Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
05-03-11 Regular Town Council Minutes
EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MAY 3, 2011

PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., (arrived 8:15 pm.), 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 7:43 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.


Chair Kehoe reminded the residents for the need to recycle and gave a couple of examples of recyclables, such as
fruit containers and paper towel inner tubes.


RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

Burnside Ice Company Centennial

The Chair announced that the following resolution will be presented to the Burnside Ice Company on Saturday, May 7th
when they hold their centennial celebration at Rentschler Field.

MOTION  By Susan Skowronek
                seconded by Marc Weinberg
                to adopt the following resolution:

Whereas, Albert McClellan founded the Burnside Ice Company in 1911 on land that is now the East Hartford Golf Course; and

Whereas, the location of this ice company – founded by a Scotsman -- was very appropriate since the water in the area is extremely pure and the word “Burn” in Scottish means brook or stream; and

Whereas, the Burnside Ice Company moved to its current location in 1933 and has since that time diversified into several additional commercial lines including coal, oil, and Ten Penny Ale through Olde Burnside Brewing Company, while maintaining its cold core business; and

Whereas, the McClellans still own the business, maintaining a clear commitment to the community of East Hartford that was recognized in 2002 as the Connecticut Family Business of the Year.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the East Hartford Town Council extends its congratulations to the McClellans and the employees of the Burnside Ice Company on its 100th anniversary; appreciates all of the contributions the McClellans have made to our town over the years and urges every town resident to stay cool during the summer with lots of ice – and beverages – from our long-time, home-grown business.

SLÀINTE MHATH!!
(Good Health!!)

The Councillors congratulated Burnside Ice Company for their longevity in the community.  Councillor Susan Skowronek recited a Scottish Gaelic poem usually read by tavern patrons in Scotland.

Councillor Linda Russo asked for a point of personal privilege to recognize the following East Hartford Middle School students who were among the winners of the 18th Annual Law Day Essay Contest sponsored by the State Attorney General’s office: Shawn Murdzek, who placed 5th, and Jahmique Caines, who received honorable mention.


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS

Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) requested that the April 20, 2011 Town Council minutes be revised to expand on her comments regarding the East Hartford Housing Authority, specifically if the Authority’s financial difficulties were reported to the State Attorney General; and (2) asked what procedures and processes are in place for the Town Council liaisons to other town agencies, boards and commissions, and requested that information be in writing.

Mayor Leclerc (1) thanked those Councillors who joined her at the new fire station on Brewer Street and invited residents to review photos on the town’s website; (2) said that Saturday, April 30th, was opening day for baseball in East Hartford; Mayor Leclerc was at Gorman Park and threw out the first softball; (3) stated that Saturday was also the opening day for soccer in East Hartford and that there was a good turnout for that event at Dwyer Park; (4) stated that $24,000 was allocated in the upcoming budget for new backstops for various baseball fields in town; (5) reminded residents that, presently, there is no curb-side pick-up of leaves and that bagged leaves need to be delivered to the town landfill located on Ecology Drive; (6) reiterated that residents need to get a bulky waste permit prior to placing materials at curbside. The bulky waste permit application can be accessed on the town’s website for those who have computers; and (7) congratulated Burnside Ice Company on the celebration of their centennial.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting  

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                        seconded by Pat Harmon
                        to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2011 Regular Meeting
                        with the following correction under Opportunity for Residents to Address
                        the Council on Agenda Items:

                        Susan Kniep, 44-46-50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked Councillor Linda
                        Russo, the liaison to the East Hartford Housing Authority for the
                        documentation supplied her from the East Hartford Housing Authority, and
                        sought additional East Hartford Housing Authority information from
                        the Town Council and asked if the financial problems were reported
                        to state agencies;…”
                        Motion carried 8/0. Horan out of Chamber


