EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
FEBRUARY 5, 2013
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 Esther B. Clarke
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:35 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
Presentation By Cabela’s to the East Hartford Police Department: K-9 Division
Officer Zavalick, K-9 Axel, Officer Mona, K-9 Primo, and Officer Grossi, K-9 Hades were present when representatives from Cabela’s donated to the East Hartford Police Department the Generation 3 Go-Pro Hero camera.
Chair Kehoe and Mayor Leclerc recognized the partnership between the town and Cabela’s and also thanked the EHPD K-9 division for all they do everyday.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Susan Kniep, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked Cabela’s for their donation to the EHPD; (2) supports the appointment of Joseph Kronen to the MDC; (3) suggested that the MDC liaison from the Town Council report any updates from the MDC; (4) believes that the MDC should follow Mayor Leclerc’s example by posting vital information to their website, such as employee salaries, benefits, bonding information, etc. ;(5) noted that several employees salaries exceed $100,000 annually, and asked how this will affect their pensions which will be paid for by the taxpayers; (6) believes that the step increases for wages are an important part of the budget discussion; (7) reiterated her FOI request from the December 11, 2012 Town Council meeting; and (8) asked that there be a referral to the Ordinance Committee to strengthen
the town’s Ethics laws.
Mayor Leclerc (1) supports the Retirees Pension increases, the ING Hartford Marathon and the appointments and reappointments to the various Boards and Commissions; (2) announced that again this year, the Town Clerk will waive the marriage license fee on February 14th, St. Valentine’s Day; and (3) reported that there will be a public gathering at the Marco Polo on February 13th and 14th to support Ashlee Feliciano, an East Hartford resident, will be a contestant on American Idol.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 15, 2013 Executive Session/Asiamah
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2013 Executive
Session/Asiamah.
Motion carried 9/0.
January 15, 2013 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Resignation of James D. Welch: Inland/Wetlands Commission
Chair Kehoe announced that James Welch has offered his resignation from the Inland/Wetlands Commission. He thanked him for his service to the town.
NEW BUSINESS
Retiree Pension Increases: Retirees from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL ONE PERCENT COST OF LIVING INCREASE TO TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD RETIREES WHO RETIRED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1998 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1999
WHEREAS, the Town of East Hartford, through its Retirement Board, is contractually obligated to study every three years, the effect that economic conditions has had on retiree payments; and
WHEREAS, the results of the Retirement Board commissioned study shall be submitted to the Mayor who shall forward it to the Town Council for possible action; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Town Council jointly recognize the economic impacts that have caused retiree pensions to fail to keep up with the effects of inflation and will fund an increase in the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget to provide for this increase in retiree pensions.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council hereby approves an annual one percent cost of living adjustment for retirees and beneficiaries who retired after December 31, 1998 through December 31, 1999 to be paid as part of the pension payment for the period beginning July 1, 2012, and annually thereafter.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security re: Emergency Management Performance Grant
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of East Hartford, Connecticut, may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate pertaining to an “Emergency Management Performance Grant” for the period of October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Marcia A. Leclerc, as Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, Connecticut, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of East Hartford and to do and perform all acts and things which she deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Referral to Tax Policy Committee re: Tax Lien Sales
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to refer to the Tax Policy Committee the list of properties
recommended for the town’s annual tax lien sale as attached to a
memorandum dated January 22, 2013 from Finance Director Michael
Walsh to Mayor Marcia Leclerc, with instructions to review the
proposed list of properties and the criteria used by the town to
implement a tax lien sale and to report back to the Town Council
with its recommendations, if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee:
Removal of Retaining Wall – 157 King Street
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the
possibility of the town entering into an agreement with the property
owner of 157 King Street for the purposes of removing an existing
concrete block wall that is failing, with instructions to investigate the
issue and report back to the Town Council with its
recommendation, if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
Release of State-owned Parcels – Route 5 (North) and Park Avenue
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the
possibility of the town acquiring two parcels of state-owned land at
the intersection of Park Avenue and Main Street (Route 5 – North),
with instructions to investigate the issue and report back to the
Town Council with its recommendation, if any.
Motion carried 9/0.
ING Hartford Marathon
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit submitted by Josh
Miller, Technical Director for the Hartford Marathon Foundation to
conduct a marathon, road races and outdoor musical entertainment
with volunteers and several thousand spectators and runners on
Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 7:30AM to 1:30PM, with music
between the hours of 9AM and 12PM, 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 9/0.
Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions:
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the following appointments:
Library Commission Term
D Todney Harris 34 Passaro Drive 12/16
Economic Development Commission
D Paul J. Sousa 56 Columbus Street 12/16
D John P. Ryan 172 Burke Street 12/16
Redevelopment Agency
D John P. Ryan 172 Burke Street 12/16
Motion carried 9/0.
