Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman Thomas Cordeiro and members, Christopher Goff, Scott Minnick, 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.
Not Present: William Devine
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting of February 5, 2009, the Town Council Public Hearing of February 10, 2009 and the Town Council Regular Meeting of February 10, 2009 as written. Voted (6-0).
Student Reports:
Eric Harper, High School, reported that the representatives of the CIAC have been examining sports programs at the High School. A drama production, A Wind Behind the House, will be held on March 6th and 7th. A fundraiser for multiple sclerosis was held at the last pep rally. Winter sports are wrapping up and the teams did very well. Spirit Week was held prior to vacation. The school is preparing for CAPT testing starting the first week in March.
Brandon Goff, Middle School liaison, reported that the Pennies for Patients campaign ended with the collection of over $2,000 for leukemia and lymphoma. The girls and boys volleyball teams have started their season strong. The teachers attended technology based workshops prior to the vacation week. CMT testing is coming up and a CMT Pep Rally will be held to kick off the testing. After the CMT’s are over there will be an open recreation afternoon with a variety of activities held for the students. Five students will be representing the Middle School at the Southern Regional Middle School festival. Ms. Engel also noted that Brandon Goff will be doing some reporting for East Hampton Report.
Mr. Tuttle suggested that a letter be sent to the Middle School commending them on the $2,000 raised during Pennies for Patients.
Special Presentations:
Introduction of New Director of Community and Environmental Planning: Mr. O’Keefe introduced Kerry Nielson, the new Director of Community and Environmental Planning. She will be starting on Monday, March 2nd. Mr. O’Keefe reviewed Ms. Nielson’s background. Ms. Nielson thanked the Council for welcoming her and commented that she is looking forward to starting work.
Public Remarks:
John Ciriello, 30 Childs Road and Chairman of the Lake Commission, reported that there will be a Lake cleanup on April 25th. The Lake Commission would like the support of the Council. He noted that Hale Brook was dredged but was disappointed that the Lake Commission was not notified that the dredging was taking place. He met with the new Public Works Director, Keith Hayden, about projects in the watershed.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, commented that he met with Keith Hayden regarding Quiet Woods Road issues. Mr. Sanicki commented that funds are made available for other projects but funds cannot be made available for road work. Mr. O’Keefe noted that Mr. Hayden prepared a letter to Mr. Sanicki regarding the plan for each issue on the road.
Bill Reardon, South Main Street, commented on the South Main Street project and the stress test on the wells in that area.
Nelson Maurice, Mallard Cove, asked about the progress on the interviews for the Commission on Aging. Mr. Goff noted that the sub-committee hopes to complete the interviews on Tuesday, March 3rd.
New Business:
A. Approve American Distilling Easement and Schedule Town Meeting: Vincent Susco, Public Utilities Administrator, reviewed the easement needed for the installation of a standby generator that is required as part of the Marlborough Wastewater project. The Planning & Zoning Commission gave its approval under CGS Section 8-24 and the Board of Finance approved the following resolution: Resolved: that the Town of East Hampton enter into a Permanent Easement Agreement with Edward C. Jackowitz for a Permanent Easement over a portion of the property located at 31 East High Street, East Hampton, CT, the purpose of said Permanent Easement being for the Town’s installation and maintenance of a standy-by generator and related equipment necessary to
power the Town’s existing wastewater lift station located adjacent to the area of the Permanent Easement, and that the Town of East Hampton-WPCA pay the sum of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) to Edward C. Jackowitz in return for said Permanent Easement. A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the easement and set the Town Meeting date of March 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the East Hampton High School. Voted (6-0).
B. Sunset the Lake Implementation Task Force: A motion was made by Mr. Minnick, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to sunset the Lake Implementation Task Force. Voted (6-0).
C. Review Proposed Redevelopment Agency Ordinance and Schedule Public Hearing: Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the proposed changes to the Redevelopment Agency ordinance to create the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency. The members of the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency will consist of the current members of the Redevelopment Agency and the members of the Brownfields Steering Committee which include Scott Bristol, Ron Buccilli, William DeMore, Mary Ann Dostaler, Carla Sylvester, Kay Willson and Dan Wolfram. They will be a full 7 member board. On July 1st they will have election of officers for the new board. A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to schedule a public hearing on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 6:00pm to discuss changes to the
Redevelopment Agency ordinance. Voted (6-0).
