Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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 Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Tuttle asked for a Moment of Silence to honor two long time East Hampton residents who passed away recently, Robert Heidel and Gary Rioux. He also asked everyone to keep Board of Education Chairman Michael Vasquenza in their thoughts as he will be having open heart surgery on Wednesday, July 15th.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting of June 23, 2009 as amended. Voted (5-0-2) Mr. Goff and Mr. Minnick abstained as they were absent from the meeting.
Public Remarks:
Jim Galvin, Smith Street, commented on loud motorcycles with illegal pipes. He would like to see more police patrols for speed and noise control of the motorcycles.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, read a letter into the minutes regarding the noise at Angelico’s. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. She asked about the meetings with the proprietor of Angelico’s, noise control options, noise complaints received by the police department and the noise meter.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, commented on the bid documents for the Flanders Road No. 2 project and noted his concern of certain line items in the low bid and if the total being paid to the contractor in the end would be more than the bid amount. He also commented on the parking areas in the Sears Park Master Plan.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that she was disappointed not to see an item on the agenda related to Noise Control. She remains concerned about the Sears Park Master Plan moving forward after the survey only had 58 respondents. She feels that there should be more input from the citizens and asked about another survey being done in the summer at the Park.
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, echoed Ms. Wasilewski’s comments on the Sears Park Master Plan. She would like to see the newly formed Conservation-Lake Commission provide their input on the project.
John Moore, 16 Lake Boulevard, provided a history of the area of Lake Pocotopaug and the entertainment in that area in the past from information he looked up at www.pocotopaug.com
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations:
Recognition of Donna Ralston: A proclamation and plaque were presented to Donna Ralston, the town’s Assessor as she is leaving the position after 20 years of service.
Recognition of Michael Scranton: Although he was unable to attend, a proclamation and plaque will be given to Michael Scranton, who has served as the town’s Emergency Management Director for 27 years. He recently resigned from that position.
Adoption of Resolutions: A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Goff, that the Town Council adopted three resolutions authorizing Jeffery O’Keefe to execute and amend contractual documents for the following grants: OPM CT JAG Local Pass-Through Grant, Homeland Security Grant and FY 2009 Emergency Management Performance Grant. Voted (7-0).
Bids and Contracts:
Flanders Road Improvement Project No. 2: Keith Hayden, Director of Public Works, provided an overview of the bids received for the Flanders Road Improvement Project No. 2. He did not have concerns regarding the public comment made on the bid. The only additional dollars that could be added to the payment would be for things that the town may request above and beyond the original contract. The project should begin by the end of July and the contract is for 120 days. A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to award the contract to the lowest qualified bidder, C.A.S. Construction Company, for the Flanders Road Improvement Project No. 2 in the amount of $489,490.00. Voted (7-0).
Exterior Doors & Hardware Replacement at Board of Education Office: Frank Grzyb, Facilities Manager, provided an overview of the bids received for the exterior doors at the Board of Education. Mr. Minnick and Ms. Weintraub inquired as to having mahogany doors rather than another material. Mr. Grzyb noted that they are less expensive than other materials for the type of door that is needed. The doors will be clear sealed. A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to award the contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Steeltech Building Products, for the exterior doors and hardware replacement at the Board of Education office in the amount of $18,698.00. Voted (7-0).
New Business (continued):
Approval of Tax Office Suspense List: Nancy Hasselman, Collector of Revenue, provided an overview of the tax suspense list. The Tax Office has used every search engine available to locate the taxpayers on the suspense list and it is not cost effective to continue to pursue these uncollectible taxes. The suspended taxes are still collectible, however, it is necessary to put them in the suspense book and not incur further costs in trying to pursue collection. A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the tax suspense list and authorize the Tax Collector to transfer these uncollectible taxes to the suspense tax book. Voted (7-0).
319 Grant Application for Lake Improvements: Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the submittal of an Application for a Nonpoint Source Management Project on Lake Pocotopaug and preliminary budget for a grant funded under Section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act. The town recently received the report titled “Use of Lake Loading Response Model, more commonly referred to as the Nutrient Loading Study, prepared by AECOM. A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to authorize the Town Manager to submit the Section 319(h) grant application to the DEP. Voted (7-0). Mr. O’Keefe also noted that he, Kerry Nielson and Ken Wagner of AECOM will be appearing on the Get Real Show on Monday, July 20th.
Old (Continued) Business:
Possible Adoption of the Way Finding Signage Program: Ms. Engel provided an overview of the Public Hearing that was held prior to the Regular Meeting. A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Minnick to approve the logo with the traditional bell and updated ship for the way finding signage signs. Voted (5-2) Mr. Devine and Mr. Goff against. Mr. Goff noted that he does not want to change from the town’s original logo for the signs. Mr. Tuttle asked if there are enough funds available for the signs along the Streetscape area. Ms. Weintraub noted that there are enough funds for the Streetscape area. Mr. Cordeiro noted that he is in favor of the new logo only for the signage program. Mr. Goff is concerned about changes that could occur in the future to the
town’s logo for the letterhead and the seal. Ms. Weintraub commented that EDC and Design Review Board are in favor of the new logo for the signs. It was agreed that the designer would come back to a future meeting with design styles for the date to be included on the bell.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to adopt the way finding signage program as presented by the Streetscape Committee. Voted (7-0).