Reappointments to Various Boards and Commissions:
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the following reappointments:
Beautification Commission Term
D Elizabeth Russell 118 Oak Street 12/16
D Lee Ann Manning 119 Brandon Road 12/16
BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS
D Peter Bonzani 50 Bedford Avenue 12/18
Commission on Services for People with Disabilities
D Virginia Lynch 77 Chapel Street 12/15
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
D Debra Arrieta 6 Sunset Ridge Drive 12/16
Emergency Medical Services Commission
D Ana Gould 446 Main Street, Apt. 112 12/15
Board of Ethics
Alternates
D Susan Skowronek 84 Syracuse Drive 12/18
D Judy Shanahan 29 Whitney Street 12/18
Fine Arts Commission
D Terrye Blackstone 26 Holland Lane 12/18
D Regina Barall 821 Brewer Street 12/18
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
D Gloria Visgilio-Lupi 106 Sherwood Drive 12/18
Library Commission
D Debra Arrieta 6 Sunset Ridge Drive 12/16
D Gloria Visgilio-Lupi 106 Sherwood Drive 12/16
Planning & Zoning Commission
D Thomas Fitzgerald 6 Elaine Drive 12/18
Public Building Commission
D Richard Domler 147 Woodlawn Circle 12/18
Redevelopment Agency
D Ellen McCreery 39 Greene Terrace 12/18
Veterans Affairs Commission Term
D Mary Ann Roczynski 244 Handel Road 12/15
D Vincent Parys 1480 Silver Lane 12/15
D Kirk Allison 66 School St., Apt. B-8 12/15
D David Whalen 86 Shawnee Road 12/15
D Linda Carrasquillo 66 Arnold Drive 12/15
D Paul Barry 23 Candlewood Drive 12/15
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
D Richard Torpey 134 Manor Circle 12/18
Motion carried 9/0.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: Republican
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Esther Clarke
to approve the following appointments:
- Michelle Lock to Inland Wetlands/Environment Commission; term to expire December 2014
- Eileen Powers, Alternate, to Inland Wetlands/Environment Commission; term to expire December 2014
Motion carried 9/0.
Setting a Public Hearing Date of Tuesday, February 19, 2013 @ 7PM for Revisions to
the Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to set a public hearing date of Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 7PM in
Town Council Chambers to hear citizen comment on the proposed
revisions to the following sections of the town of East Hartford Code of
Ordinances:
- Section 10-7: Use of Request for Qualifications for State and Federal Bidding Procedures
- Sections 5-1, 5-3, 5-4, & 5-5 and 14-7: Revising the Amusement Permit Process
- Section 7-8 a.: Withholding Building Permits on Delinquent Tax Property
Motion carried 9/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $3,898.14
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
2011-03-0053138 |
BERUBE CLARENCE J OR |
2008/JHLRE48568C004311 |
$ (10.87) |
|
BERUBE GENEVA M |
|
|
2010-02-0041931 |
BLIVEN DON |
486 MAIN ST |
$ (409.69) |
2011-03-0054390 |
BROWN FAMILY LIVING TRUST |
1998/JF1GF4854WH809912 |
$ (122.81) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0055092 |
CAB EAST LLC |
2007/3MEHM01177R615927 |
$ (265.62) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
2010-03-0055093 |
CAB EAST LLC |
2008/3LNHM26T28R625060 |
$ (346.44) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
2010-03-0055098 |
CAB EAST LLC |
2008/3LNHM28T58R637183 |
$ (277.77) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
2010-03-0055109 |
CAB EAST LLC |
2008/1FTWW31R88EC00467 |
$ (902.50) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
2010-03-0055115 |
CAB EAST LLC |
2008/1FMCU93198KB00796 |
$ (466.74) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-01-0005079 |
FISH DOROTHY F |
135 APPLETREE DR |
$ (20.00) |
|
|
|
|
2010-03-0062599 |
FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO |
2005/1FBNE31L95HA74435 |
$ (266.41) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
2010-03-0062601 |
FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO |
2005/1FTNE24L45HA79463 |
$ (238.53) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
2010-03-0062603 |
FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO |
2005/1FTNE24L45HA53414 |
$ (238.53) |
|
FORD CREDIT PERS PROP TAX |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0071261 |
LONERGAN JAMES M, ESTATE OF |
2006/1G6DM57T860113385 |
$ (170.22) |
|
C/O SIMON LEBO, EXECUTRIX |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0071843 |
MAILHOT RENE J |
1969/CM43K9C124484 |
$ (19.77) |
|
|
|
|
2011-03-0086766 |
ULLMAR MICHAEL C |
1969/9A46Q189813 |
$ (101.80) |
2011-03-0086767 |
ULLMAR MICHAEL C |
2005/1ZVHT85H355236141 |
$ (40.44) |
|
|
TOTAL |
$(3,898.14) |
Appointment of Joseph Kronen to the Metropolitan District Commission
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Pat Harmon
to appoint Joseph Kronen to the Metropolitan District Commission
to fill the unexpired term created by the death of John Grottole;
such term to expire December 2014.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Esther Clarke believes there is a safety issue with the right-on-red sign installed at the corner of Main Street and Brewer Street (near 7-11), especially since she observed a vehicle turning east onto Brewer while a large fire engine was traveling down that same lane toward the intersection with its lights on. Also, Councillor Clarke stated that the driveway from the 7-11 onto Brewer Street could also be a safety concern under that circumstance. The Mayor stated she would bring this issue to the attention of Tim Bockus, Public Works Director.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Reginald Thibault, 42 Chester Street, is concerned about the operation of Kahoot’s, 639 Main Street and their adherence to the town’s Sexually Oriented Business ordinance. Mr. Thibault read from a report that he had written from his personal observances.
Todney Harris, 34 Passaro Drive, thanked the Council for approving his appointment to the Library Commission, to which he commented that it was the first step in serving his community.
Mayor Leclerc stated that she is working on the town’s budget.
Barbara Rossi congratulated Jan Presutti, former Parks and Recreation Department employee, on her retirement after 33 years of service to the town of East Hartford.
Marc Weinberg wished a belated Happy Birthday to Esther Clarke.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (8:50 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on February 19, 2013.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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