EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JANUARY 17, 2012
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,
Patricia Harmon and Robert J. Damaschi
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 8:04 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.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
To accommodate those present, the requirement to speak on agenda items was waived and the following citizens came forward to voice opposition to the recommendation by the Board of Education to eliminate the HeadStart program from their upcoming 2012-2013 budget:
Savanna Velez-Merrick, 223 Hollister Drive; Stephen Merrick, 223 Hollister Drive; Joanne Fulk, 53 Hamilton Road, Apt A-1; Daniel Adjer, 30 Henderson Drive; Yaasmeen Cook, 89 Anita Drive; Alice Cannavaro, 44 Lilac Street; Michelle Randolph, 19 Mitchell Court; Cassandra Collier, 26 Linden Street; Jelina Ortiz, 14 Columbus Circle; and Margaret Kishimoto, 22 Matthew Road.
Ms. Fulk presented the Council with a petition signed by 212 citizens who want the HeadStart program continued. (copy in Council office)
Ms. Randolph provided the Council a sample of her daughter’s homework from the HeadStart program. (copy in Council office)
Ms. Cannavaro gave the Council a hard copy of her oral presentation for keeping the HeadStart program. (copy in Council office)
Mrs. Kishimoto spoke against the recommendation by the Board of Education to lay off the office paraprofessionals, instructional paraprofessionals, media paraprofessionals, and library paraprofessionals.
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, again asked the Council to consider a resolution reforming the binding arbitration process for employees’ union contracts.
Mayor Leclerc (1) applauded those who came to speak in favor of the HeadStart program; (2) supports the revisions to the Director’s job descriptions as presented at tonight’s public hearing; and (3) thanked both Joan Ross and Stephen Watkins for volunteering their time in serving on the Board of Assessment Appeals.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 3, 2012 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2012 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Presentation: Goodwin College
Mark Scheinberg, President, and Todd Andrews, Vice President, offered the Council a power-point presentation on the various projects implemented by Goodwin College over the last few years. Mr. Andrews noted that the total number of Goodwin College graduates has more than doubled since 2006-2007. Additionally, Mr. Andrews stated that Goodwin College has averaged over $910,000 in combined taxes and PILOT funds paid to the town since 2005. A hard copy of the presentation was distributed to all Councillors and a copy has been retained in the Council office.
Resignation of Joan Ross from the Board of Assessment Appeals
Chair Kehoe announced the resignation of Joan Ross from the Board of Assessment Appeals and thanked her for her service to the town.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation from Ordinance Committee for Proposed Revisions to §2-115 of the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances for the Director of Parks & Recreation, Director of Human Resources and Director of Inspections & Permits (Building Official)
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Eric Thompson
to postpone action on the proposed revisions to §2-115 of the Town of
East Hartford Code of Ordinances regarding job descriptions for the
Director of Parks & Recreation, Director of Human Resources, and Director
of Inspections & Permits (Building Official).
Motion carried 9/0.
Appointment to Board of Assessment Appeals: Stephen Watkins
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Bill Horan
to postpone action on the appointment of Stephen J. Watkins of
11 Phillips Farm Road to the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Eric Thompson (1) asked why the Republican appointments to various Boards and Commissions had not come forward from the Mayor’s office; (2) inquired on the response to a letter sent to the DOT in May 2011 on signage off I-84, Exit 58 directing people to Cabela’s and/or Rentschler Field; (3) would like DOT to install signage off the highway to indicate restaurants, and other points of interest in East Hartford; and (4) asked what the reference to “the Fire Marshal discovered church” on Park Avenue was on the NEAT log.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
George Agnelli, 92 Langford Lane, suggested the Council meet with the Planning and Zoning Commission and Development Department to address possible revisions to the town’s zoning regulations which would allow for further commercial development on Silver Lane in the Rentschler Field area.
Mayor Leclerc announced the appointment of Tim Bockus as the Director of Public Works.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:30 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next regular meeting of the Town Council would be on February 7, 2012. The Chair announced
the special joint meeting with the East Hartford Housing Authority on January 31, 2012.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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