EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
JUNE 19, 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, and Patricia Harmon
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.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
East Hartford High School: 2012 “Top Twenty” Students
Chair Kehoe read the following resolution into the minutes:
WHEREAS, Matthew Ryan, Principal of East Hartford High School, has announced the names of the “Top 20 Students” in the Class of 2012 - the 126th graduating class in the history of East Hartford High School; and
WHEREAS, inclusion in this elite group of scholars is the result of four years of consistent exceptional work and dedication to studies; and
WHEREAS, special honors and awards have been bestowed on the members of the “Top 20”, and the support and guidance of parents, family and teachers must also be recognized and commended; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford hereby acknowledges the academic excellence and selection as a “Top Twenty” student of
Elizabeth Arpin Darcy Buceivicius Nolan Callahan Saqib Charlwala
Omayra Diaz Joshua Dillon Minh Do Chanon Gelly
Amber Heim Taylor Kenyon Deaneira Lakheram Kimloan Le
Casey Mayfield Haeley Mulholland Ankur Patel Shyam Patel
Paul Sundman Moriah Thibodeau Ryan Wallace Erin Walsh
and extends its congratulations for this outstanding achievement and, with the entire East Hartford community, wishes for continued personal success.
LET IT FURTHER BE KNOWN: That Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc joins the Town Council in this affirmation of tribute and honor.
Mayor Leclerc, Jeffrey Currey, East Hartford Board of Education Chair, and Chair Kehoe presented the students with this award. The entire Council joined with the Mayor in congratulating the Top Twenty and their parents for this prestigious achievement.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mary Hill, 53 King Court, thanked the Mayor, the East Hartford Police Department and the Town Council for their helpfulness to residents during the tactical training sessions recently held at King Court. Additionally, Ms. Hill indicated that Public Act 11-203 “An Act Concerning the Selection of Tenant Commissioners” which was effective October 2011 entitles housing authority residents to elect their own tenant commissioner and, accordingly, King Court residents will petition for such an election.
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked the Chair for scheduling a joint meeting with the East Hartford Housing Authority on June 28th; (2) suggested that there be better access to the minutes of the Housing Authority and believes that both the agenda and the minutes be posted on-line; (3) stated that there must be a new agreement between HUD and the Housing Authority since indications are that King Court will not be sold; (4) would like to know what process was used for rehiring Attorney Alexander who is the East Hartford Housing Authority’s legal counsel; (5) asked that union contract negotiations be open to the public through special meetings and public forums; (6) is surprised that the union contract for most town hall employees has not been settled yet; (7) strongly urges the Council not to
refer the Improve East Hartford program to the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission until a public hearing is called.
Peter Gero, 132 Sandra Drive, is concerned about the cost to the taxpayers to provide a police presence during the Coca-Cola strike. Additionally, Mr. Gero spoke against certain provisions of Senate Bill 22, which appears to give the city of Hartford control over East Hartford’s redevelopment plan.
Steve Strange, 40 Maplewood Avenue, believes that there should be better communication between the town’s elected officials and the public.
Frank Kucza, 87 Greenlawn Street, believes that the current Improve East Hartford program should be rewritten because it will not address blight issues in town.
Bill Brown, 877 Burnside Avenue, president of Eastwood Condominiums, noted that the revised Improve East Hartford program does incorporate some of the public’s comments made at recent meetings, but is still concerned about the issue of eminent domain. Also, Mr. Brown believes that this program does not benefit condominium owners.
Michael Vengruskas, 517 Hills Street, believes that development in town is at a stand-still. Also, Mr. Vengruskas does not agree with the Improve East Hartford program and asked that the Council not refer it to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Daniel Alves, 155 Harvest Lane, who owns a house on Burnside Avenue, does not believe that the Improve East Hartford program will be an effective solution to the town’s blight issue.
Donald Sugalski, 1736 Main Street, suggested that the Town Council incorporate term limits for those who serve on the town’s Boards and Commissions.
Mayor Leclerc (1) will give the Council an overview on the proposed bond referendum for road reconstruction and the East Hartford Middle School window walls replacement; (2) thanked the Council for their cooperation and input on the Improve East Hartford program; and (3) stated that with the year-end budget transfers, the town will finish the fiscal year with a balanced budget.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 5, 2012 Public Hearing/Improve East Hartford Program
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2012 Public Hearing/Improve East
Hartford Program, as corrected on June 11, 2012.
Motion carried 8/0.
June 5, 2012 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2012 Regular Meeting.
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the June 5, 2012 regular minutes with the following correction:
Ram Aberasturia recognized the EHHS baseball team who defeated top-ranked
Greenwich High School in the state semi quarter-finals.
Motion carried 8/0.
