EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
APRIL 17, 2012
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Robert J. Damaschi
ABSENT Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr. and Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. The Chair 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
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) suggested that the Council post vacancies on the town’s various boards and commissions to the town’s website so that any citizen, regardless if affiliated with a political party, can apply to serve on that commission; (2) asked that the town post the initial appointment date of any individual who serves on a board or commission to the town’s website; (3) believes that the appointment of the town’s auditors should be limited to a maximum of a 5-year term with a 3-yr lapse between appointments, in order to have a different set of eyes reviewing town books; and (4) asked that there be a referral to the Ordinance Committee that would ban the erection of cell phone towers on school property and in town parks.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 3, 2012 Executive Session/Lentocha
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2012 Executive Session/Lentocha.
Motion carried 6/0. Abstain: Harmon
April 3, 2012 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Bob Damaschi
to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2012 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 6/0. Abstain: Harmon
April 12, 2012 Special Joint Meeting/Board of Education
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2012 Special Joint Meeting
with the Board of Education.
Motion carried 7/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Resignations:
Chair Kehoe announced the resignation of Diane Carlucci from the Beautification Commission and the resignation of Jen Adkins from Inland/Wetlands Environment Commission. He thanked both Ms. Carlucci and Ms. Adkins for their service to the town.
East Hartford Police Department National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Chair Kehoe announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 10AM to 2PM at the East Hartford Public Safety Complex, located at 31 School Street.
NEW BUSINESS
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC Program) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture administered by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for services including provision of nutritious food, nutrition and health education, breastfeeding promotion and referrals to healthcare and social services for categorically eligible individuals found to be at nutritional and/or medical risk; and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford is submitting a proposal for WIC Program funding to the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the period October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2017;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford does support and authorize the submission of a proposal for WIC Program funding;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford and in her absence, Richard F. Kehoe, Chair of the East Hartford Town Council, have been empowered to sign contracts and any of its amendments hereto, on behalf of the Town of East Hartford, between the Town of East Hartford and the Department of Public Health or its successor agency.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
Commerce Bank – Accounts Payable Cash Back Program
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc be and hereby is authorized, directed and empowered to establish an ActiveFunds program (“Program”) with Commerce Bank (herein called “Commerce”) and to execute all documents to effectuate this purpose which she may deem necessary and proper, including, without limitation, any application and/or agreement (each an “Agreement”) to establish the Program.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any one of the foregoing named officers of this Corporation may, from time to time, appoint an Administrator to assist Commerce in the administration of the Program as provided in the Agreement (each such term as defined in the Agreement).
FURTHER RESOLVED, Commerce is authorized to act upon these resolutions until written notice of revocation is delivered to Commerce, and that the authority hereby granted shall apply with equal force and effect to the successors in office of the officers named herein.
On call of the vote, motion carried 7/0.
Recommendation from Investigation & Audit Committee re: Appointment of Auditors for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2012
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to recommend that the Town Council appoint Blum Shapiro as the
town’s auditors for fiscal year 2011-2012 to perform required
financial audits consistent with the most recent proposal of
$69,300.00.
Motion carried 7/0.
Referral to Ordinance Committee re: §10-24 Property Tax Exemption – Solar
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to refer to the Ordinance Committee the possible revision of Article
4, §10-24, entitled Solar Energy Tax Exemption/Property Tax
Exemption of the East Hartford Code of Ordinances, to broaden the
personal property tax exemption, with instructions to investigate the issue
and report back to the Town Council with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 7/0.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: 46 Central Avenue
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the possible
acquisition of all, or a portion of, the property known as 46 Central Avenue,
which property is in close proximity to the Raymond Library, with instructions to
determine the benefits of this acquisition for the Raymond Library expansion,
and report back to the Town Council with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 7/0.
Appointment to Inland/Wetlands Environment Commission
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the appointment of James D. Welch, 68 Chapel Street,
to the Inland-Wetlands/Environment Commission, whose term shall
expire December 2014.
Motion carried 7/0.
Outdoor Amusement Permit Applications:
Cinco de Mayo
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the outdoor amusement permit, entitled “Cinco De
Mayo”, submitted by Matthew Nord, General Manager of Margaritas
Restaurant to conduct an outdoor bottled beer and Margarita
serving station (near the lounge entrance) to celebrate Cinco de
Mayo at Margarita’s Restaurant located at 330 Roberts Street
beginning at 11AM on Saturday May 5, 2012 and ending at 2AM on
Sunday, May 6, 2012; 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 7/0.
