Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman Thomas Cordeiro and members, William Devine, Christopher Goff and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press, citizens and several East Hampton High School American Political System students.
Not Present: Mr. Minnick
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.
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 August 11, 2009. Voted (4-0-2) Mr. Tuttle and Mr. Devine abstained as they were absent from the meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of September 8, 2009. Voted (6-0).
Special Presentation:
Proclamation for Leigh Shearer: Mr. Tuttle read a proclamation prepared in honor of Leigh Shearer, former member of the East Hampton Volunteer Ambulance Association who passed away earlier this the year. The proclamation was presented to Mr. Shearer’s sister.
Public Remarks:
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented on the Town Meeting of September 9th. She was distressed by the occurrences at the meeting.
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, noted that she and Irene Curtis will be the liaisons to Town Council from the Conservation-Lake Commission.
New Business:
Memorial School Roof Replacement and Underground Oil Tank Replacement:
The Memorial School roof replacement and underground oil tank replacement projects are eligible for funding under the school construction grant program. That application would need to be submitted by June 1, 2010. The Board of Finance reviewed the project information and forwarded them on to Council. The Council discussed the possible state percentage reimbursement, roof materials, warranty/insurance on a new roof and “green” options. Ms. Weintraub asked for clarification on the costs listed on the Friar report. Updated figures will be submitted at the next Council meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Goff, to authorize the Finance Director to engage the services of bond counsel to begin drafting the necessary local authorizations for the Memorial School roof and oil tank replacement projects. Voted (6-0). Updated financials will be provided at the next Council meeting.
Capital Reserve Fund Contingency Transfer for the Revaluation of the 2010 Grand List:
A revaluation will be conducted for the October 2010 grand list. There is currently $124,503 in the account for the revaluation. An additional $33,997 needs to be transferred from the Capital Reserve Fund Contingency account to cover the cost. The Board of Finance approved the transfer with a (6-0) vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve a transfer in the amount of $33,997 from the Capital Reserve Fund contingency account to the Capital Reserve Fund Revaluation Project (#13005). Voted (6-0).
Reappraisal and Revaluation of Real Property for the 2010 Grand List:
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve the 2010 Revaluation bid to Municipal Valuation Services, LLC in the amount of $158,500. Voted (6-0).
Old Business:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to add an item to Old Business for the adoption of the Fire Department budget based on the Board of Finance recommendation. Voted (6-0).
Fire Department 2009-2010 Budget:
The Fire Commission had requested an increase of $2,000 for an increase of two hours per week for their administrative assistant. The Board of Finance reviewed the request and passed it with a vote of (4-1-1). The hourly rate remains the same, the total number of hours increases.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to transfer $27,520 from the general fund contingency account to the fire department’s budget and approve the Fire Department’s budget as recommended by the Board of Finance.
Report of the Town Manager:
The Probate Assembly Commission has made their final recommendation for the redistricting of the probate courts in Connecticut. A letter is included in the minutes to the Governor and the General Assembly. A final vote is still to come. Mr. O’Keefe recognized the hard work that Anne McKinney has done to keep the East Hampton probate court east of the river.
It appears the town will be awarded a portion ($200,000) of the STEAP grant that was applied for in February, 2008 for a memorial park in memory of Governor William O’Neill. This will be going to the full bonding commission on September 25th.
Some residents have asked about an ordinance allowing golf carts to be driven on local and state roads in town. The Chief of Police does not support this. By consensus, no ordinance drafts will be brought back to Council on this subject.
On Monday, September 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room there will be a combined Special Meeting of the Town Council, Conservation-Lake Commission and the Inland Wetlands Watercourses Agency. Dr. Ken Wagner will review the report prepared on Lake Pocotopaug and highlight the recommendations.
A lot of road work has been done recently. The reclamation process was done on North Main Street and Chestnut Hill.
Epoch Arts water was turned on today. They are the 30th customer on the village water system.
The Route 66/196 project is included in the State Transportation Improvement Program. It could be eligible in 2010, 2011 or 2012.
There is nothing the town can do regarding the trailers on the property near intersection of Main Street and Skinner Street. This is a commercial/industrial zone. The owners will be requested to clean up the property.
The property owner of the burned building on Route 66 is working to have the foundation removed.
There was a good editorial in the Hartford Courant on the water proposal for the town.
The Economic Development Commission is working on two holiday events, one for Halloween and one for Christmas. The town is working to increase the amperage on the Christmas tree. There is also a plan to create an ice skating area on the Center School grounds.