Adoption of Sears Park Master Plan: Ruth Plummer, Director of Parks and Recreation, reported that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted and approved at their July 7, 2009 meeting to adopt the Sears Park Master Plan, move into the design and funding phase and direct the consultant to optimize the traffic circulation, hard surface configuration and entrance and egress areas to the park. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has requested that the Town Council adopt the Sears Park Master Plan concept and the designers can adjust the design going forward as needed. A motion was made by Mr. Minnick, seconded by Ms. Weintraub to accept the master plan as a living document to be used as guidance in future years for the Parks & Recreation Board and the Town Council. Voted (7-0).
Discussion of POCD Implementation Table Top 10: Mr. O’Keefe reported that he has now received all of the Council members Top 10 priorities. He will email the updated list to the Council members. He will be working with Kerry Nielson to produce a guiding principles document that will presented to the Town in the fall for input and thoughts on what the Town priorities should be. From here a formalized guiding principles document will be developed and will become the document from which Town staff proceeds with to move our town forward.
Report on Princess Pocotopaug Taxing District: Ms. Engel noted that no action will be taken on this item. Mr. O’Keefe reported that a title search is in progress on the properties in the Princess Pocotopaug taxing district. A document was found today that discusses the boundaries including the beach and docks. The Assessor’s office has never collected taxes on the beach area. A survey will be done and if it is found that the Association owns the property they will be taxed on it going forward. The activity within the Princess Pocotopaug Association will only pertain to Council if the taxing district is terminated and the town would inherit 2 beaches, a boat launch and a clubhouse.
Report of the Town Manager:
Ms. Engel provided an overview of the things that Mr. Angelico has done related to the valet parking, lights in the parking lot, lights on the dock, motorcycles and the volume of the bands. Mr. Angelico has now hired an acoustical noise specialist regarding building a 12 foot fence with noise blocking materials included. The fence plan will need to go to ZBA. It was also noted that the Police Department does not have the decibel meter. Jim Carey has it and is working with it to determine some baselines. He does not have a report yet. Ms. Engel asked for patience until the fence can be built.
Mr. O’Keefe reported that an item regarding the Middle Haddam Historic District Handbook will be included on the August 11th agenda. Also some of the items in the Middle Haddam plan prepared by George Selmont will be included on the August 11th agenda.
Mr. Cordeiro inquired about status of the project at the Route 196 and 66 intersection, noting it is a dangerous intersection. Mr. O’Keefe will contact Tim Gaffey from DOT as to the status of the project.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the Pinebrook Road progress. Mr. O’Keefe noted that there is noting new to report. Prior to the next Council meeting there will be a Public Hearing regarding Natural Hazard Mitigation and this area will be added to that list.
Also, prior to the next Council meeting there will be a Public Hearing regarding the Haddam Neck Road project. This project will be put at the top of the town’s list for stimulus funding.
Appointments: A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to accept the resignation of Tom Denman from the Connecticut River Assembly. Voted (7-0).
Liaison Reports:
Mr. Tuttle reported that the Clean Energy Task Force had a booth at Old Home Day. There are now 117 residents signed up for the Clean Energy Options bringing the town closer to its goal. He and Mr. O’Keefe will be meeting with the Town of Portland to discuss clean energy ideas that the towns can work together toward. He and Mr. O’Keefe will also be attending a program regarding stimulus funding in Meriden.
Mr. Goff reported that the East Hampton Little League All Star team has won and will be continuing in the tournament to play in Guilford on Friday.
Ms. Engel met with the Seniors yesterday. They discussed topics ranging from Sears Park to water to parking.
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $164.02. Voted (7-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Ms. Engel asked to have Officer Boynton attend the next Council meeting to congratulate him on his promotion Sergeant.
Ms. Weintraub reviewed a correspondence from Roy Duncan regarding drag boats on the lake. She explained that we do have boating regulations already in place and reviewed East Hampton’s Town Ordinance Chapter 173 “Boating and Navigation” and noted:
173-3 Speed Limits: boaters cannot exceed 6 mph between ½ hour after sunset and 7 a.m. or within 200 feet of shore, a dock, pier, float or anchored boat unless taking off with a water skier.
173-9 Maximum Speed: on Lake Pocotopaug is 40 mph.
173-10 Speed in proximity to other vessels: limited to 6 mph within 50 feet of another boat.
173-15 Penalties for offenses: failing to observe any or all of the regulations shall be fined $60 for each infraction.
Public Remarks:
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, asked if there is a harbor master for the lake. The Council replied that there is only a harbor master on the river. The police handle the lake.
Terry Prestash, 2 West Drive, is encouraged by the proposed changes at Angelico’s. Also she asked if the town is pursuing the issues of illegal motorcycles on our roads.
Mark Johnson, 18 Mohawk Trail, commented that he is the President of the Princess Pocotopaug Association and that the new board is open minded and will try to keep their issues off the Town Council’s agenda. They will be proactive and will move forward and check with the State regarding their taxing district to be sure they are following the proper rules.
Brian Kujawski, 26 Mohawk Trail, commented that the new mahogany doors at the Board of Education will last a very long time.
Kevin Kuhr, 85 North Main Street, asked that if we receive the 319 grant from the State do we then need to allow individuals that are not residents accessibility to the lake?
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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