Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 28, 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 (entered meeting at 6:55 p.m.), John Tuttle and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of Boards and Commissions, citizens and members of the press.
Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairperson Engel reported that there will be another special meeting on Thursday, October 30th regarding the Belltown Place litigation.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of October 14, 2008 as amended. Ms. Weintraub asked that the wording be changed under Skate Park Location Assessment Report to indicate that improvements to Sears Park may include a skate park, it is not definite. Voted (5-0-1) Mr. Tuttle abstained as he was not in attendance at the last meeting and Mr. Minnick had not yet returned to the room after the special meeting.
Special Presentations: None
Public Remarks:
John Hines, South Main Street, asked for an update on the Main Street Bridge. Mr. O’Keefe noted that it should be complete by December 5th but the road may be passable by the end of November. Mr. Hines also commented on the development on South Main Street and hopes that the town is looking to address future concerns.
Rob Lazor, South Main Street, commented on Belltown Place and commented that the developer is not following the normal procedures. Mr. Lazor also commented that a future skate park should have guidelines for rules and safety.
Student Reports:
Brandon Goff, Middle School liaison, reported that the Halloween Bash for the 6th graders will be held on Friday, October 31st from 2:35pm to 4:00pm. The 7th and 8th Grade Dance will be held on November 14th. Soccer and cross country are ending their seasons.
Eric Harper, High School liaison, reported that the Student Council is holding a blood drive on November 17th. The East Hampton Girls Cross Country team won the Class SS State Championships on Saturday, they are the first team to win a state championship since 1992. The Boys Cross Country team came in 4th in the championship. The Girls volleyball team has had a great second season. Last year was more of a training and learning year. The Boy’s soccer team is in the shoreline tournament and will be playing Wednesday and if they win they will proceed to the shoreline championship game on Friday. The school ran a “peace” program during advisory where all the homerooms made pinwheels that symbolized unity toward peace in the world. There will be a “Mr. Bellringer” competition. It will be like a Miss America pageant where a group of men will be dressing up and answering questions. All the proceeds are given to the East Hampton Food and Fuel banks. The East Hampton Model United
Nations went to the UCONN Model United Nations Conference on October 16, 17 and 18. The group did well and had a lot of fun at the conference.
The Council would like to recognize the Girls Cross Country team at an upcoming meeting.
New Business:
- Senior Tax Initiative: Chairperson Engel reviewed a tax freeze program for elderly homeowners age 70 and above that would freeze their current taxes and the increase in taxes over the years would be deferred and paid back with interest upon the sale of the property or settlement of the estate. There was discussion on the required number of years of residency. The draft ordinance will be written with the length of time of 1 year and 5 years and will be discussed during the public hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to send the tax freeze program ordinance for elderly homeowners to a public hearing. Voted (7-0).
- Workforce Housing Grant Opportunity: James Carey, Building Official, reviewed the Workforce Housing Grant opportunity which would provide funding to study the issue of affordable housing, specifically as it presently exists or may be encouraged in the Town of East Hampton. The study would provide analysis of existing land use and infrastructure issues and would provide the Planning & Zoning Commission specific information as to where and how effective inclusion of affordable housing can be achieved. The resolution would also need to be approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Also, the town is under no obligation to take any specific action in order to receive this grant funding and can back out at any time, without penalty. The Planning & Zoning Commission is obligated only to consider the
creation of one or more Incentive Housing Zones, as they, and only they, see fit. A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Minnick, that the East Hampton Town Council adopt a resolution that authorizes Jeffery O’Keefe, East Hampton Town Manager, to submit a grant application under the Housing for Economic Growth Program referenced in Section 8-13(m-x) of the Connecticut General Statutes and hereby authorizes Jeffery O’Keefe, East Hampton Town Manager as the individual authorized to sign the grant application and administer the grant and furthermore the grant application is attached to and made a part of this record. Voted (7-0).
