EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JULY 12, 2011
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Susan P. Skowronek and Patricia Harmon
ABSENT Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson
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, after which the Council joined him in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to amend the agenda as follows:
Under Communications & Petitions:
Add item 6. B. "Response from D.O.T. re: Directional Signs to Rentschler
Stadium & Cabela's".
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) requested that the special joint meeting with the East Hartford Housing Authority be televised; (2) asked that there be an opportunity for residents to speak at the special joint meeting with the East Hartford Housing Authority; (3) asked that the Council make public the information available for the special joint meeting with the East Hartford Housing Authority; (4) suggested that the Council move with caution on fees related to town-owned buildings; (5) questioned the lease on the East Hartford Community Cultural Center and asked for an audit of this property; (6) thanked the Council Clerk, and all involved, for the electronic format of the Council packets which are posted on the town’s website; and (7) noted that the State of Connecticut has included a transparency link on their
website and asked that the town provide a similar service to the town’s residents.
Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes, 37 Greene Terrace, (1) strongly supports the State of Connecticut Department of Education Youth Services Grant; (2) praised the Parks and Recreation Director and staff for all that they do during the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival; (3) agrees with the inclusion of a budget line item for the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival; and (4) cautioned the Ordinance Committee in changing a job description for a specific candidate and believes that supervisory experience for any director is important.
Mayor Leclerc (1) stated that she, and Parks and Recreation Director Roger Moss, in conjunction with the YMCA, kicked off the Farmers’ Market this past Saturday on the Town Green; (2) thanked all those involved with Riverfest activities, held on July 9th, making it a huge success; (3) is proud of the accomplishments of the New to You Thrift Shop, sponsored by the town’s Senior Services division; (4) is looking to the Ordinance Committee for discussions on the possible revision to the job description for the Public Works Director; (5) said that the Youth Services Grant must be submitted by July 15th; (6) supports the referral to the Fees Committee on the fee charged the Rotary Club; and (7) stated that the referral to Ordinance Committee regarding the dispensing of alcohol on town premises is to better
protect the town and close the gap on the town’s exposure to any liability.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 21, 2011 Executive Session/Spellman
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2011 Executive Session/Spellman.
Motion carried 8/0.
June 21, 2011 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2011 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
South End Senior Center: New to You Thrift Shop
Chair Kehoe encouraged the public to support the Thrift Shop by donating used items,
such as clothing, furniture, household items, dishes, linens, etc. If any questions,
Michelle Pantaleo, Senior Services Coordinator can be reached at 860-569-5659.
Response from D.O.T. re: Directional Signs to Rentschler Stadium & Cabela's
Chair Kehoe explained that the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation has acknowledged receipt of the letter sent by the Town Council for the installation of a directional sign to Cabela’s. The DOT responded that they anticipate further discussions with the town in the very near future.
NEW BUSINESS
State of Connecticut Department of Education: Youth Services Grant
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of this municipality a grant application in an amount not to exceed $50,000 with the State of Connecticut Department of Education for a “Youth Service Bureau Grant” and to file any amendments or reports as may be required to successfully complete the terms of the grant contract.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Referrals to Fees Committee:
East Hartford Rotary Club
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
refer to the Fees Committee the possible waiver of the fee charged the
East Hartford Rotary Club for their weekly meetings held at the Veterans
Memorial Clubhouse with instructions to review the issue and report back
to the Town Council with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 8/0.
Refund of Building Permit Application Fee
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Bill Horan
refer to the Fees Committee the fee charged by the Inspections and
Permits Department for refunding a building permit application fee with
instructions to review the issue and report back to the Town Council with
its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 8/0.
Referrals to Ordinance Committee:
Dispensing of Alcohol on Town Property – Chapters 5 and 14
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to refer to the Ordinance Committee possible revisions to Chapters 5 and
14 of the East Hartford Code of Ordinances with regard to the dispensing
of alcohol on town premises with instructions to review the issue and
report back to the Town Council with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 8/0.
Section 2-115 – Director of Public Works
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to refer to the Ordinance Committee possible changes to the job
description for Director of Public Works as shown in Section 2-115
of the East Hartford Code of Ordinances with instructions to review the
matter and report back to the Town Council with its recommendations,
if any.
