EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OCTOBER 18, 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 7:43 p.m. He announced the exit locations in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes
§ 29-381.
Members of Boy Scout Troop #57, along with Troop leaders Hank Skowronek, Ed Merik, Ray Simeone, Ken Walter, and Rajni Patel, led the Council in the pledge of allegiance.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Leclerc (1) stated that she and Acting Public Works Director Tim Bockus will be presenting an update on the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority; (2) supports the School Readiness/Quality Enhancement Grant Program; and (3) was pleased to attend the recent Youth Services’ anniversary celebration and applauded Cephus Nolen, Youth Services Director, for a job well done.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 4, 2011 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2011 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Presentation: Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority
Chair Kehoe summarized the history that the Town of East Hartford has with
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) for the disposal of the town’s solid
waste. Since the long-term contract that the town entered into with CRRA is about to
expire, the town decided to investigate alternative options to CRRA to hopefully reduce
the tonnage cost of disposal of municipal waste. To that end, the Town Council passed
an ordinance in August 2010 to give authorization for the town to join the Central
Connecticut Solid Waste Authority which is a consortium of towns that are looking to
negotiate with other vendors for the disposal of solid waste, as well as recycling
opportunities.
Acting Director Tim Bockus and Mayor Leclerc presented the Town Council with charts
that showed various prices and contract terms. Both Mr. Bockus and Mayor Leclerc
stated that the numbers are still in flux and that an update in a couple of months would
probably have a more established figure for the Council. The Mayor also indicated that
the percentage of recyclables has plateaued and then declined slightly. The Mayor
suggested that the town may wish to reinstate the Recycling Coordinator position.
NEW BUSINESS
School Readiness/Quality Enhancement Grant Program
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Teaching and Learning, is authorized to extend financial assistance, through the Quality Enhancement Grant program, to Municipal School Districts for programs to expand comprehensive programs through the School Readiness Program; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford and East Hartford Public Schools desire to make application and execute an application for funding in the amount of $28,340.00 with the State of Connecticut to support programs for East Hartford children.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council that Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc is hereby authorized to execute such application and other documents as may be required by the State of Connecticut for the School Readiness Program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Kehoe, Aberasturia
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Susan Skowronek
to refund taxes in the amount of $ 9,313.45
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0050179 |
ACHARYA ANIL K OR |
2001/468XEL/2HGES165X1H522593 |
$ (24.12) |
|
STALIN SHEEBA S |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0051858 |
AUTOMOTIVE RENTALS INC |
2003/6CW351/1FTNE24L63HB59991 |
$ (15.52) |
2010-03-0051883 |
AUTOMOTIVE RENTALS INC |
2003/6CW351/1FTNE24L63HB59991 |
$ (184.84) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0053432 |
BKM ENTERPRISE INC |
1990/V55940/1GRAA9625LB151803 |
$ (5.30) |
2010-03-0053440 |
BKM ENTERPRISES INC |
1989/V56488/1GRAA9621KB134219 |
$ (4.89) |
2010-03-0053441 |
BKM ENTERPRISES INC |
1989/V61491/1NNVA4820KM131071 |
$ (9.50) |
2010-03-0053452 |
BKM ENTERPRISES INC |
1991/V49420/1GRAA9020MB025701 |
$ (6.03) |
2010-03-0053462 |
BKM ENTERPRISES INC |
2001/85CW07/1FBNE31L71HA27169 |
$ (25.74) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0056544 |
CHASE AUTO FINANCE CORP |
2009/482XDL/JF2SH64649H748172 |
$ (342.36) |
2010-01-0011219 |
CORELOGIC - ATTN: REFUND |
59 PORTER ST |
$ (3,509.29) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0060567 |
DUELL ROBERT T OR |
1997/936SUY/3VWXB81H9VM123017 |
$ (17.89) |
|
DUELL KAREN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0061456 |
ENTERPRISE FM TRUST |
2005/245TGC/1NXBR32E05Z383376 |
$ (103.26) |
2010-03-0061460 |
ENTERPRISE FM TRUST |
2006/678UCG/2T1BR32E76C601820 |
$ (116.34) |
2010-03-0061461 |
ENTERPRISE FM TRUST |
2006/992UFL/2T1BR32E16C614840 |
$ (116.34) |
|
|
|
|
2010-02-0040677 |
FLEETWOOD FINANCIAL LEASING LLC |
VARIOUS |
$ (491.76) |
2010-03-0062985 |
FRENETTE RONALD A |
1999/736XZB/1FAFP10P5XW107602 |
$ (54.90) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0088236 |
GUZMAN ZENAIDA |
1998/740WSY/WDBJF82F4WX009253 |
$ (32.42) |
2010-03-0063808 |
GENERIS INC |
1996/362CLG/1GDHC34J3TE510697 |
$ (10.95) |
|
|
|
|
2010-02-0042301 |
HARVEY LEWIS CO OF HARTFORD CT |
22 EMELY ST |
$ (59.63) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0066849 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2008/283WYE/1HGFA16888L097745 |
$ (94.14) |
2010-03-0066883 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2010/436VAV/1HGCP2F36AA101580 |
$ (160.92) |
2010-03-0066892 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2009/524XCW/1HGCP26499A003812 |
$ (110.04) |
2010-03-0066945 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2008/884WVU/5FNYF18358B046393 |
$ (304.46) |
2010-03-0066946 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2008/887WSR/2HGFA16588H521041 |
$ (140.68) |
2010-03-0066952 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2010/978YED/2HGFA1F8XAH541307 |