The installation of videotaping equipment for the Council meetings will occur on September 29th and 30th. Mr. O’Keefe thanked Mr. Cordeiro for his efforts on this project. The equipment was funded through an emergency management grant as town hall is also our emergency management center. The equipment will be able to be used in the event of an emergency.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the following items:
- The job posting for the third part time animal control officer. Mr. O’Keefe noted that the job has been posted.
- JAG Grant – Mr. O’Keefe noted that all towns received funds through formula.
- Dispatcher issues – Mr. O’Keefe had a good meeting with the dispatch office.
- The press release for the State of the Town did not indicate that tickets were not required. Mr. O’Keefe will check on the wording on the press release.
- Asked if Attorney Mike Rose, who was recently appointed to the Conservation-Lake Commission has provided any legal services to the town. To Mr. O’Keefe’s knowledge he has not. Mr. O’Keefe noted that we have many commissioners that do work for the town through their businesses.
- Streetscape light in front of town hall. Mr. O’Keefe reported that we are still waiting for the light bulb but Call Before You Dig has been completed.
- Maintaining grass along streetscape area. Mr. O’Keefe is working with the property owners to create something the owners are comfortable maintaining.
- Request for 12 Month Managers Expense Report
Ms. Engel noted there will be an Executive Session prior to the October 13th meeting for a report on the child left on the bus and the review of a letter from Marty Swan.
Comments on the Commission Handbook should be submitted to Kerry Nielson so that the handbook can be reviewed at the next meeting.
Performance reviews for the Town Manager should be turned in to Lisa Seymour by Friday, September 25th.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations:
Resolution for Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security Memorandum of Agreement: A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, 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 (6-0).
Proclamation for Eagle Scout Alexander Matthew Long: The Council signed the proclamation for Eagle Scout Alexander Matthew Long. Mr. Goff will attend the Eagle Scout ceremony on October 3rd.
Bids and Contracts: None
Appointments: A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to accept the resignation of Alannah Coshow from the Inland Wetlands Watercourses Agency. Voted (6-0).
Liaison Reports: None
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $902.18. Voted (6-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Several documents were available for review by the Council.
Coming Up:
Tickets are available for the State of the Town Address.
The Pumpkintown Prom for breast cancer awareness will be held on October 17th at Angelico’s. This year it will honor Karen Ruel.
The Centennial celebration of the Middle Haddam Library will be held on October 4th at Angelico’s.
The date has been set for the next Energy Expo at St. Clements. It will be held on April 25th and will include all of Middlesex County.
The Middle School student council will soon elect their officers and a liaison will be chosen to provide their report at the Council meetings.
Pantherfest at the Middle School will be held on Friday, September 25th.
Ms. Engel expressed condolences to Christopher Goff and his mother, who was in the audience, on the death of Mr. Goff’s grandfather.
Public Remarks:
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked if the Memorial School roof will qualify for reimbursement if the current roof needs to be on for over 20 years. Were there any considerations for this project for stimulus funding? Also, she asked how the date was chosen for the State of the Town Address as these types of addresses are usually done in January.
Ashley Porter, 45 Colley Brook Road, asked why the discussion of the child left on the bus is being pushed to the next meeting. Ms. Engel noted that the Town Council will receive an update at the next meeting because the Council does not handle that issue. It is handled by the Board of Education, Police Department and Bus Company.
Scott Sanicki, Quiet Woods Road, thanked Jeff for the updates on the Route 66 and Main Street property. He asked when the landscaping will be done on the American Distilling property for the pump stations.
Amy Biaga, 11 Whippoorwill Hollow Road, commented that the town did a wonderful job on Chestnut Hill Road. It seems the roadwork ended at Michael Drive. There are many potholes between Michael Drive and Whippoorwill Hollow. Can that be taken care of?
Mr. Goff commented that if residents see potholes, they should call the Public Works Department.
Mr. O’Keefe responded to the questions from public comments. The Memorial Roof project was not able to be submitted for stimulus funding because it needed state approval first. The date of the State of Town Address was chosen because the town’s fiscal year numbers will be available at that time. The planting at American Distilling have to be approved by IWWA due to the wetland. The property owner is anxious to get the landscaping completed. Mr. O’Keefe will notify Public Works of the potholes on Chestnut Hill Road past Michael Drive.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Voted (6-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