April 27, 2011 Special Joint Meeting/East Hartford Housing Authority  

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                        seconded by Marc Weinberg
                        to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2011 Special Joint Meeting
                        with the East Hartford Housing Authority.
                        Motion carried 7/0.  Abstain: Rossi
                                                Horan out of Chamber


COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

Resignations of (1) Dusty McMahan from Inland/Wetlands Environment Commission and Historic District Commission,
and (2) Terry Kitchen from the Zoning Board of Appeals

Chair Kehoe announced the resignations of Dusty McMahan and Terry Kitchen from their respective commissions and
thanked them for their service to the Town.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Issuance and Sale of Town of East Hartford General Obligation Refund Bonds

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                seconded by Eric Thompson
                to waive the reading of the resolution as presented.
                Motion carried 8/0.

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION WITH RESPECT TO THE AUTHORIZATION, ISSUANCE AND SALE OF TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS NOT EXCEEDING $6,000,000

RESOLVED:

Section 1.  Not exceeding $6,000,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the Town of East Hartford, Connecticut (the "Refunding Bonds") may be issued in one or more series and in such principal amounts as the Mayor, Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance shall determine to be in the best interests of the Town for the purpose of achieving net present value savings and/or to moderate debt service payments.  The Refunding Bonds are hereby authorized to refund all or any portion of any one or more series of the Town’s outstanding General Obligation Bonds (the “Refunded Bonds”).  The Refunding Bonds shall be issued and sold either in a negotiated underwriting or a competitive offering, and at such time or times as the Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance shall determine to be most opportune for the Town.  Each series of Refunding Bonds shall mature in such amounts and on such date or dates as shall be determined by the Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance provided that no Refunding Bonds shall mature later than the final maturity date of the last maturity of any Refunded Bonds being refunded by such series.  The Refunding Bonds shall bear interest payable at such rate or rates as shall be determined by the Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance.  The Refunding Bonds shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Town by the manual or facsimile signatures of the Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance bear the Town seal or a facsimile thereof, and be approved as to their legality by Robinson & Cole LLP, Bond Counsel.  The Refunding Bonds shall be general obligations of the Town and each of the Refunding Bonds shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, and that the full faith and credit of the Town are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon.  The aggregate denominations, form, details, and other particulars thereof, including the terms of any rights of redemption and redemption prices, the designation of the certifying, paying, registrar and transfer agent, shall be subject to the approval of the Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance.  The net proceeds of the sale of the Refunding Bonds, after payment of underwriter’s discount and other costs of issuance, shall be deposited in an irrevocable escrow account in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, interest and redemption premium, if any, due on the Refunded Bonds to maturity or earlier redemption pursuant to the plan of refunding.  The Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance, are authorized to appoint an escrow agent and other professionals and to execute and deliver any and all escrow, investment and related agreements necessary to provide for such payments on the Refunded Bonds and to provide for the transactions contemplated hereby.  The Mayor, the Town Treasurer and the Director of Finance, are authorized to prepare and distribute preliminary and final Official Statements of the Town of East Hartford for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Refunding Bonds, and they are hereby authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Town a Bond Purchase Agreement, a Continuing Disclosure Agreement, a Tax Regulatory Agreement and such other documents necessary or desirable for the issuance of the Refunding Bonds and the payment of Refunded Bonds.  

Section 2.  This resolution shall be effective until December 31, 2011.

On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.

                
Refund of Taxes

MOTION  By Marc Weinberg
                seconded by Pat Harmon
                to refund taxes in the amount of $18,580.78   
                pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
                Motion carried 9/0.


