EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr.(arrived 7:50 p.m.), 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 7:43 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, 44-46 and 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) suggested that the Council provide some insight into the matters on the Executive Session at the start of the regular meeting, so that the public has an opportunity to speak to those issues; (2) believes that the agenda item on the relocation of billboards should be more specific, listing the property that the billboards will be relocated to; and (3) strongly urged the Council not to approve the relocation of the billboards at 275 Conn Boulevard due to (a) the noise generated by the electronic signs, (b) the lights from the digital display could be excessive, and (c) the environmental impact on the community.
Mayor Leclerc (1) stated that there is a new CERT class on September 19th – applications are available at the Public Safety Complex and the Mayor’s office. The Mayor also announced that Jeff Cummings will be honored at that meeting for his commitment to the CERT team; (2) announced that the EHPD reported that August 28th, the first day of school, was successful in traffic control and student safety; (3) reminded all that Fall Fest will begin October 12th; (4) showed the Council the newspaper article on Susan Hansen, the new Library Director and reiterated what a great addition she is to the Mayor’s team and will have an update for the Council on the progress of the Library renovations in October; and (5) fully supports the relocation of the billboards presently at 275 Conn Boulevard
and hoped the Council will support it as well.
At this point, Chair Kehoe noted the deaths of Wallace “Wally” Inkpen, the town’s Deputy Assessor for the past seven years, and Gregory Choquette, the brother of John Choquette who is the Assistant to the Mayor. They will be missed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 20, 2013 Executive Session/Eady
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2013 Executive Session/Eady.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Russo, Thompson
August 20, 2013 Public Hearing/Mayor’s Salary & Relocation of Billboards
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Bill Horan
to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2013 Public Hearing/Mayor’s
Salary and Relocation of Billboards.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Russo, Thompson
August 20, 2013 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 7/0. Abstain: Russo, Thompson
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation from Ordinance re: Relocation of Billboards at 275 Conn Boulevard
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the proposed agreement, dated August 28, 2013, between the
Town of East Hartford, Martin Motors, LLC, The O’Meara Foundation and
The 1900 Corporation, as outlined in a letter dated August 30, 2013 from
Robert DeCrescenzo, Attorney for the 1900 Corporation, to Rich Gentile,
Assistant Corporation Counsel.
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to amend the motion by adding the following to the original motion:
“…provided that such billboard facings not be visible or audible from the
residential properties on Roberts Street”.
Motion carried 9/0.
On call of the vote of the amended motion, motion carried 9/0.
Municipal Tax Lien – Mobile Homes
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that the Town Council waive the bidding requirements set forth in the
Town of East Hartford Code of Ordinances §10-7 and, pursuant to
Connecticut General Statutes §12-195, assign tax liens as set forth on
Exhibit A of a letter from VMF TL1, LLC to Michael Walsh, Finance
Director dated August 8, 2013, to VMF TL1, LLC for the total sum of
$5,000.00.
Motion carried 9/0.
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refund taxes in the amount of $5,009.90
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 9/0.
