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EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AUGUST 21, 2012
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Minority Leader Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Esther B. Clarke
ABSENT Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:48 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
Beautification Commission Awards
Pat Sirois, Chair of the Beautification Commission, announced the July 2012 recipients: Residential – The Barry Family, 5 Lehigh Drive; Business – Wells Fargo Bank, 18 Main Street. Ms. Sirois presented the August 2012 awards, both residential, to the following recipients: The Mensah Family, 216 Goodwin Street and The Kramer Family, 206 Cambridge Drive.
The Town Council joined with Ms. Sirois in thanking all recipients for making East Hartford a prettier place to live.
Chair Kehoe displayed the silver award that the town of East Hartford garnered in the Dragon Boat Race held on August 18th which was sponsored by Riverfront Recapture. Besides himself, he recognized the following participants in this event: Mayor Leclerc, Mike Walsh, Chief Oats, Robert Pasek, Ram Aberasturia, Mike Manning, Nancy Wheeler, Mike Benjamin, Tim Larson, Gary LeBeau, Jim Cordier, Ryan Cordier, Ken Sayers, Doug Wilson, Linda Trzetziak, Nancy Larson, Luke Bajana, Gus Bajana, Sue Marquis, Tom Kinell and Jeff Currey.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Ron Stocker, 143 Fitzgerald Drive, inquired on the generality of his comments as noted in the August 7th minutes and passed a list of his specific questions to the Chair for responses.
Andre Sowell, 222 Forest Street, and Cari Magnano, 4 Gladys Road, spoke in favor of the bond referendum for the East Hartford Middle School Window Wall replacement.
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) appreciated the comments made by the public supporting the proposed bond for the EHMS window wall replacement, but believes that the proposed bond referenda be postponed for a year due to the poor economic climate; (2) suggested that the Council compare state funding for magnet and charter schools to state funding for public schools to see if any disparities exist; (3) asked that the Council inquire of the town’s Bond Counsel what the financial impact would be to the town’s residents if state funding is not available for the EHMS window wall replacement as stated in the proposed bond resolution; (4) suggested that the public should be kept informed of various town subcommittees, such as the Mayor’s blight group and the Library Commission, through access to the town’s website and/or a Town Council agenda item; and (5) asked that, prior to the September 4th public hearing for the Improve East Hartford Program, the streets affected by
the Improve East Hartford Program be posted to the town’s website.
Jeff Currey, Chair of the East Hartford Board of Education, spoke to the proposed bond issue for the EHMS window wall replacement, comparing the amount of glass to be replaced at the Middle School to the equivalent window area of 322 modest sized homes.
Mr. Currey stated the window system is nearly 60 years old and has well exceeded its useful life. He urged residents to vote in favor of the window wall replacement.
Mr. Currey then introduced Nathan Quesnel, the newly appointed Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Quesnel thanked the Council for their support of his new appointment. He recognized the leadership of the Board of Education and the teachers, paraprofessionals, and staff. Most importantly, he is dedicated to the future needs of East Hartford students. Additionally, Mr. Quesnel supports the proposed bond resolution for the EHMS window wall replacement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 7, 2012 Executive Session/Standish
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2012 Executive Session/Standish.
Motion carried 8/0.
August 7, 2012 Public Hearing/Bond Referendum: Roads & EHMS Window Walls
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2012 Public Hearing/Bond
Referendum/Roads & EHMS Window Walls Replacement.
Motion carried 8/0.
August 7, 2012 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2012 Regular Meeting, as
corrected.
Motion carried 8/0.
August 14, 2012 Special Joint Meeting/East Hartford Housing Authority
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to approve the minutes of the August 14, 2012 Special Joint Meeting/East
Hartford Housing Authority.
Motion carried 8/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Responses to Questions Asked of Administration
Chair Kehoe summarized the answers from the administration to the Councillors’ questions at the August 7, 2012 Town Council meeting. The responses were included in this evening’s electronic packet, but are also available through the Town Council Clerk.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Charter Oak Greenway Project Grant
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that it is in the best interest of the Town of East Hartford, Connecticut, to enter into contracts with the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection pertaining to a $50,000 grant for the design of the Charter Oak Greenway Project.
IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS RESOLUTION, Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is duly authorized to enter into and sign said contracts on behalf of the Town of East Hartford. Marcia A. Leclerc currently holds the title of Mayor and has held that office since January 10, 2011. The Mayor is further authorized to provide such additional information and execute such other documents as may be required by the local, State or Federal government in connection with said contracts and to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Bond Referenda:
Road Reconstruction – Phase V:
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to waive the reading of Sections 2 through 6.
