EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr. (arrived 8:10 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 7:45 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
Protectors of Animals Day in honor of Linda Williams
Councillor Linda Russo, who initiated this recognition for her friend, Linda Williams, introduced Mayor Leclerc, who presented the following proclamation to Ms. Williams:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, In 1998 Linda Williams was able to devote her talent and energy as a full-time volunteer at Protectors of Animals; and
WHEREAS, she has evolved from a volunteer to a true POA champion, serving on the Board of Directors and helping to find Protectors of Animals a much needed permanent home in 2000 at 144 Main Street in East Hartford with the help of her husband Jim; and
WHEREAS, Linda served on the Board of Directors as Fundraising Coordinator, coordinating the Fur Ball for eight years, as well as the Holiday Fair and numerous other successful fundraising activities throughout the years; and
WHEREAS, for 15 years Linda has been the organization’s “go-to” person; training 63volunteers, scheduling and training 16 clean and feed volunteers at the Glastonbury PetSmart, maintaining supplies for both the cat and dog divisions, fostering cats and kittens, putting together the quarterly newsletter and bulk mailings, producing and placing advertising and posters, sending out thank you letters to POA’s generous donors, and even calling the plumber, Linda has helped the cat shelter run smoothly; and
WHEREAS, Linda has immersed herself in POA’s mission of animal rescue and the organization has been reaping the benefits of Linda’s hard-work, dedication and compassion for 15 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, Let It Be Known, that I, Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the great Town of East Hartford am proud to join with animal lovers, family and friends to proclaim this day, September 17th
Protectors of Animals Day
in Honor of
Linda Williams
Mayor Leclerc, the Town Council and all the occupants in the Chamber stood and applauded Ms. Williams for the honorable work that she has performed over the years.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Leclerc addressed the Council on the following: (1) commented on the annual Senior picnic that she attended today at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club; (2) the town’s nine solar projects have all been permitted and the goal is to be up and running November 2013; (3) the Finance and Public Work Departments are working with DEEP to explore other solar options; (4) the East Hartford Golf Course RFP has a return date of September 30th; (5) the annual audit is underway for fiscal year 2013 and a preliminary report should be ready early December; (6) pending approval by the Council this evening, the Town Hall parking lot project will start immediately – completing the paving prior to winter – with landscaping and plantings, donated by Goodwin College, in the Spring; (7) the Putnam Bridge Project is
underway and closings will be broadcast on Channel 5; (8) Fall Fest will start October 12th, which includes the Scare Crow contest, organized by ChildPlan; and (9) the town of East Hartford will participate in the Bike/Walk-to-Work Day on September 27th and will host a reception for those participants on the Town Hall front lawn.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 3, 2013 Executive Session/Tax Appeals & Negron
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Eric Thompson
to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2013 Executive Session/Tax
Appeals & Negron.
Motion carried 8/0. (Horan out of Chamber)
September 3, 2013 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0. (Horan out of Chamber)
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Presentation by EHPD: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
Mark Sirois, Chief of Police, introduced Beau Thurnauer, Deputy Chief and Timothy Juergens, Lieutenant, both part of the department’s accreditation team and thanked them for their involvement in CALEA. Chief Sirois explained that CALEA started in 1979 and is a 21-member Commission – consisting of ten law enforcement professionals and eleven members from the public and private sectors. There are five phases to the accreditation process: (1) enrollment; (2) self-assessment; (3) on-site assessment from CALEA; (4) review and award of the accreditation; and (5) maintenance of the accreditation through compliance. The Chief indicated that accreditation could be in place by late summer or early fall of 2014 and that the accreditation is for a 3-year period.
A PowerPoint presentation followed and Councillors were invited to ask questions of the Chief.
Presentation by Board of Education: East Hartford Public Schools Test Scores
Jeff Currey, Chair, East Hartford Board of Education, introduced Nate Quesnel, Superintendent of East Hartford Public Schools, who addressed the Council on the most recent CMT/CAPT test score updates through a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Quesnel started the presentation with reiterating the six core beliefs of the district: (1) expectations matter; (2) effort matters; (3) competence matters; (4) solutions matter; (5) relationships matter; and (6) results matter. Mr. Quesnel was also pleased to report that significant increases in proficiency at or above the state average were scored in reading and writing; math was still an area that the district will need to work on for most students. Also shown was a reduction in district discipline data, noting a 30% reduction in in-school suspension and out-of-school suspension in
2013.