Memorial Day Parade
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application entitled, Memorial
Day Parade – 2012, submitted by the East Hartford Patriotic Commission
to conduct the town’s annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, 2012
from 9:00 AM to approximately 12:00 Noon, 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 7/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $8,713.44
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 7/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
2010-01-0000047 |
20 VILLAGE STREET LLC |
28 VILLAGE ST |
$ (200.00) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0051981 |
AYYANARRAJA SATHISHKUMAR |
2004//1HGCM56884A029694 |
$ (22.27) |
2010-01-0002327 |
CENLAR FED SAVINGS BANK |
34 PINECREST DR |
$(1,780.72) |
|
C/O CORELOGIC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-01-0015650 |
CHASE C/O CORELOGIC |
32 BIDWELL AVE |
$(2,985.94) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0058461 |
CT RESTORATION SPECIAL |
2008//JH4KB16648C002735 |
$ (377.07) |
2010-03-0058465 |
CT RSTRATION SPECIALISTS |
2006//1GNDT13S262310912 |
$ (5.25) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0060524 |
DUBE JEAN P |
2009//1UJBJ02K291JM0188 |
$ (266.91) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0062435 |
FLORES MARIA E |
2003//JTEHH20V630255464 |
$ (35.45) |
|
|
|
|
2010-01-0006339 |
HAJEK ALBERT J & NANCY C |
22 HEMLOCK LN |
$ (30.00) |
2010-01-0007425 |
HAMBELL L L C |
1602 MAIN ST |
$ (168.42) |
|
|
|
|
2010-01-0006927 |
MATHIAU DAVID J JR |
12 HOLLISTER DR |
$ (199.79) |
|
|
|
|
2010-01-0001524 |
NIEMIROSKI THEODORE A |
112 BROOKFIELD DR |
$(1,925.63) |
|
|
|
|
2010-01-0000485 |
OCTOBER HILL APARTMENTS |
929 BURNSIDE AVE #18 |
$ (192.75) |
2010-01-0000486 |
OCTOBER HILL APARTMENTS |
929 BURNSIDE AVE #19 |
$ (192.75) |
2010-01-0000487 |
OCTOBER HILL APARTMENTS |
929 BURNSIDE AVE #20 |
$ (192.75) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0079829 |
RAMKISSOON MEENAWATIE |
2000//JN1CA31A7YT022268 |
$ (13.01) |
2010-03-0080422 |
RICCIO LEONARD A |
2008//4T1BK36B78U315438 |
$ (7.98) |
|
|
|
|
2010-01-0012898 |
SAMELA NICHOLAS OR |
486 GOODWIN ST |
$ (9.36) |
|
SAMELA DOROTHY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0087605 |
VANDEBERG CARRIE L OR |
2009//3VWTL71K29M346572 |
$ (10.40) |
|
VANDEBERG HANS R |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0088014 |
VENTURA ADELINA R |
2000//1FAFP5325YA179454 |
$ (90.87) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0088514 |
WALLACE GARY M |
1997//3N1AB41D4VL036116 |
$ (6.12) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
$(8,713.44) |
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Eric Thompson questioned the hiring of Don Currey, the newly appointed East Hartford Democratic Town Chair,
in a temporary capacity as the town’s Human Resources Director, because of its appearance.
Pat Harmon (1) reported large potholes on Spencer Court near the underpass at the intersection of Main Street;
(2) asked for a development update – especially regarding progress at the School Street Square; and (3) requested
an update on blight issues in town and any progress the town is making on dealing with this issue. Additionally,
Councillor Harmon reminded seniors and veterans that it is time to apply for the town’s assessment exemptions program.
Ram Aberasturia asked for an update from CL&P on the repair of several utility poles on Long Hill Drive near Burnside Avenue.
Rich Kehoe would like an update from the MDC on the repaving of Oak Street.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Eugene Pushefski, 58 Barbara Road, (1) suggested adding more light to the area in front of Crossroads Cathedral
on Silver Lane to better see the police officer controlling traffic; and (2) stated that there is a speeding issue on
Barbara Drive, as well as an overnight parking issue and suggested a stronger police presence in his neighborhood.
Eric Thompson asked for a point of personal privilege to congratulate his daughter, Daria, whose artwork was
selected by the East Hartford Public Schools Fine & Performing Arts Department which was showcased at the
“Art at the Capitol Program for 2012”. Councillor Thompson acknowledged how proud he and his wife, Mia, are of Daria.
Marc Weinberg wished Carol Noel, newly appointed treasurer of the Democratic Town Committee, a Happy Birthday.
Ram Aberasturia announced that his niece Ramsey Aberasturia took her first steps yesterday.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adjourn (8:50 p.m.).
Motion carried 7/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on May 1, 2012.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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