Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman Thomas Cordeiro and members, William Devine, Christopher Goff, Scott Minnick, John Tuttle and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Interim Town Manager Robert Drewry, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, citizens, members of other Boards and Commissions and members of the press.
Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:57 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
A. Town Council, Regular Meeting, June 24, 2008: A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of June 24, 2008 as written. Voted (7-0).
Special Presentations:
Project Graduation: Mary Lou Vasquenza provided an overview of Project Graduation, the new tradition the parents of East Hampton High School students have undertaken to provide a safe, fun graduation party experience beginning with the class of 2009. Ms. Vasquenza reviewed the fundraisers for the project. She noted that the Board of Education has endorsed the project and asked for the Town Council’s endorsement of the project as well.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations:
A. Project Graduation: A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Goff, that the Town Council endorse Project Graduation and that Chairperson Engel will sign the letter on behalf of the Council. Voted (7-0).
B. Goff House Endorsement: A letter is being prepared to send to Governor Rell and Senator Daily to endorse the Goff House and encourage the placement of the legislative bond authorization for the Goff House onto the Bond Commission’s agenda. A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Devine, to authorize Robert Drewry to sign the endorsement letter on the Council’s behalf. Voted (7-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to amend the agenda to add the elderly transportation resolution to the agenda. Voted (7-0).
C. Elderly Transportation Resolution: The resolution supports the application for a State of Connecticut $25,000 matching grant for elderly and Disabled Demand Responsive Transportation through Middletown Transit District. This is an ongoing program that requires yearly approval from the Town. A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve the resolution for the elderly transportation grant. Voted (7-0).
Public Remarks:
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, welcomed Jeffery O’Keefe and his wife Donna. He commented that he feels the town is in need of leadership. He also commented on the contract for the Town Manager and the cost to the town.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, also welcomed Jeffrey O’Keefe and his wife Donna. She also commented on the contract for the Town Manager and the validity and legality of the contract based on town charter and state statute.
Patricia Gauthier, 6 Old Marlborough Road, welcomed the O’Keefe’s to East Hampton. She also noted that she is in favor of a blight ordinance. She feels it should apply to both residents and businesses.
Old (Continued) Business:
A. Town Manager Update: The Town Manager update was provided at the Special Meeting prior to the Regular Meeting. The contract for incoming Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe was approved.
B. Water Rate Discussion/Decision: Mr. Devine recused himself from this discussion. Vincent Susco, Public Utilities Administrator, reviewed a chart provided to the Council of options for water rate increases for the Village Center Water System. The Council discussed the options provided. A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Minnick, to accept a one year increase of 11.11% for commodity charges and 4.17% for monthly meter charges. Voted (4-2) (Mr. Cordeiro and Ms. Weintraub against, Mr. Devine was recused).
C. Commission on Aging Discussion/Decision: Chairperson Engel distributed a draft ordinance for the Commission on Aging which includes comments from Joanne Ewing and the Town Attorney. Ms. Engel asked that the Council review the document and the item will be discussed at the August 12th meeting to see if it will then go to a Public Hearing.
D. Lake Education & Awareness Update: Chairperson Engel reported that Ruth Plummer, Director of Parks & Recreation, has come up with many ideas for the lake education and awareness program. She plans to have the items, such as flyers, t-shirts, banners and soil test kits, ready for the Annual Boat Parade at Angelico’s in August. She will be reaching out to the Lake Commission, Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands. The Council would like to approve the items before being created and the Council still needs to approve the budget for this program. John Ciriello, Chairman of the Lake Commission, is concerned that the Lake Commission is not involved in this program. A special meeting will be scheduled to discuss this program.
E. Water Development Task Force: Chairperson Engel noted that they are still working on an appraisal. Construction of the Village Center Water System is on schedule.
New Business: None
Remarks from the Chair:
Chairperson Engel remarked on the following:
· Reminder of the land use board meeting on July 22nd.
· The Commission on Aging draft ordinance will be reviewed on August 12th.
· Tax abatement paperwork has been submitted for Theater Square. This item will be discussed on August 12th.
· Peter Bergan has inquired about an ordinance that would make buildings used for farm purposes exempt from taxes. This will be discussed on August 12th. Donna Ralston, Tax Assessor, will be invited to attend this meeting.
· Complaints about police demeanor and attitude have been brought to the attention of Mr. Drewry, Chief Reimondo and Mr. Cordeiro, the liaison to the Police Department. The Chief suggested trainers be brought in from the Meriden Police Academy for community minded training. Chief Reimondo and/or Mr. Cordeiro will keep the Council apprised of the status. Chief Reimondo will be on the agenda on August 12th.