$ (152.88) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0067087 |
HOWARD LEE SCHIFF PC |
2005/TRIAL/1J4GL48K95W679641 |
$ (67.87) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0068461 |
JZ INC DBA DUNKIN INC |
2010/929YCX/5GALVCED9AJ174223 |
$ (231.02) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0070472 |
LE BINH PHU |
1998/625YBZ/2T1BR12E7WC079940 |
$ (50.49) |
2010-03-0070486 |
LE HIEN P |
2005/980UAM/JTEHD20V156039940 |
$ (84.33) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0076021 |
NISSAN INFINITI LT-TAX OPERATIONS |
2008/383XBL/1N4BL21E28C154876 |
$ (347.48) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0077087 |
OUELLETTE GERALD L |
1968/135UZE/F25YEC42706 |
$ (25.06) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0077608 |
PASQUARELLI MARIA A |
1993/882JBT/JT2EL45U2P0136942 |
$ (5.05) |
2010-03-0078509 |
PETERSON D L TRUST |
2009/6891CB/1FTSW20549EA81650 |
$ (289.38) |
2010-03-0078929 |
PILON GREGORY V |
1995/367UKB/WBABJ6324SJD38570 |
$ (12.32) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0079563 |
QUATTROCCHI SUSAN G |
2001/281TZA/1LNHM97V11Y687632 |
$ (22.41) |
2010-03-0079564 |
QUATTROCCHI SUSAN G |
1998/93CM51/3B7HF12Y5WM231377 |
$ (24.44) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0080269 |
RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT |
1991/K33311/JW6ADF1F2ML001380 |
$ (61.61) |
|
C/O KENNETH SWERDLICK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0081336 |
RODRIGUEZ DOUGLAS |
1995/445XXV/2HGEJ2126SH545375 |
$ (12.77) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0082644 |
SAMUDA RODERICK B |
2000/412WXL/JT3HN86R2Y0319991 |
$ (36.11) |
2010-03-0084167 |
SIROIS ELLEN L |
1998/457UTX/3FAKP1138WR190860 |
$ (59.72) |
|
|
|
|
2009-03-0087097 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2007/31CA84/5TEUU42N57Z396359 |
$ (209.29) |
2010-03-0086760 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2008/JOY67/JTHGL46F685022526 |
$ (1,027.62) |
2010-03-0086761 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2008/KASDN5/JTEES43A882036610 |
$ (487.91) |
2010-03-0086777 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2009/355WXH/4T1BE46K09U304585 |
$ (164.37) |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
$ (9,313.45) |
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Mayor Leclerc answered the questions posed to the administration from the October 4, 2011 Town Council meeting. See attached.
Pat Harmon reiterated her concern for senior citizens living in senior complexes – similar to Elms Village – during severe storms.
Barbara Rossi reported that in the morning there are cars parked on the right side of Handel Road near the intersection of Maple Street waiting for a school bus to arrive. This causes an issue for cars entering Handel Road from Maple Street.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked Mark Zito, Superintendent of Schools, for posting Board of Education employees’ salaries and benefits to their website; (2) asked that the Mayor re-post town employee salaries and benefits to the website; (3) believes that there should be no raises for town directors; (4) would like clarification of the salary posted for the Police Chief; (5) asked for an update on the town’s revaluation at the next Town Council meeting; and (6) requested that the resolution for reforming state of Connecticut collective bargaining laws be added to the next Town Council agenda.
Franklin Kucza, 87 Greenlawn Street, (1) opposes raises for town directors and town employees; (2) asked for clarification of the salary for the Police Chief; and (3) asked for verification of the cost of the renovations underway in the Mayor’s office.
Susan Skowronek read a note from Todd Andrews, Vice President of Developmental Services at Goodwin College thanking the Economic Development Commission for the recent approvals of the Goodwin College Magnet School projects. Councillor Skowronek stated that Goodwin College is a strong component to East Hartford’s growth and drew a comparison to Salem State University, in Salem, Massachusetts. Councillor Skowronek also urged all residents to attend the EHHS football game on Friday, October 21, 2011 and support the team and the marching band.
Eric Thompson announced that his daughters, Daria and Alyssa, were inducted into the IB program at the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy (CIBA) this evening and congratulated them and the rest of the class of 2013 at CIBA.
Marc Weinberg agreed with Councillor Skowronek on the positive presence that Salem State University has on the community of Salem and surrounding towns. Councillor Weinberg also wished Ram Aberasturia, Peg Byrnes, and Ellen McCreery a Happy Birthday.
Chair Kehoe spoke to the issue of the Finance Director’s salary as addressed in the last town budget approved and passed by the Town Council. Chair Kehoe explained that the Council gave authorization to the Mayor to adjust the duties and wages of the directors of Public Works, Health and Social Services, Parks and Recreation, Corporation Counsel, Human Resources, and Finance provided that the sum total of the salaries of the six directors cannot exceed the salaries that were set in the 2011-2012 approved budget. In fact, with the adjustments that have been made, there is actually a reduction of $55,000 in the aggregate compensation to those six directors.
Chair Kehoe stated that revaluation is underway and that notices will be sent out in a couple of months. Projections of increases or decreases in assessments cannot be made at this time.
Barbara Rossi noted that as part of the increases to some directors’ wages, additional duties were added to their job description.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:41 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced the next meeting of the Town Council would be on November 1, 2011.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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