On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
East Hartford Art League: Spring Art Fest Awards – 2012
Chair Kehoe announced the recipients of this year’s Spring Art Fest awards and urged all to view the work of these talented artists on display at Raymond Library:
Purchase Award - Diana Lynn Cote for Oil Painting, “Lucy Vincent Beach”; Mayor’s Award - Neil Lefebvre for acrylic artwork, seven paintings in all; Blackstone Best in Show Award - Lorraine Adams Power for Oil Painting, “Observation Deck at Labor Field”; Reed Family Award - Ned Lomerson for Oil Painting, “Colt Dome”; Art League Award – Marilyn Pet for Oil Painting, “Eye Medicine”; Art League Award – Heather Kozikis, “Vision in Pink”; Discount Trophy Award – Jane W. Bradley, “Indian Corn”; Anderson Jeweler Award - Mary Guasta for Oil Painting, “On Silver Lane”
2012 Bond Referendum
Road Improvement Program:
Denise Horan, Town Engineer, gave the Council an overview of the proposed roads that will be on the spring 2013 schedule for improvement if the bond referendum is passed in November 2012. The bond issues of 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010 placed an emphasis on upgrading and rehabilitating main and arterial roadways in town. With many of those roads having been addressed, the focus is now on local and residential streets. Ms. Horan explained that the road program has three components: (1) monies allocated for the structural improvement of pavement; (2) minor maintenance which helps keep roads in good condition; and (3) setting aside monies for the local match associated with federal road funding opportunities. Ms. Horan stated that once the road program is completed in December 2012, approximately 29% of the
town’s roadway network will be resurfaced.
East Hartford Middle School Window Wall Replacement
Al Costa, Facilities Manager for the Board of Education, gave the Council a brief presentation on what the replacement of the Middle School’s window walls entails. The Middle School building, which used to be the town’s high school, was constructed in 1954, making the exterior window walls nearly 60 years old. The window walls are single pane glass, with an insulation value of R-1 which is extremely inefficient. The proposed replacement would remove the entire exterior wall system – the glass and the frames – and replacing it with a wall structure of metal studs, insulated cavities, a brick-faced veneer, and gypsum walls. That design would reduce the amount of glass surface by almost 50%, increasing the insulation value to R-27. This increase in efficiency would result in utility
cost savings of approximately $126,000.00 annually.
Michael Walsh, Finance Director, stated that if this bond referendum is approved in November, the East Hartford Middle School window wall replacement would classify as a “showcase project” that the town would submit to the U.S. Department of Energy under the Better Buildings challenge – which means a 20% reduction in energy costs by 2020. He indicated the project may qualify for energy grants or credits.
Mr. Walsh then reviewed the financial impact that both the road improvement program and the EHMS window wall replacement would have on the taxpayers.
NEW BUSINESS
End of Fiscal year 2011-2012
Interdepartmental Budget Transfers
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the interdepartmental transfers for fiscal year 2011-2012
consistent with the transfers listed in a memorandum from Finance
Director Michael Walsh to Mayor Marcia Leclerc dated June 19, 2012
totaling $877,500 in transfers within the General Fund as follows:
General Fund To |
~ |
~ |
Account Number |
Name |
Amount |
G2100-60110 |
Mayors' Office - Permanent Services |
10,000 |
G2200-60110 |
Corp. Counsel – Permanent Services |
52,000 |
G5204-60141 |
Police Operations – Overtime |
100,000 |
G5316-60141 |
Fire Suppression – Overtime |
700,000 |
G9400-60110 |
Social Services - Permanent Services |
15,000 |
G9837-63130 |
Retirement Board – IME |
500 |
0.59% |
TOTAL |
877,500 |
General Fund From Acct Number |
Name |
Amount |
G1100-63134 |
Town Council - Internal Audit |
5,000 |
G1200-63221 |
Town Clerk - Printing |
5,000 |
G1300-60135 |
Registrar of Voter - Election Officials |
5,000 |
G2300-60110 |
Human Resources - Permanent Services |
50,000 |
G2400-60110 |
Library - Permanent Services |
20,000 |
G2950-60110 |
Grants - Permanent Services |
25,000 |
G3300-60110 |
IT - Permanent Services |
410,500 |
G6100-60110 |
Inspections - Permanent Services |
15,000 |
G8100-60153 |
Park and Rec. - Rec. Leader |
50,000 |
G9100-60110 |
Health - Permanent Services |
30,000 |
G9510-66411 |
Debt - Interest (Town) |
51,000 |
G9520-66411 |
Debt - Interest (BOE) |
6,000 |
G9600-60201 |
Contingency - Reserve for Neg. |
205,000 |
~ |
TOTAL |
877,500 |
The funds being transferred are certified as available and unobligated.
Motion carried 8/0.
