Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 13, 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 6:37 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairperson Engel announced to the audience that this is the first Council meeting that is being video-recorded and will be broadcast on the Comcast Public Access channel.
A motion was made by Mr. Minnick, seconded by Mr. Devine, to move the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency Brochure and Proposed Redevelopment Zone discussion under Special Presentation. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of September 22, 2009. Voted (6-0-1) Mr. Minnick abstained as he was not present at that meeting.
Special Presentation:
Brownfields Redevelopment Agency Brochure & Proposed Redevelopment Zone: Scott Bristol, Chairman of the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency reviewed a brochure on the work of the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency. The brochure will be used for public outreach programs when seeking grants. Mr. Bristol also provided an overview of the Village Center Redevelopment Zone, which is oriented along Pocotopaug Creek and the Airline Trail. The Brownfields Redevelopment Agency is attempting to identify sources of funding to facilitate the planning process. The planning process will include significant public participation and a formal review by the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Town Council. Connected to Connecticut will assist in the development of the redevelopment zone.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to support the redevelopment zone and the completion of the brochure as part of the outreach program for the Town of East Hampton and that we look to the Economic Development Commission and Connected to Connecticut to assist in the process. Voted (7-0).
Public Remarks:
Everett Breece, Shad Row, commented on his concerns regarding the approval of the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission Ordinance.
Scott Sanicki, Quiet Woods Road, asked if the Redevelopment Zone aligns to the work Planimetrics has done.
Margaret Faber, Schoolhouse Lane, read a letter regarding her concerns about the proposed revisions to the Middle Haddam Historic District Ordinance including removing Attachment 211 “Historical Classifications of District”. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Peter Walsh, Shad Row, commented on his concerns on the removal of the period of significance from the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission Ordinance, noting that he feels his property value would be lowered.
Jane Quinn, Long Hill Road, commented in support of not removing Attachment 211 from the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission Ordinance.
James Royster, Shipyard Road and Chairman of the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission, noted that he does not feel the removal of Attachment 211 from the ordinance will diminish property values. The listing is included in the Middle Haddam Historic District handbook. He noted that all properties in the district are treated equally in requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Ellen Nosal, 152 Main Street, commented on the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency presentation. She is concerned about compromising the homes in the Belltown Historic District. She would like history to be in people’s minds when considering the redevelopment zone.
Ron McCutcheon, Long Hill Road, commented on the Middle Haddam Historic District ordinance and stated that Attachment 211 is a legal document. He feels it should be kept in the ordinance.
Everett Breece, Shad Row, commented on the Middle Haddam Historic District ordinance and feels Attachment 211 should be kept in the ordinance.
James Royster, Shipyard Road, commented that many historic district ordinances from other towns were reviewed and they didn’t include a listing of historically significant properties.
New Business:
Assessment Deferral – 142 East High Street:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the application for the tax deferral for 142 East High Street. The application has been reviewed by EDC and Planning & Zoning. The application followed the procedures put in place in the Assessor’s Office. A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve the tax deferral for two years for Matlor RE LLC owners of 142 East High Street. Voted (7-0).
Board of Education Recommendation for Possible Land Purchase:
Mr. O’Keefe provided an overview of a possible land acquisition of property located near the Middle School. It is thought that the town could purchase the land for athletic fields and to address drainage issues. A current appraisal would need to be obtained. The property does not include the house on another portion of the property. By consensus, the Town Council directed the Town Manager to proceed with scheduling an appraisal on the land abutting the Middle School property and obtain more information on the property.
Discussion on Economic Engines:
Mr. O’Keefe provided a report to the Council on economic engines and financial “leakage” and “retail gaps” existing in East Hampton. The report will be forwarded on to the Economic Development Commission for further discussion.
Old Business:
Approve Middle Haddam Historic District Revised Ordinance & Schedule Public Hearing:
Mr. O’Keefe suggested that the discussion of the Middle Haddam Historic District ordinance be tabled until he has discussions with the Town Attorney on the pros and cons of keeping Attachment 211 in the ordinance.
Review Memorial School Roof Costs:
Updated information was provided to Council on the estimated costs for the Memorial School roof project.
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reported that the Town was awarded the Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $750,000 for the Senior Center renovations.
The Town will be working with the Chatham Health District in the development of the AlertNow System. It is a notification system in case of emergencies. Residents can provide their contact information to be included in the notifications.
A letter was received from Town Attorney Jean D’Aquila outlining changes in her office and a new office location. Attorney Janet Brooks will be establishing her own practice in East Berlin, CT. A new attorney will be joining Attorney D’Aquila in December.
The Governor has signed the bill for the Probate Court System. East Hampton will be combined with Marlborough, Portland and East Haddam. The physical location of the court will be determined.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations:
MTBE Resolution: A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, that Town Manager, Jeffery O’Keefe, is hereby authorized to sign all MTBE settlement documents on behalf of the Town of East Hampton. Voted (7-0).
Bids and Contracts: None
Appointments: None
Liaison Reports:
Ms. Weintraub reported that the Streetscape Committee met with Chief Reimondo and Keith Hayden regarding the placement of the new wayfinding signs. There was also a meeting in Norwich with the Department of Transportation.
Mr. Minnick reported that the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board supports the land purchase near the Middle School. He also reported that the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board has a partnership in the works regarding the Fireman’s Grounds so that the Town would be able to utilize the property.
Mr. Goff attended the Eagle Scout ceremony and presented the Town Council’s proclamation to Eagle Scout Alexander Long.
Mr. Tuttle reported that the Clean Energy Forum that was originally scheduled for October 25th has been postponed until spring. The Clean Energy Task Force will have a forum in November.
Ms. Engel attended the Middle Haddam Library fundraiser at Angelico’s. She attended an FOI hearing regarding the Water Development Task Force. She also attended a meeting in Mr. Susco's office along with members of the Water Development Task Force, Mr. O’Keefe and Steve Messer from the State Department of Public Health regarding suggestions for possible future funding.
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $3,638.69. Voted (7-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Several documents were available for review by the Council.
Coming Up:
October 27th will be the last meeting of the current Council.
The State of the Town Address will be held on Thursday, October 15th at St. Clements.
Public Remarks:
Everett Breece, Shad Row, commented that if Mr. O’Keefe will be meeting with the Town Attorney regarding the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission ordinance, that it would be fair to involve others in the meeting from the historic district. He also commented that the Public Hearing for the historic district should include only those living within the district.
Margaret Faber, Schoolhouse Lane, read a letter concerning moving the western boundary of the historic district. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. She feels this issue should be addressed before the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission Ordinance is approved.
Peter Brown, 76 Barton Hill Road, commented that he disagrees with Mr. Breece regarding only Middle Haddam historic district residents being included in the Public Hearing. He also feels that Ms. Weintraub should recuse herself from the discussion. He does agree that the Attachment 211 should be left in the ordinance.
Nelson Maurice, Mallard Cove, thanked the Town Council, Jeff O’Keefe and the town staff who worked on the Senior Center grant application.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that maybe the town should get an opinion from the State Historic Commission regarding the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission Ordinance on what should or should not be included in the ordinance.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that the AlertNow system should have parameters on the use of the system.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, requested that Council revisit the noise situation that has been discussed since May.
Everett Breece, Shad Row, noted in his earlier comment he meant that the residents of the historic district should be included as well as any other residents that would like to attend.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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