- Fire Department R1 Certification: Mr. O’Keefe and Police Chief Matthew Reimondo reviewed the request that the Fire Department be covered under the Town of East Hampton’s R1 Responder (R-1) license. The state designated R-1 Responder for the Town is presently the Police Department and has been licensed since 1997. There are certain criteria that must be met. The supplemental R-1 designation will provide the fire service with coverage under State regulations for administering patient care at motor vehicle accidents only. The supplemental application which the fire service is processing will proceed through a series of steps from local approval of the primary R-1 license holder, the Police Department, to a regional level, the North Central Connecticut EMS Council, and to final approval from the
State of Connecticut.
Old (Continued) Business:
- Housing Authority Proposal: Chairperson Engel reviewed the request by the Housing Authority that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) be omitted or reduced. The Town does not tax the Housing Authority but receives the PILOT instead. Currently the PILOT is 10% of rent minus utilities. The Council discussed the option of reducing the PILOT. Ms. Weintraub indicated that the reserves will be depleted by 2015. The average income of the residents is $18,000, the average rent is $200 per month, approximately 30% of their income minus medical income. Chairperson Engel would also like to have the bylaws of the Housing Authority updated. A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Devine, that we forgive 50% of the East Hampton Housing Authorities Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) (to 5%) for 2009-2010 to be earmarked specifically for
capital improvements of Chatham Acres and Bellwood Court. The Housing Authority will provide an annual summary of the capital improvements that were made with these PILOT savings to the Town Council. Annually the Council can choose to increase the percentage of the amount of the pilot payment to be forgiven or to leave it as is. Voted (7-0).
- Angelico’s Lighting: Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the background on the lighting in the Angelico’s parking lot. The Council discussed the past efforts to correct the lighting. This matter is being dealt with between CL&P and the property owner in compliance with zoning and lighting regulations.
Report of the Town Manager:
Streetscape: Work began on the Streetscape project on Monday, October 27th. The granite curbing is being installed. It is scheduled to be 90% completed by Thanksgiving. There were questions on the functionality of the LED lights that are planned for the front of the Town Hall.
Flanders Road: The drainage work on Flanders Road is 98% complete. Grading will then be done. The paving will follow after November 17th.
Quiet Woods Road: This project is approximately 15% complete.
Mr. O’Keefe met with Chuck Lee from DEP.
A question has arisen as to the correct name of Spellman Point Road. In some places Spellman’s is used rather than Spellman. Mr. O’Keefe hopes to have a resolution to the question by the next Council meeting.
The town received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District in recognition of our contribution and support of District activities for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
The RFQ’s for the Functional Assessment of Boards and Commission and the Sears Park Master Plan are due in on Friday, October 31st.
The Annual Smart Growth Conference sponsored by 1000 Friends will be held on November 13th in New Haven. The website will be emailed to the Council members.
Appointments: None
Liaison Reports:
Mr. Devine attended the Ambulance Meeting. They still have one opening on their board.
Mr. Tuttle reported on the Water Task Force Meeting. The project in the Village Center is on schedule. The extension of the water line on Skinner Street will follow the Bevin Boulevard work.
Chairperson Engel reported that the Facilities Implementation Task Force met last Thursday and discussed funding options for future facilities. The October 30th meeting will be cancelled. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7th.
Mr. Tuttle attended the Board of Education meeting. The teacher’s contract will be coming soon to the Council for approval. Four students were named National Merit Scholars, Tyler Raddatz, Riley Price, Justin Lafountain and Kyle Doney.
Mr. Tuttle reported that the Clean Energy Task Force met on October 9th and will meet again on November 13th. They will have a presentation from Craig Bradway regarding Memorial School roof and David Hurwitz about wind turbines.
Mr. Tuttle attended the Town Cemetery Board meeting on October 21st. Five flag poles have been donated for the town owned cemeteries from the Lions Club, the Village Lions Club, Mrs. Nikki O’Neill, the Reich family, the Shulman family and the Bernard family. Mrs. O’Neill was also able to get donations of flags from Chris Dodd’s office.