Bill
Name
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info.
Over Paid
2006-01-0015537
BAC TAX SERVICES CORP
60 WAKEFIELD CIR
$      (1,067.71)
2007-01-0013214
BAC TAX SERVICES CORP
35 CAMBRIDGE DR
$          (816.63)
2009-03-0090810
BRAY STEPHEN T
2006/BTBWLD/2C3LA73W26H536542
$            (50.72)
2006-01-0005957
CAMPUS REALTY L L C
84 COLT ST
$              (9.00)
2007-01-0013473
CORELOGIC
4-6 TOWER RD
$      (2,152.93)
2007-01-0005544
CORELOGIC
93 KING ST
$      (1,907.80)
2009-03-0062442
FITZGERALD KATIE L
2008/493XEV/2GTEK19CX81324821
$            (42.07)
2007-01-0016141
GOODWIN COLLEGE INC
2 KING CT
$      (2,768.99)
2009-03-0076352
NISSAN INFINITI LT
2006/670WJK/JN8AZ08W66W523665
$          (427.66)
2007-01-0011110
PARENT BEVERLY J
140 ROXBURY RD
$          (554.51)
2007-01-0013092
SCHEINBERG MARK E
10 HOWARD ST
$          (276.32)
2006-01-0013256
SCHEINBERG MARK E
30 ORCHARD ST
$      (1,364.71)
2008-02-0041759
XEROX CORPORATION
PPX00100
$      (7,141.73)
                                           TOTAL
$    (18,580.78)

Outdoor Amusement Permit Applications:

Gengras Harley-Davidson Demo Days

MOTION  By Bill Horan
                seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application, submitted by Hannah Gavin on behalf of
Gengras Harley-Davidson, to conduct a demonstration of motorcycles at 221 Governor Street, on
Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd from 9AM to 4PM both days, 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.

American Heart Association: “Wild at Heart”

MOTION  By Barbara Rossi
                seconded by Marc Weinberg
                to approve the outdoor amusement permit application submitted by
                Kristin DeCapua of the American Heart Association to conduct a
fundraiser to assist in the education and research of heart disease to be held at the Hoffman Audi
Dealership located at 700 Connecticut Boulevard on Saturday, June 4th from 7PM to 12AM, which will
include food music and dancing; 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; and to waive the associated permit fee due to the Town of East Hartford,
under the provisions town ordinance 5-6(c).
                Motion carried 9/0.


OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION

Eric Thompson (1) believes that there could be better communication between the liaisons and the Council on the
specific board or commission with which each liaison is involved; (2) asked for an average of how long it takes each
truck to vacuum leaves at each house and the number of employees in each crew; and (3) commented on the great
reception the Mayor received at the Arbor Day program held at O’Brien School.

Linda Russo thanked the Mayor for her prompt response to Councillor Russo’s concern voiced at the April 20th Town
Council meeting regarding the overflowing clothing bin on Pitkin Street.

Bill Horan thanked the Mayor for her participation in baseball’s opening day festivities on Saturday, April 30th.


COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS

None


OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK

Susan Skowronek recently attended the Spring Instrumental Concert at East Hartford High School and praised the
students and instructors for a job well done.

Mayor Leclerc (1) stated that she attended the Arbor Day program at O’Brien School and also was invited to visit the
2nd grade class since those students were not directly involved in the program.  The students constructed a banner
for the Mayor to thank her for visiting them; (2) thanked Dusty McMahan and Terry Kitchen for their years of service to
the town; and (3) announced the opening of the Resource Center at the East Hartford Middle School, implemented
by ChildPlan, which will serve many multi-lingual families in town.

Chair Kehoe commented that, this year, O’Brien School was selected by the Beautification Commission as the site
for planting a tree and a shrub as part of the Commission’s efforts to maintain the town’s status as a Tree City, which
East Hartford has been for the past fifteen years.

Marc Weinberg extended Happy Birthday wishes to Mayor Leclerc and Eric Thompson, who will both be celebrating
their birthdays in May.



ADJOURNMENT

MOTION  By Eric Thompson
                seconded by Bill Horan
                to adjourn (8:32 p.m.).
                Motion carried 9/0.


The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on May 17, 2011.






                                        Attest________________________________
                                                        Angela M. Attenello
                                                          TOWN COUNCIL CLERK