Motion carried 8/0.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $10,000,000 FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF TOWN ROADS AND PARKING LOTS AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $10,000,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD:
Section 1. The sum of $10,000,000 is appropriated for the planning, design, construction and reconstruction of town roads (Phase V) and parking lots, including rebuilding, resurfacing, drainage, conduits, and related subsurface and infrastructure improvements (the “Project”), and for administrative, legal and financing costs related thereto.
Section 2. To meet said appropriation $10,000,000 bonds of the Town or so much thereof as shall be necessary for such purpose, shall be issued, maturing not later than the tenth year after their date. Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as determined by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance in the amount necessary to meet the Town’s share of the cost of the Project, provided that the total amount of bonds to be issued shall not be less than an amount which will provide funds sufficient with other funds available for such purpose to pay the principal of and the interest on all temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of said bonds outstanding at the time of the issuance thereof, and to pay for the
administrative, printing and legal costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds shall be in the denomination of $5,000 or a whole multiple thereof, be issued fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the Town by the facsimile or manual signatures of the Mayor and the Treasurer, bear the Town seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company and be approved as to their legality by Robinson & Cole LLP, Attorneys-at-Law, of Hartford. The bonds shall be general obligations of the Town and each of the bonds shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, and that the full faith and credit of the Town are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and interest thereon. The aggregate principal
amount of the bonds of each series to be issued, the annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the certifying, registrar and transfer agent and paying agent, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such bonds including approval of the rate or rates of interest, shall be determined by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance in accordance with the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended from time to time (the “Connecticut General Statutes”).
Section 3. Said bonds shall be sold by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance in a competitive offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the bonds shall be sold at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or true interest cost to the Town. A notice of sale or a summary thereof describing the bonds and setting forth the terms and conditions of the sale shall be published at least five days in advance of the sale in a recognized publication carrying municipal bond notices and devoted primarily to financial news and the subject of state and municipal bonds. If the bonds are sold by negotiation, provisions of the purchase agreement shall be approved by the Mayor,
Treasurer, and Director of Finance.
Section 4. The Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance are authorized to make temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of said bonds. Notes evidencing such borrowings shall be signed by the Mayor and the Treasurer, have the seal of the Town affixed, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance, be approved as to their legality by Robinson & Cole LLP, Attorneys-at-Law, of Hartford, and be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance pursuant to Section 7-373 of the Connecticut General Statutes. They shall be issued with maturity dates which comply with the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes governing
the issuance of such notes. The notes shall be general obligations of the Town and each of the notes shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such note is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, and that the full faith and credit of the Town are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon. The net interest cost on such notes, including renewals thereof, and the expense of preparing, issuing and marketing them, to the extent paid from the proceeds of such renewals or said bonds, shall be included as a cost of the Project. Upon the sale of the bonds, the proceeds thereof, to the extent required, shall be applied forthwith to the payment of the principal of and the interest on any such notes then outstanding or shall be deposited with a bank or trust company in trust for such purpose.
Section 5. The Town hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to §1.150-2 of the Federal Income Tax Regulations, Title 26 (the “Regulations”), to reimburse expenditures paid sixty days prior to and anytime after the date of passage of this resolution in the maximum amount and for the Project defined in Section 1 with the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations (“Bonds”) authorized to be issued by the Town. The Bonds shall be issued to reimburse such expenditures not later than 18 months after the later of the date of the expenditure or the substantial completion of the project, or such later date the Regulations may authorize. The Town hereby certifies that the intention to reimburse as expressed herein is
based upon its reasonable expectations as of this date. The Director of Finance or his designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending the issuance of reimbursement bonds.
Section 6. The Mayor, Treasurer and Director of Finance are hereby authorized, on behalf of the Town, to enter into agreements or otherwise covenant for the benefit of bondholders to provide information on an annual or other periodic basis to Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (the “MSRB”) and to provide notices to the MSRB of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of the bonds and notes authorized by this resolution. Any agreements or representations to provide information to MSRB made prior hereto are hereby confirmed, ratified and approved.
On call of the vote on the bond referendum for road reconstruction, motion 8/0.
East Hartford Middle School Window Wall Replacement
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to waive the reading of Sections 3 through 8.
Motion carried 8/0.
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING $5,700,000 FOR WINDOW WALL REPLACEMENT AT EAST HARTFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,600,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET THE TOWN’S SHARE OF SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD:
Section 1. The sum of $5,700,000 is appropriated for window wall replacement at East Hartford Middle School, to be completed in accordance with final plans and specifications therefor to be approved by the School Building Committee, and for architects and engineers fees, administrative, legal and financing costs related thereto (the “Project”), said appropriation to be inclusive of any and all State and Federal grants-in-aid thereof.
