TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
AUGUST 5, 2013
PRESENT Chair Rich Kehoe and Councillor Eric Thompson
ABSENT Councillor Bill Horan
ALSO Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
PRESENT Robert DeCrescenzo, Attorney for Martin Motors
Mr. Max O’Meara, Martin Motors, LLC
Susan Kniep
Don Sugalski
George Agnelli, Jr.
Steven Beeley, 22 Milwood Road
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 5:57 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 15, 2013 Meeting
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Rich Kehoe
to approve the July 15, 2013 meeting minutes.
Motion carried 2/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Steven Beeley, 22 Milwood Road, asked if the billboard on Interstate 84 would have an electronic display. It was indicated that it would be electronic and that further information would be forthcoming during the discussion on this agenda item.
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, wanted the code of ethics proposal to require an official to state reasons why he/she is abstaining from voting on an agenda item. Additionally, Mrs. Kniep suggested that these ethics regulations should also apply to spouses of public officials.
To accommodate those present, the Committee discussed Relocation of Billboards first.
OLD BUSINESS
Relocation of Billboards: 275 Connecticut Boulevard
Attorney Robert DeCrescenzo provided an overview of the proposal – a description of which is contained in the July 15, 2013 Ordinance Committee minutes. He added that if Martin Motors is able to obtain Town Council approval, he would still need to obtain Planning and Zoning Commission site plan approval which regulates the location and height of the billboard as well as require compliance with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations regarding the lighting of the billboard and the amount of times the billboard can switch messages per minute. Also, Martin Motors would need to obtain a DOT billboard license. There was concern with regard to the condition of the Connecticut Boulevard properties. It was noted that the proposed town contract with Martin Motors would include a requirement to clean up
of that property and would require the billboard on Interstate 84 to be removed after forty years, in contrast with the current billboards which can remain indefinitely. Councillor Thompson expressed concern about the visibility of the signs to residents who live on Roberts Street.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Rich Kehoe
to send the Martin Motors billboard proposal to the Town Council for the
purposes of setting a public hearing date with notice to the residents of
Roberts Street of such hearing and provided the billboard facings are not
visible to such residents.
Motion carried 2/0.
Code of Ethics
The Committee reviewed the code of ethics provisions. It was noted that the Committee would like to consider the following revisions to the Code of Ethics:
- If a recusal is made, there would be a reason stated as to why the official recused him/herself.
- any ownership interest in an “LLC” (limited liability corporation) that is contracted with the town, should disclose whether in fact, there have been campaign donations to any town officials.
- the addition of a provision to require that people who are being paid to lobby municipal officials, must register with the town of such contract.
- the definition of public official be clarified.
- to review the model act for ethics codes and provide for additional clarity with regard to when there is a conflict of interest with the goal of providing better and clearer guidance to municipal officials as to what constitutes a conflict of interest.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Rich Kehoe
to adjourn (6:49 p.m.)
Motion carried 2/0.
cc: Mayor Leclerc
Town Council
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Mike Walsh, Finance Director
Susan Kniep
George Agnelli
Don Sugalski
Steve Beeley, 22 Milwood Road
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