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09-03-13 Regular Town Council Minutes
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