Old (Continued) Business:
A. Approve Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance Change: The Council discussed the proposed ordinance changes. Mr. Cordeiro made a motion to table the approval of the ordinance then later rescinded the motion. Through consensus of the Council, no action was taken on this item.
B. Street Name Clarifications: A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the spellings for the roads listed below. Voted (6-0)
Collie Brook Road
Day Point Road
Spellman Point Road
A record of the spelling clarifications will be placed on the land records and the street signs will be corrected.
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reported on the following:
A presentation and Public Hearing will be held on April 14th for the Community Development Block Grant process. Discussion will include the closeout of the previous grant and options for new projects. The application is due by May 29th. Information will be provided to Council members for the objectives of the grant.
The Lake Commission has requested that $10,000 be transferred from their budget to the town’s funds for an engineering study for the dredging of Christopher Pond. This item will be brought to the Council at the next meeting.
The celebration honoring World War II veterans will be moved to a weekend in May rather than it being held on a weekday.
A meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 27th with the Town Engineer, Director of Public Works and the homeowner on Pinebrook Road regarding options for the bridge on Pinebrook Road. Work is currently underway for a temporary fix on this road.
Meetings have been held regarding the opening of Main Street Bridge. Plans are being worked on to allow a footpath for pedestrians.
Mr. Cordeiro noted that it is difficult for him to attend the Capital Improvement Committee Meetings. He asked that another Council member attend these meetings due to his work schedule. Ms. Weintraub can attend the meeting scheduled for February 26th.
Mr. Minnick asked for an update on the 3 Walnut Avenue/Water Tower property grant. Mr. O’Keefe will prepare an update.
Appointments:
Mr. Goff reported that at the last meeting there was discussion on an ordinance regarding term limits. In researching this ordinance from 1990, it was determined that the ordinance was repealed in 1992. The appropriate documentation will be forwarded to General Code to have the code book updated.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to reappoint the individuals listed below. Voted (6-0).
Building Code Board of Appeals
Freidrich Hecht - December 31, 2013
John Youngs - December 31, 2013
Housing Code Board of Appeals
John Hanson - December 31, 2013
Northern Middlesex County Cable TV Advisory Council
Gary Aubin - June 30, 2009
Liaison Reports:
Mr. Tuttle reported that there will be a Clean Energy Expo on March 21st at St Clements Castle from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Mr. Tuttle will be doing a 15 minute update on the work of the Clean Energy Task Force.
Ms. Engel noted that the Water Development Task Force will meet on Friday. The Facilities Implementation Task Force will be meeting on Thursday and a presentation will be given by Friar Associates at the March 10th Council meeting.
Ms. Weintraub reported that the Housing Authority paid their PILOT in the amount of $11,006. They are currently reviewing their bylaws. There was a presentation by an elderly housing non-profit management company to assist with the property that had been earmarked for congregate housing. The State of Connecticut is trying to get 700 elderly citizens that are in nursing homes back into congregate and assisted living programs.
Ms. Weintraub reported that the Conservation Commission had a presentation by Emily Wilson from UCONN who informed the commission that the DEP Office of Land Acquisition and management has seasonal staff available to help with open space inventory research. Also Jim Gibbons from UCONN will be attending the Conservation Commission’s March meeting to discuss how to formulate a policy for fee in lieu of open space.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations: None
Financial Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $6,892.76. Voted (6-0). There was a question regarding two large refunds for overpayments to a real estate tax service. The Council will be notified of the response to this question.
Bids and Contracts: None
Communications and Announcements:
The Tri Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
The Board of Education adopted their budget at their last meeting. Mr. O’Keefe will check with the Superintendent to see what items were cut.
Mr. Cordeiro received a letter from Comcast related to videotaping the Council meetings. Volunteers will need to be trained to tape the meetings.
More information will be forwarded regarding the Mother Board meeting tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 12th.
The CDBG Presentation and Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 14th prior to the Council Meeting.
There will be a GIS presentation and a Facilities presentation at the March 10th Council meeting.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the policy for the news website links being placed on the town website. At this time there is no policy. By consensus of the Council, the links to the news sites will be taken down.
Public Remarks:
Brian Pulaski, Quiet Woods Road, commented that the curb was knocked out by the plow and water is now running into his property. He would like this repaired.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the Community Development Block Grant is a great opportunity for the town. She asked if the purpose of the public hearing is to bring new ideas to the table and how will this opportunity be communicated. This can also be discussed at the Mother Board meeting.
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, welcomed Kerry Nielson and commented that she looks forward to working with her.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Voted (6-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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