Ms. Weintraub attended the Board of Finance meeting. The Board of Education’s technology team gave a presentation. The school now has 360 new computers. Memorial School has a new computer lab. There is also a new program called COW – Computers on Wheels. The technology team also has programming experience. There was a question from a Board of Finance member regarding where the funds are coming from for the Epoch Arts water extension.
Mr. Minnick spoke about the water extension on Skinner Street. He would like to re-visit this approval. A motion was made by Mr. Minnick, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to add an item to the agenda to reconsider the vote on the WPCA of September 23, 2008. (Voted 2-5) Mr. Minnick and Ms. Weintraub for and Ms. Engel, Mr. Cordeiro, Mr. Devine, Mr. Goff and Mr. Tuttle against.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations:
Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Resolution: Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the resolution and memorandum of agreement for the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security that are needed for Homeland Security grant funds. A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve the resolution and authorize the Town Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Town for the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Voted (7-0).
Financial Transactions:
$45,000 Transfer Request: Chairperson Engel reviewed the request for a transfer of $45,000 from the town contingency fund to the capital reserve fund to be used by the Facilities Implementation Task Force for continued work on the facilities plan implementation. Board of Finance approved this item. This will allow a more detailed description of the three phases being looked at. The Council discussed the plan. A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve the transfer of $45,000 from the Towns Contingency Fund account #01120000-5990 to the Capital Reserve Fund account #01810000-5924 to be used by the Facilities Implementation Task Force for continued work on the facilities plan implementation pending a completed and signed contract. Voted (7-0).
Ms. Weintraub noted that part of the funding is coming from Board of Education surplus. Ms. Weintraub also reviewed wording in the original Friar contract regarding waiving fees. It was determined that the work being proposed is beyond that scope. The new scope of work will be determined.
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $248.96. Voted (7-0).
Bids and Contracts:
Contract Award for Copiers: A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to award the contract for Town Hall copiers to the lowest qualified bidder, A&A Office Systems. Voted (7-0).
Communications and Announcements:
Yankee Magazine: Chairperson Engel noted there was a feature article in Yankee Magazine regarding witch hazel harvesting by Ben Hall and Curtis Strong. The town will inquire about getting permission to have the article on the town website.
Coming Up – Wednesday, November 12, 2008:
Public Notice & Meeting of Epoch Arts Application for EPA Grant Funds
Presentation from Planning & Zoning
Joint meeting between WPCA and Planning & Zoning on November 4th at 7:00pm
The Council publicly recognized Chief Reimondo and his officers for the recent arrests in the three year old murder case of Louis D’Antonio.
Public Remarks:
Mike Petruska, Christopher Road, commented on his concern for the skate park being located at Sears Park especially for the time period when the park is closed after Labor Day.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, acknowledged and thanked Council member Weintraub for the work she put forth on the senior tax freeze, PILOT program reduction and the Home Connecticut program.
Irene Curtis, Wangonk Trail, asked about the MTBE settlements. The Council noted that no funds have been received yet, it is an ongoing court matter. Ms. Curtis also asked about Cranberry Bog and her concern for its condition.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, noted the concern mentioned during the meeting of the Housing Authorities bylaws. Ms. Dostaler asked if the Town Council has bylaws.
Irene Curtis, Wangonk Trail, asked about the road patching in the area of the Marlborough sewer connection. The road in Marlborough is more smooth than the portion of road in East Hampton. Mr. Tuttle noted that multiple crews are working on the road. The entire road will be repaved at the end of the project.
Ruth Tegge, 5 Niles Street, asked if there was any follow up on the private portion of Niles Street and asked about a street light on Niles Street. It was noted that no action will be taken on the private portion of the road, a task force will not be formed and the town attorney will not be included in discussions until after the bridge replacement is complete.
Roberta Fitzgerald, 120 Main Street, commented that there is a parking problem on Niles Street during funerals. Chairperson Engel noted that the issue should subside after the bridge opens because cars normally park further down the street in the gas station parking lot.
Michelle Larson, 6 Niles Street, commented that the street probably cannot be widened anyway due to the location of the houses and wells.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