Report of Acting Town Manager:
A. Bevin Dam: Mr. Drewry reported that he is continuing to work with a relative of Mr. Bevin regarding the dam.
B. Streetscape: The Streetscape bids will be opened on Wednesday, July 16th at 10:00am. Approximately 6 firms have taken out plans so far. A solution is still being worked on for the package store parking.
C. Main Street Bridge: There will be a pre-construction meeting on Wednesday, July 9th at 10:00am to discuss road closures and detours. The contract will also be signed at this meeting. Ms. Weintraub asked about the possibility of a temporary footbridge. Mr. Drewry noted that it is not possible.
D. Watrous Street: A temporary injunction was issued in court on Monday, July 7th regarding the Watrous Street property. The property owner has until August 15th to clean up the property. After that date a $50 per day fine will be imposed until it is adequately cleaned up. We have received back legal fees, court costs and sheriff costs.
E. September Grant Opportunity: The STEAP grant application that was submitted for the last round of funding is again submitted for the next round of funding in September. Mr. Drewry will continue be in contact with the State regarding this grant.
F. East High Street Property: The property owner took out a demolition permit and the building should be taken down by July 21st. Until the building is down, the town attorney will be looking into legal options.
G. Other: PILOT Program: Mr. Drewry reported that he found a signed agreement from 1980/1981 that forgave the $3,000 per year sewer use charge, $3,600 per year for 20 years for sewer assessment and $55,823 in taxes. We have already budgeted the $24,000 for this year. Mr. Drewry noted that maybe the $24,000 could be used for programs for all seniors and not just the Housing Authority. He asked that the Council review this item at a future meeting. Chairperson Engel would like to get the financials for the Housing Authority. Mr. Drewry will ask Judie Bobbi to attend the August 26th meeting.
Mr. Drewry distributed a memo to Council from Jim Carey regarding Angelico’s lighting. This will be discussed at a future meeting.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the status of Route 151 traffic calming. Mr. Drewry noted that he did not hear back from the State and will call them. Also Chief Reimondo will be looking into putting a police car in that area for speed control.
Ms. Weintraub noted that she has received several calls from residents near Angelico’s regarding noise from people gathering in the parking lots prior to leaving. Mr. Drewry noted that the police have not received any calls at the time of the incident. Calls have come in the next morning. Mr. Drewry noted that the residents need to call the police at the time of the incident.
Mr. Minnick noted that Mr. Carey was quoted in the paper as being the Town Planner. Mr. Drewry noted that Mr. Carey is the Acting Town Planner. He asked about Mr. Dodes. Mr. Drewry noted that Mr. Dodes resigned.
Appointments: The Appointments Sub Committee has been receiving applications. The ad has been placed in the Rivereast.
Liaison Reports:
A. EDC Report from Connected to Connecticut: The June report is included in the Council’s packet.
John Ciriello, Chairman of the Lake Commission, welcomed the O’Keefe’s to East Hampton. Mr. Ciriello reported that the $50,000 DEP Water Quality Monitoring grant has been approved. He thanked Mr. Drewry and Gail Hamm for their assistance. Mr. Ciriello reviewed graphs that he provided related to phosphorus. There was a question whether we have the permit for a copper sulfate treatment. He reviewed possible grants for the watershed area. Chairperson Engel spoke about the lake education and awareness program. She noted that this new program is more awareness and public relations as opposed to the more scientific education programs that the Lake Commission has held and will hold in the future.
Board, Commission, Agency & Task Force Remarks:
Ms. Weintraub reported that the Skate Park is averaging about 60 children per day based on a sign in sheet that was used.
Financial Transactions: None
Tax Refunds: None
Bids and Contracts:
A. Police Cruiser Bid: Mr. Drewry reported that nine bids were received for the police cruiser. Mr. Drewry recommended that the low bidder, Crowley Ford of Bristol, be awarded the bid for the police cruiser for $19,094. A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to award the bid to Crowley Ford of Bristol for $19,094. Voted (7-0).
Communications and Announcements:
Chairperson Engel reminded the Council of the July 22nd meeting of land use boards.
Ms. Weintraub provided a flyer regarding an Artisans and Farmers Market to be held on the 2nd Saturday of each month for four months at the Middle Haddam Library.
Public Remarks:
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, thanked Mr. Drewry for the update on Quiet Woods Road. He asked that the Council look into what it would take to fix the entire road.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked about the clean energy task force that was discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Tuttle noted that there will be a meeting in late July with the individuals that have expressed an interest in being on the task force. Ms. Dostaler asked if the task force has been formally formed, will applications be filled out and will the meeting will be noticed. The initial meeting will be an informal information session. Since it is a task force no applications are necessary. A listing of individuals will be recommended to the Council. As a courtesy the information session will be noticed.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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