Chair Currey announced that the East Hartford Public School System was awarded the distinction of being one of the top ten large work places in the state of Connecticut, ranking #7. Also, Mr. Quesnel was awarded the top leader of large businesses in the state of Connecticut.
NEW BUSINESS
Greater Hartford Transit District re: Dial-A-Ride Grant
MOTION By Linda Russo
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED that Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc is authorized to make, execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all contracts or amendments thereof with the Greater Hartford Transit District in relation to a $14,117.81 grant to the Town of East Hartford to be used to support costs associated with the operation of the Dial-A-Ride Program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
Town Hall Parking Lot Reconstruction Project:
Application to the State of Connecticut: LoCIP Funds
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED that Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to make application to, and execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents as may be required by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management to secure Local Capital Improvement Program funds (LoCIP) in the amount of $115,000.00 for the Town Hall parking lot, Phase V.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
The Chair requested a list of LoCIP accounts that show a surplus of monies which will be used for the Town Hall Parking Lot Reconstruction Project.
Revision of the 2013-2014 through 2017-2018 Adopted Capital Improvement Plan
re: Town Hall Parking Lot Phase V
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Barbara Rossi
that the capital improvement item #2014-291 in the amount of
$115,000 for Phase V of the Town Hall Parking Lot Reconstruction
project be added to the existing 2013-2014 through 2017-2018
Adopted Capital Improvement Plan.
Motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Eric Thompson asked if something could be done to better inform the residents of the Silver Lane corridor of events that will be held at Rentschler Field which would affect the flow of traffic in the area. Mayor Leclerc stated that it would be difficult to limit traffic impacts from Rentschler Field, since Silver Lane is a major artery in East Hartford. She said that having the event posted to the website and doing a bit more publicity would help notify the public of upcoming events. Chair Kehoe suggested that the managers of Rentschler Field erect a sign which would advertise future events at that site.
Esther Clarke inquired on the money allocated to the construction of the new senior center and if it could be used for upgrades to the existing senior center. Mayor Leclerc stated that the Legislature did change the bond wording to allow for use of some of the funds for upgrades to the existing senior center, but it still must go onto the state’s agenda for funding. Her administration is compiling a list of upgrades and the cost of such upgrades, to submit to the state for their approval. Councillor Clarke said that she’s been told that the stoves do not work. Mayor Leclerc said that she had never been notified of this but that safety rules may restrict who can use them.
Pat Harmon (1) reported that there is a large advertising sign on the corner of Silver Lane and Roberts Street. Mayor Leclerc indicated that the advertising company had been notified. (2) reiterated that there are 4 manholes on Oak Street and 2 manholes on Brewer Street that are below grade and need to be realigned. Tim Bockus, Public Works Director, will contact AT&T on the Brewer Street manholes and MDC on the Oak Street manholes. (3) asked that a police officer be assigned to EHHS in the morning due to significant traffic jams that occur when children are being dropped off to attend school. Mayor Leclerc will speak with the Police Chief on this. (4) the “No Truck Traffic” sign posted on Naubuc Avenue is not working and a police officer should be assigned there to deter large delivery
trucks assumingly delivering goods at stores located at Putnam Plaza. Mayor Leclerc will speak with the Police Chief on assigning an officer to this area to better assess the problem.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Workers’ Compensation Claims: Trent Reopell
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to accept the Corporation Counsel’s recommendation to fully and finally
settle all Workers’ Compensation claims brought by former Town
employee, Trent Reopell, for the total sum of $125,000.00.
Motion carried 8/0. Abstain: Horan
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Travis Simpson, 119 Naubuc Avenue, agreed with Councillor Harmon on the truck traffic on Naubuc Avenue, and noticed that it is mostly trucks going to Putnam Bridge Plaza from High Street.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:02 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on October 1, 2013.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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