Bill |
Name |
Prop Loc/Vehicle Info. |
Over Paid |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0050423 |
AGARWALA SANDIP |
2004//3N1CB51D14L463055 |
$ (29.76) |
2012-03-0051182 |
ANDERSON EXELEE |
2002//1G8JW54R32Y539347 |
$ (24.41) |
2012-03-0051530 |
ARI FLEET LT |
2008//3FRWF65Z28V646536 |
$ (120.32) |
2012-03-0051657 |
ARRIETTA RAYMOND A |
1996//1FALP6534TK213868 |
$ (10.75) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0052209 |
BAKER WALTER F |
2003//1FMZU77E73UA99253 |
$ (98.77) |
2012-03-0053381 |
BLAKE ALTON |
2000//JNKCA31A0YT113619 |
$ (13.69) |
2012-03-0054607 |
BUDAJ MICHAEL J |
1996//1FMCU24X5TUC54879 |
$ (23.05) |
2012-03-0054780 |
BURNHAM MARK L |
1997//1G2NE52M9VM558728 |
$ (6.45) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0055398 |
CARBALLO JOSE A |
2002//JS1GR7HA722106103 |
$ (59.93) |
2012-03-0056424 |
CHILD MARK J |
1952//528B6424 |
$ (12.55) |
2011-02-0042669 |
CLEAR WIRELESS LLC |
284 PRESTIGE PARK RD |
$(3,132.22) |
|
|
|
|
2011-04-0081817 |
DALE MARVIN T |
2008//1N4AL21E78N474405 |
$ (280.40) |
2012-03-0058616 |
DALY MARY D OR |
1998//1LNFM97V0WY727200 |
$ (28.98) |
|
DALY CHARLES D |
|
|
2012-03-0061452 |
FASCIONE SUSAN M |
2007//1FAHP31N77W124919 |
$ (19.06) |
2012-03-0062782 |
FREEMAN BRADFORD D |
1991//JP3CU14A1MU020671 |
$ (9.43) |
|
|
|
|
2011-04-0088701 |
HAAS DEBORAH J |
1996//1FMEU15NXTLA78255 |
$ (40.18) |
2012-03-0065694 |
HEBERT KEVIN K |
1996//1G4HP52K1TH450669 |
$ (7.33) |
2012-03-0065841 |
HENRY WILLIAM |
2001//4A3AA46G71E105701 |
$ (19.14) |
2012-03-0065914 |
HERNANDEZ EUDESIA J |
1998//1FTYR10CXWUA46980 |
$ (9.62) |
2011-03-0066651 |
HJ CONTRACTORS |
2004//WVGCM67L94D010217 |
$ (145.20) |
2012-03-0066564 |
HONDA LEASE TRUST |
2010//1HGCP2F77AA089121 |
$ (185.52) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0070616 |
LIDSTONE ELIZABETH R OR |
2003//2G1WF52E839374681 |
$ (29.01) |
|
LIDSTONE PETER |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0073443 |
MICHAUD NANCY |
2001//1FTRX17W11NA98317 |
$ (15.72) |
2012-03-0073755 |
MIRANDA JOSEFA U |
2001//JN1CA31D21T626049 |
$ (14.88) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0075873 |
OLHABERRY ALAIN P |
2000//1G3WH52H8YF186074 |
$ (17.43) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0076626 |
PANTANO PAOLO |
1998//1LNFM82W0WY630217 |
$ (22.35) |
2012-03-0078310 |
POSTEMSKI HEATHER L OR |
2007//1G1AL15F177281458 |
$ (21.51) |
|
POSTEMSKI ROBER D JR |
|
|
2011-01-0007233 |
POWELL-DYER LORNA |
21 FRANCIS ST |
$ (99.61) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0079492 |
REYES-SIFUENTES AIDA N |
2003//4A3AA46G93E163067 |
$ (24.10) |
2012-03-0080057 |
RIVERA RENE M |
1996//1Y1SK5263TZ065504 |
$ (6.54) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0082029 |
SANTIAGO ODETTE A |
1999//1G3WS52H5XF316814 |
$ (8.25) |
2011-04-0087433 |
SNOW KELSIE M |
1997//JN1CA21D0VT873022 |
$ (29.95) |
2012-03-0083617 |
SNOW KELSIE M |
1997//JN1CA21D0VT873022 |
$ (114.58) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0085732 |
TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP |
2011//4T1BF3EK7BU124437 |
$ (316.34) |
2012-03-0085996 |
TUGGLE RANDY J |
1994//2T1AE09B3RC079175 |
$ (6.45) |
|
|
|
|
2012-03-0088380 |
WILSON CARLOS R |
1999//4T1BG22K2XU507527 |
$ (6.42) |
|
|
TOTAL |
$(5,009.90) |
Appointment to the Hockanum River Commission
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the appointment of Fern Strong to the Hockanum River
Commission, whose term shall expire December 2014.
Motion carried 9/0.
