750 Connecticut
Boulevard, owned by Hoffman Enterprises, to the sum of
$10,300,000.00, subject to rounding, beginning with the Grand List of
October 1, 2009; 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 8/1. Nay: Harmon
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) spoke against the settlement of the tax appeal case of R. R. H. T. Trust Holdings (Hoffman Motors); (2) restated her objection to the renewal of ChildPlan’s lease and suggested the Council send the lease out to bid; and (3) again asked that salaries and pensions of town employees be posted to the town’s website.
Chair Kehoe clarified that the R.R. H. T. (Hoffman Motors) case was a settlement of an appeal of the property assessment.
Eric Thompson supported the settlement of the tax appeal case of R. R. H. T. (Hoffman Motors) because guidelines and procedures were followed.
Mayor Leclerc (1) also stated her support of the settlement of the tax appeal case of R. R. H. T. (Hoffman Motors); (2) explained that employees’ base salaries, overtime and benefits are line items in the recommended budget; and (3) said that much overtime is incurred due to a reduction in town staffing.
Ram Aberasturia stated that employees who participate in town-sponsored health and wellness programs may call in sick less, thereby reducing the amount of overtime needed.
Marc Weinberg asked for a point of personal privilege to wish all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and a Happy St. Joseph’s Day. He also recognized the birthdays of Pat Harmon and Rich Kehoe.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:50 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on April 5, 2011.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
| 