Section 2. To meet Town’s share of said appropriation $1,600,000 bonds of the Town or so much thereof as shall be necessary for such purpose, shall be issued, maturing not later than the tenth year after their date. Said bonds may be issued in one or more series as determined by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance in the amount necessary to meet the Town’s share of the cost of the Project, determined after considering the estimated amounts of the State grants-in-aid of the Project or the actual amounts thereof, if this be ascertainable, and the anticipated times of the receipt of the proceeds thereof, provided that the total amount of bonds to be issued shall not be less than an amount which will provide funds sufficient with other
funds available for such purpose to pay the principal of and the interest on all temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of said bonds outstanding at the time of the issuance thereof, and to pay for the administrative, printing and legal costs of issuing the bonds. The bonds shall be in the denomination of $5,000 or a whole multiple thereof, be issued fully registered form, be executed in the name and on behalf of the Town by the facsimile or manual signatures of the Mayor and the Treasurer, bear the Town seal or a facsimile thereof, be certified by a bank or trust company which bank or trust company may be designated the registrar and transfer agent, be payable at a bank or trust company and be approved as to their legality by Robinson & Cole LLP, Attorneys-at-Law, of Hartford. The bonds shall be general obligations of the Town and each of the bonds shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied
with, that such bond is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, and that the full faith and credit of the Town are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and interest thereon. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds of each series to be issued, the annual installments of principal, redemption provisions, if any, the certifying, registrar and transfer agent and paying agent, the date, time of issue and sale and other terms, details and particulars of such bonds including approval of the rate or rates of interest, shall be determined by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance in accordance with the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended from time to time (the “Connecticut General Statutes”).
Section 3. Said bonds shall be sold by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance in a competitive offering or by negotiation, in their discretion. If sold in a competitive offering, the bonds shall be sold at not less than par and accrued interest on the basis of the lowest net or true interest cost to the Town. A notice of sale or a summary thereof describing the bonds and setting forth the terms and conditions of the sale shall be published at least five days in advance of the sale in a recognized publication carrying municipal bond notices and devoted primarily to financial news and the subject of state and municipal bonds. If the bonds are sold by negotiation, provisions of the purchase agreement shall be approved by the Mayor,
Treasurer, and Director of Finance.
Section 4. The Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance are authorized to make temporary borrowings in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of said bonds. Notes evidencing such borrowings shall be signed by the Mayor and the Treasurer, have the seal of the Town affixed, be payable at a bank or trust company designated by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance, be approved as to their legality by Robinson & Cole LLP, Attorneys-at-Law, of Hartford, and be certified by a bank or trust company designated by the Mayor, Treasurer, and Director of Finance pursuant to Section 7-373 of the Connecticut General Statutes. They shall be issued with maturity dates which comply with the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes governing
the issuance of such notes. The notes shall be general obligations of the Town and each of the notes shall recite that every requirement of law relating to its issue has been duly complied with, that such note is within every debt and other limit prescribed by law, and that the full faith and credit of the Town are pledged to the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon. The net interest cost on such notes, including renewals thereof, and the expense of preparing, issuing and marketing them, to the extent paid from the proceeds of such renewals or said bonds, shall be included as a cost of the Project. Upon the sale of the bonds, the proceeds thereof, to the extent required, shall be applied forthwith to the payment of the principal of and the interest on any such notes then outstanding or shall be deposited with a bank or trust company in trust for such purpose.
Section 5. The Mayor, Treasurer and Director of Finance are hereby authorized to spend a sum not to exceed the aforesaid appropriation and the Mayor is specifically authorized to make, execute and deliver any contract or contracts, and any other documents necessary or convenient to complete the Project authorized herein and the financing thereof.
Section 6. The Town hereby expresses its official intent pursuant to §1.150-2 of the Federal Income Tax Regulations, Title 26 (the “Regulations”), to reimburse expenditures paid sixty days prior to and anytime after the date of passage of this resolution in the maximum amount and for the Project defined in Section 1 with the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations (“Bonds”) authorized to be issued by the Town. The Bonds shall be issued to reimburse such expenditures not later than 18 months after the later of the date of the expenditure or the substantial completion of the project, or such later date the Regulations may authorize. The Town hereby certifies that the intention to reimburse as expressed herein is
based upon its reasonable expectations as of this date. The Director of Finance or his designee is authorized to pay project expenses in accordance herewith pending the issuance of reimbursement bonds.