Motion carried 8/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to refund taxes in the amount of $2,017.57
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0064379 |
ALLY FINANCIAL (FKA GMAC) |
YS3FD79Y776106705 |
($393.83) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0054244 |
BRENNAN DAVID D |
1FMYU03174KA70211 |
($5.00) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0058277 |
CRESPO LUZ NEREIDA |
2HGEJ2142PH518179 |
($9.51) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0072626 |
MARTINEZ ARES R |
1FAFP13P8XW109808 |
($38.55) |
2009-03-0073711 |
MCILVEEN ANGELA J |
1N4DL01DXYC185927 |
($86.17) |
2009-03-0075531 |
MUPPIDI AMARDEEP R |
1NXBR32E34Z324403 |
($34.30) |
|
|
|
|
2004-01-0010436 |
NAPIER MARSHA |
199 CRESCENT DR |
($1,450.21) |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
($2,017.57) |
Outdoor Amusement Permit Applications:
16th Annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application submitted by
Roger Moss, Director of the East Hartford Parks and Recreation
Department for the purposes of conducting the 16th Annual Podunk
Bluegrass Music Festival to be held at Martin Park, 307 Burnside Avenue
in East Hartford on the following days and times in 2011:
- Thursday, August 4th 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
- Friday, August 5th 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday, August 6th 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday, August 7th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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.
Podunk Rendezvous
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application submitted by
Podunk Rendezvous in partnership with Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival
and the East Hartford Historical Society by Cathie Condio, Events
Coordinator, to conduct a 4-day educational, musical and intercultural
program in connection with this area’s history on October 6th, 7th, 8th and
9th, 2011 at Cabela’s located at 475 East Hartford Boulevard from 9AM to
6PM with music, dance and period reenactments throughout the 4-day
time period, 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 of Section 5-6 of the East Hartford Code of Ordinances as
it is a non-profit and tax exempt organization.
Motion carried 8/0.
22nd Annual Fall Fest
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application submitted by Jim
Uhrig on behalf of the East Hartford Parks & Recreation Department for
the purpose of holding a fall themed, family oriented event consisting of, pony rides,
games, hay wagon rides, etc. to be held at the East Hartford Town Green on
Main Street in East Hartford on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 10AM – 5PM
with music being provided during the same hours, 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
Pat Harmon asked if the state’s cuts in PILOT funding have affected the town’s budget. Additionally, Councillor Harmon reported that there is a huge pothole near the intersection of Brewer and Main – near Wendy’s and 7-11.
Barbara Rossi told the Mayor that there are several potholes when you turn from Oxford Drive onto Washington Avenue.
Bill Horan stated that there is a large pothole in front of 15 Rustic Lane.
Mayor Leclerc encouraged the Councillors, and the public, to report any road issues to the Mayor’s office.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) stated that Church Street is in need of road repair; (2) reviewed the most recent road repair contracts in the Engineering Department and believes that these contracts are subject to an audit; (3) called for an audit of the lease of the East Hartford Community Cultural Center units; (4) considers the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival to be beneficial to the town, but would like to know the ultimate cost of this event to the taxpayer; (5) asked that the upcoming Special Joint Meeting with the East Hartford Housing Authority be televised and that there be an opportunity for public comment; (6) believes that there should be a contract for legal services between the East Hartford Housing Authority and its attorney; (7) stated that the East Hartford Housing Authority’s recovery plan should be
made available to the public; (8) said that she would pursue a Freedom of Information request of the East Hartford Housing Authority’s attorney regarding the confidentiality of information for Goodwin College relating to King Court; (9) read an excerpt from a letter from an architect who was not awarded a contract with the East Hartford Housing Authority, yet has provided low bids on several projects.
Mayor Leclerc announced that the K-9 Olympics will be held at UCONN Storrs campus on Saturday, July 23rd. She asked that the public attend and support our police officers and their K-9’s.
Councillor Linda Russo, as a point of clarification, stated that everything that she has received in attending Board of Directors meetings of the East Hartford Housing Authority in her capacity as liaison to the East Hartford Housing Authority is on file in the Town Council Office. Additionally, Councillor Russo reminded all that, as liaison, she is not permitted to sit in Executive Session and she is not a voting member.
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, in responding to Councillor Russo’s statement, thanked Councillor Russo for her explanation on the information from the East Hartford Housing Authority, and asked for clarification on how Council liaisons communicate with the Chair of the Town Council.
Councillor Marc Weinberg acknowledged the July birthdays of Councillor Susan Skowronek and Town Council Clerk Angela Attenello.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Susan Skowronek
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:50 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be August 2, 2011.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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