Appointment to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the appointment of Eileen Driscoll to the Property Maintenance
Code Board of Appeals, whose term shall expire December 2015.
Motion carried 9/0.
Outdoor Amusement Permit Applications:
Gengras Harley-Davidson Fall Open House
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to approve the outdoor amusement permit application, entitled “Gengras
Harley-Davidson Fall Open House”, as submitted by Hannah Gavin,
Events Coordinator for Gengras Motor Cars, Inc., to conduct an open
house featuring music, a free lunch for customers and a stunt show to be
held at 221 Governor Street on Saturday, September 14th from 9AM to
5PM, with music during those same hours, and Sunday September 15th
from 10AM to 3PM, with music during those same hours, 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.
Scout Family Fun Day
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the outdoor amusement permit entitled, “Scout Family Fun Day”,
submitted by Timothy Lynch, Activities Chair for the East Hartford Boy Scouts –
Hockanum River District, to conduct a scouting demonstration event to be held at
Alumni Park on Main Street in East Hartford on Saturday, September 7, 2013
from 8AM to 4PM with music from approximately 9AM to 3PM, 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; and to waive the associated permit fee under the provisions of Town
Ordinance Section 5-6(c) as the Boy Scouts of America is a not-for-profit organization.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
None
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Edward Wilson v Town of East Hartford – Tax Appeal
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Edward Wilson v. Town of East Hartford,
Docket No. CV-12-6015608S, involving 235 East River Drive, Unit 206,
from the fair market value of $380,000 to the fair market value of $320,000
which shall generate a reduction of $1,797.18 in property taxes.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
Commerce Center One, LLC v Town of East Hartford – Tax Appeal
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Esther Clarke
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Commerce Center One, LLC v. Town of
East Hartford, Docket No. CV-12-6015902S, involving 333 East River
Drive, from the fair market value of $9,640,430 to the fair market value of
$9,100,000 which shall generate a reduction of $16,187.50 in property taxes.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
800 Connecticut Boulevard, LLC v Town of East Hartford – Tax Appeal
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as 800 Connecticut Boulevard, LLC v. Town
of East Hartford, Docket No. CV-12-6015712S, involving 800 Connecticut
Boulevard, from the fair market value of $6,940,680 to the fair market value
of $5,500,000 which shall generate a reduction of $43,152.70 in property
taxes.
Motion carried 6/2. Nay: Thompson, Clarke Abstain: Horan
Solar Todd Trust v Town of East Hartford – Tax Appeal:
818-850 Silver Lane
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Solar Todd Trust v. Town of East
Hartford, Docket No. CV-12-6015436S, involving 818-850 Silver Lane, from
the fair market value of $3,432,950 to the fair market value of $3,150,000
which shall generate a reduction of $10,106.15 in property taxes.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
794-810 Silver Lane
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to settle the pending
real property tax appeal known as Solar Todd Trust v. Town of East
Hartford, Docket No. CV-12-6015436S, involving 794-810 Silver Lane, from
the fair market value of $1,054,450 to the fair market value of $1,000,000
which shall generate a reduction of $1,630.94 in property taxes.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
Rafael Negron v Town of East Hartford – Personal Injury Claim
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to fully and finally settle
the personal injury claim brought by Rafael Negron, with a loss date of July 11, 2011,
for the total sum of $15,000.00.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 44-46, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) thanked the Council for the specific information included in the Executive Session motions; (2) suggested that the amount of taxes in dispute should be included when listing the tax appeal cases on the agenda; (3) believes that the Town Council failed to address the impact of electronic billboards to the property values in the community; (4) thinks the Council should be mindful that the tax lien sales on the agenda represent residents losing their homes because they cannot afford the taxes based on the mill rate; and (5) asked that the Council update the public as to the financial impact of the MDC lawsuit to the community.
Marc Weinberg wished all Jewish residents a happy Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Councillor Weinberg also reminded all that Friends of Center Cemetery will hold their Lantern Tour next weekend.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:00 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on September 17, 2013.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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