Section 7. The Mayor, Treasurer and Director of Finance are hereby authorized, on behalf of the Town, to enter into agreements or otherwise covenant for the benefit of bondholders to provide information on an annual or other periodic basis to Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (the “MSRB”) and to provide notices to the MSRB of material events as enumerated in Securities and Exchange Commission Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, as amended, as may be necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the sale of the bonds and notes authorized by this resolution. Any agreements or representations to provide information to MSRB made prior hereto are hereby confirmed, ratified and approved.
Section 8. The Board of Education is authorized in the name and on behalf of the Town to apply to the Connecticut Commissioner of Education for any and all State grants-in-aid of the Project.
On call of the vote on the bond referendum for the East Hartford Middle School Window Wall Replacement, motion carried 8/0.
Placement on the Ballot
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the following:
RESOLVED: That the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $10,000,000 For The Planning, Design, Construction And Reconstruction Of Town Roads And Parking Lots And Authorizing The Issuance Of $10,000,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”, adopted by the Town Council on August 21, 2012, and the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $5,700,000 For Window Wall Replacement At East Hartford Middle School And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,600,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet The Town’s Share Of Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”, adopted by the Town Council on August 21, 2012, be submitted to the Town electors
for approval or disapproval at a referendum in conjunction with the general election to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (E.S.T.), and that the warning of said referendum shall state the questions to be voted upon as follows:
- “Shall the resolution entitled ‘Resolution Appropriating $10,000,000 For The Planning, Design, Construction And Reconstruction Of Town Roads And Parking Lots And Authorizing The Issuance Of $10,000,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose’, adopted by the Town Council on August 21, 2012, be approved?”
The ballot label for said question shall read as follows:
“Shall the $10,000,000 appropriation and bond authorization for the planning, design, construction and reconstruction of Town roads and parking lots be approved?”
YES _____ NO _____
2. “Shall the resolution entitled ‘Resolution Appropriating $5,700,000 For Window Wall Replacement At East Hartford Middle School And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,600,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet The Town’s Share Of Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose’, adopted by the Town Council on August 21, 2012, be approved?”
The ballot label for said question shall read as follows:
“Shall the appropriation of $5,700,000 and bond authorization of $1,600,000 to meet the Town’s share of said appropriation for window wall replacement at East Hartford Middle School be approved?”
[The balance of said appropriation is expected to be met from State grants-in-aid.]
YES _____ NO _____
The warning shall also state that the full text of the aforesaid resolutions is on file, open to public inspection, in the office of the Town Clerk, that the vote on the aforesaid bond resolutions is taken under the authority of Chapter VI Section 6.9 of the Charter of the Town of East Hartford, and Chapter 152 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and that absentee ballots will be available in accordance with law in the office of the Town Clerk.
Motion carried 8/0.
Explanatory Text Publication and Payment Thereof for Bond Referenda
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
that the Town Clerk prepare for publication the explanatory text
regarding the bond referenda and that those costs be paid for
by the Town Clerk.
Motion carried 8/0.
Appointment to Planning and Zoning Commission: Travis Simpson
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the appointment of Travis Simpson to the town’s Planning and
Zoning Commission, whose term shall expire December 2013.
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Ram Aberasturia asked for and received a summary of accidents occurring on Roberts Street over the past ten years, in the vicinity of Margarita’s, involving vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. Based on that summary, there is an average of 24 ½ reported accidents of varying degrees, per year. Councillor Aberasturia is inquiring if that is a high number based on the amount of traffic in that area and asked if the town could contact the DOT for their statistical input.
Pat Harmon (1) asked for the latest tax collection rate; and (2) inquired if there could be an increased police presence at EHHS in the Forbes Street area to help ease the increased traffic, especially since school is opening on August 30th.
Councillor Harmon announced that the first day of school is Thursday, August 30th and urged drivers to be aware of students walking to and from school. Also, she reminded all residents to obey school bus signals.
Esther Clarke relayed a complaint from a constituent regarding the high grass and weeds on the “S” curve area along Burnside Avenue which was the result of state roadwork recently, and asked what could be done about this.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Tim Coppage, President of the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce, introduced himself and his wife to the Council and stated that he looks forward to working with the Councillors for the betterment of the town.
Barbara Rossi welcomed Mr. Coppage to the town and noted that his presence at the Economic Development Commission’s monthly meetings is appreciated.
Mayor Leclerc announced that the town’s new Human Resources Director, Santiago Malave, will start on September 4th.
Marc Weinberg recognized the birthdays of the following citizens: Joanne LeBeau, Elaine Genga, Ginny Lynch, Linda Chamberlain, Marsha Goodman and Susan Kniep.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to adjourn (9:12 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on September 4, 2012.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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