Supplemental Budget Appropriation & Fund Balance Transfer
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to adopt the following resolution:
A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION AND FUND BALANCE TRANSFER TO FUND YEAR-END DEFICITS IN THE MEDICAL RESERVE, THE OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT TRUST, AND THE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE RESERVE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2012
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford funds medical claim payments for active employees through the use of a Medical Reserve, and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford funds medical claim payments for retired employees through the use of an Other Post Employment Benefit Trust, and
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford funds General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Claims through the use of reserve funds, and
WHEREAS, due to higher activity in the Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Reserves coupled with a high volume of medical claims for active and retired employees, it is necessary for the Town of East Hartford to set aside additional budget contributions to fund projected deficits in these accounts through June 30, 2012.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Hartford Town Council does hereby approve this Supplemental Budget Appropriation of funds in the amount of $1,750,000 from the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance for the purpose of funding fiscal year 2011-2012 deficits as listed below and does hereby amend the current 2011-2012 fiscal year Operating Budget to reflect the addition of the attached Supplemental Revenue Appropriation and Expenditure Appropriation.
G0320-55900 Fund Balance Appropriation 1,750,000
G3800-61461 Employee Benefits – Medical Reserve Contrib. 500,000
G3800-61466 Retiree Benefit Trust – Contrib. 500,000
G3900-61408 AL/GL Claims Reserve Contrib. 750,000
Funds certified as unobligated and available.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Preliminary Year-end Financial Results
Michael Walsh, Finance Director, summarized the preliminary year-end financial results of the town. Fund balance sits at 7.6% of budget, which, in light of the economic situation, is still a fairly substantial fund balance.
Board of Education Capital Reserve Fund Deposit re: Goodwin & O’Connell School Roof
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that, in accordance with Article 7 §10-38 of the Town of East
Hartford Code of Ordinances, the Town Council approve the Board
of Education’s request to expend $412,423 from the Board of
Education’s Capital Reserve Account for the purposes of partially
funding roof repairs for the Goodwin and O’Connell School roofs.
Motion carried 8/0.
Town Capital Reserve Fund Balance Redesignation re: 40 Saunders Street
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that in accordance with Article 7 §10-35 of the Town of East Hartford
Code of Ordinances, the Town Council approve the reallocation of
$53,353.69 within the town’s Capital Reserve Fund for the purposes of
completing the remediation and demolition of 40 Saunders Street.
Motion carried 9/0
The above motion will be rescinded at the July 17, 2012 Town Council meeting; address should be 40 Central Avenue.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $ 448.89
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
2010-03-0051439 |
ARCHER TAKISHA S |
2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON |
-23.13 |
2010-03-0063271 |
GALLAGHER KENNETH A |
1998 NISSAN MAXIMA |
-9.39 |
|
|
|
|
2010-04-0010190 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
5FNYF18308B037973 |
-304.45 |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0070071 |
LANDSBERG JESSICA S |
1996 ACURA 3.5RL |
-43.09 |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0084984 |
ST PIERRE LUISA G |
2004//JHLRD77804C013564 |
-68.83 |
|
C/O KRAIG ST PIERRE,EXECUTOR |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
-448.89 |
Appointment to Inland/Wetlands Commission
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the appointment of Mary E. Manns of
74 Lawrence Street, to the Inland/Wetlands Commission
as an Alternate, whose term shall expire December 2015.
Motion carried 8/0.
Referral to Planning and Zoning Commission re: Revised Improve East Hartford Program
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to refer to the Planning & Zoning Commission the revised Improve
East Hartford Program resolution for report in accordance with
C.G.S Section 8-24 and subsequent to the receipt of such report,
set a public hearing date consistent with the procedures set forth
in §12-65(d) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
A copy of this revised resolution follows these minutes.
125 Riverside Drive
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application entitled “125
Riverside Drive/Sunset Jacks Weekend Bands submitted by Marc
Alderucci on behalf of Riverone, LLC, to conduct a series of
outdoor music events to include DJ’s or live bands at 125 Riverside
Drive on Friday and Saturday evenings from 10PM to 1:00AM on
the following dates in 2012:
June 22, 23, 29, 30
July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
August 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
September 1
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
Bill Horan commented on how well-kept the fields and grounds are at Gorman Park.
Pat Harmon shared with the Council a program sponsored by Connecticut Center for Nonviolence that could be helpful for conflict reconciliation in the town’s schools. Jeff Currey, Chair of the East Hartford Board of Education, asked that the information be sent to the Board office.
Eric Thompson attended the “stop log” event and commended the Public Works Director for a job well done.
Barbara Rossi thanked Christopher Washburn, 34 Woodbridge Avenue, for bringing flowers to the Town Council office, as well as other departments at Town Hall.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Tombari McFini v. Town of East Hartford, East Hartford Police Dept, et al
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel
to settle the case entitled Tombari McFini v. Town of East Hartford,
East Hartford Police Department, et.al for the total sum of $15,000.00.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Horan
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Jeff Currey announced that the teachers’ contract (East Hartford Education Association) has been settled.
Mayor Leclerc commended Ted Fravel, Parks and Recreation Director, and Tim Bockus, Public Works Director, for their joint efforts in keeping East Hartford beautiful and will be focusing on the more visible areas of town – like the Town Green.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to adjourn (11:10 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on July 17, 2012.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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