East Hartford Town Council
Town Council Chambers
January 7, 2014
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi, Minority Leader Esther B. Clarke, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia, Patricia Harmon and Anita D. Morrison
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
Anthony “Tony” Kayser
MOTION By Ram Aberasturia
seconded by Esther Clarke
to adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, Anthony “Tony” Kayser served the community of East Hartford for 44 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission until his recent passing, 28 of those years as Chair of the Commission; and
Whereas, under Tony Kayser’s leadership, the Planning and Zoning Commission has a reputation of fairness, equity and integrity; and
Whereas, Tony Kayser brought to the Commission his broad building and construction expertise from his professional experience; and
Whereas, Tony Kayser’s service as the Commission Chair is unparalleled in length of time and in quality of leadership and a testament to his personal sense of fairness and thoughtfulness; and
Whereas, Tony demonstrated the same intense level of commitment and dedication to his family and his church, selflessly providing guidance and setting high standards; and
Whereas, Tony also had a passion for the Boston Red Sox and the University of Connecticut basketball teams.
Now therefore be it resolved that Mayor Marcia Leclerc and the East Hartford Town Council offer their sincere appreciation to Tony Kayser’s family for his incredible record of service to our community. And to put it in the baseball terms that Tony so dearly loved: Tony Kayser singles to left field, advances to second on a bunt by his son, Rick - moves to third on a hit from his daughter Elisa- and, with his wife Lynn’s hit up the middle, Tony – with the wonderful help of his family – is safely home. Godspeed, Tony.
Motion carried 9/0.
Prior to the vote, the Chair called for a moment of silence to honor the life of Tony Kayser. Then, each Councillor, along with the Mayor, spoke to the impact Tony made in their lives – both personally and professionally. The Councillors and the Mayor expressed their condolences to Lynn Kayser, Tony’s wife, who was present in the Chamber.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Leclerc, (1) stated that the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, that is in the process of being updated, will feature an acknowledgement of Tony Kayser’s dedication to the town of East Hartford; (2) announced the swearing in of Scott Sansom as the new Chief of Police on January 2nd; (3) attended the recent Connecticut River Academy ribbon cutting, along with Chair Kehoe and Councillor Clarke; (4) has begun the budget process with the Directors; (5) stated that the library is doing well in its temporary location; and (6) the Brian Aselton Snow Dash was a success.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 10, 2013 Executive Session
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Pat Harmon
to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2013 Executive Session.
Motion carried 9/0.
December 10, 2013 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2013 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 9/0.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Responses to Questions Asked of Administration – Board of Education’s Policy for the Disposition of Furniture
Chair Kehoe reviewed the responses from the Mayor:
(1) BOE disposition of furniture – Al Costa, Director of Facilities for East Hartford Public Schools, responded in a memo that no furniture was being sold at the East Hartford Middle School. The books and equipment was obsolete and being recycled.
(2) North-end Senior Center closing – the Mayor wrote that, while the non-profit North-end Senior Center organization struggles with getting volunteers to assist with their programs, the Remington Road facility is not closing.
(3) Message Parlors – there are three “spas” in East Hartford – all in compliance with the town’s ordinances and operating under the state health professional licensing requirements. Based on a complaint to the Health Department, the EHPD conducted an investigation and did not find any conduct in violation of the town’s ordinance.
NEW BUSINESS
Transfer of Capital Improvement Project Funds re: EHHS Tennis Court Repairs
MOTION By Barbara Rossi
seconded by Linda Russo
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the East Hartford High School Tennis Courts which are coming to the end of their life expectancy; and
WHEREAS, added funding will allow all eight High School courts to be brought into playable condition.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that Marcia A. Leclerc, Mayor of the Town of East Hartford, is authorized to amend the Town Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the purpose of transferring $81,500 from the McAuliffe Tennis Court Repairs Project (CIP #2012-301) to the Replacement of Tennis Court Surfaces at East Hartford High School Project (CIP #2014-301), and to execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all documents, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the state Office of Policy and Management as they pertain to these projects and the state Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP).
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Brownfields Assessment Program
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Ram Aberasturia
to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made funds available for the assessment of environmentally compromised properties, known as Brownfields; and
WHEREAS, these assessments are a necessary step in the remediation and redevelopment of these properties; and
WHEREAS, cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED; That 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, contracts, and amendments as may be required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as they pertain to this Brownfields Assessment Program.
On call of the vote, motion carried 9/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Pat Harmon (1) remarked on the great progress being made with the installation of solar panels at Norris School; and (2) noted cases of books, furniture, and office equipment being disposed of at the East Hartford Middle School and asked if she could obtain a copy of the inventory list for these items. Mayor Leclerc said she would attempt to get the list or suggested that Councillor Harmon contact the Chair of the Board of Education, since the Board oversees this.
Barbara Rossi asked what the status is of the structure at 118 Main Street where there had recently been a fire. Mayor Leclerc said it was scheduled for demolition and the owners had applied for the appropriate permits and the Historic District Commission review for demolition.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
None
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Virginia Lynch, 77 Chapel Street, Secretary of the Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities, noted that a Councillor raised questions regarding the Commission’s gift card donation program. She explained that the Commission annually provides holiday food baskets but decided a supermarket gift card would be more helpful. The Social Services Department determines who receives donations to various individuals by the Commission.
Susan Kniep, Olde Roberts Street, (1) spoke to the role of Town Council liaisons to various town agencies; and (2) talked about the Kahoot’s liquor license which was turned into the State Liquor Control Commission and then reissued.
Mayor Leclerc announced that the Board of Education will contribute $15,000 toward the repair of the tennis courts, and possibly another $10,000 from a USTA grant. Along with the transfer approved earlier this evening and other sources, the total budget for the tennis court repairs is $307,500.
Chair Kehoe (1) explained that there are two permits in question regarding Kahoots: one is a permit from the town to run a sexually oriented business – which is before the Town Council in the form of an appeal of its denial due to late filing – and one is a liquor license which is a permit from the state; (2) ran in the recent Brian Aselton Snow Dash, which was well attended despite the cold weather; (3) attended the Connecticut River Academy Magnet School and shares in Mayor Leclerc’s position that the state should provide additional resources for the town’s public schools on par with those provided to magnet schools.
Marc Weinberg acknowledged Barbara Rossi’s birthday on January 10th and wished her well.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Esther Clarke
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (9:01 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
The Chair announced that the next special meeting of the Town Council would be on Tuesday, January 14th. The next regular meeting will be January 21st.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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