Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle, Council members Thomas Cordeiro, William Devine, Christopher Goff, Barbara Moore 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 6:35 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Devine, to move Item D of New Business immediately following Public Remarks and then to move Old Business prior to remainder of New Business. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of December 8, 2009. Voted (7-0).
Student Council Report:
Brandon Goff from the Middle School reported the following:
- Several students from the Middle School attended a Leadership Conference at Quinnipiac College in Hamden.
- Pennies for Patients begins in February.
- Basketball and cheerleading are almost finished for the year.
- Volleyball will be starting soon.
- The band and chorus concert will be held at the High School tonight, January 12th.
Eric Harper from the High School reported the following:
- The Senior Dinner was held on December 10th at the Glastonbury Country Club. A majority of the class attended. The night was filled with food, dancing and an outstanding slide show. Teachers as well as administrators were in attendance to make for a fun and memorable evening.
- The High School is preparing for the week of mid-terms from January 19th through the 22nd. Students will be tested on all the material covered up to this point in their classes.
- National Honor Society donated money to the town Food Bank before Christmas to help them in their drive to give toys and food to needy families.
- There is a music department concert on January 14th. The concert will consist of a compilation of band, jazz band, choir and specialized choirs.
- On January 22nd there will be a preliminary eighth grade orientation. They will be lead by students picked by the guidance department. This date was chosen as the high school students will be done with mid-terms. The orientation gives a preliminary layout of the building and the specialized classes.
- January 25th is the start of the second semester and the mid way point in the year.
Public Remarks:
Paul Windrickowicz, a mail carrier in town for 18 years, noted his complaint about the condition of the sidewalks after a recent storm.
Item D of New Business was conducted at this point as Mr. Cordeiro needed to leave the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Discussion of Proposed Budget Calendar and Budget Philosophy: Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the Budget Calendar for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year. Mr. Cordeiro and Ms. Moore worked together to draft the Budget Policy Statement. Mr. Cordeiro reviewed the changes that were made as compared to last year’s statement. The Council discussed additions and deletions to the document. Mr. Cordeiro will incorporate the changes into the document and the Budget Policy Statement will be voted on at the beginning of the Tri-Board Meeting in January.
Mr. Cordeiro excused himself from the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Public Remarks continued:
Ron McCutcheon, Long Hill Road, read a letter into the record from Margaret McCutcheon Faber regarding proposed changes to the Middle Haddam Historic District boundary map and the removal of attachment 211. A copy of the letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Lois McCutcheon, Long Hill Road, read a letter into the record regarding the Middle Haddam Historic District Ordinance Attachment 211 listing of homes in the district. She would like to see the listing remain in the ordinance. A copy of the letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Lance Q. Johnson, 204 Hog Hill Road and Vice Chairman of the Commission on Aging, noted Senior Center Director JoAnn Ewing’s recent Humanitarian Award.
Old Business:
Discussion of Disabled Veteran’s Property Tax Exemption Ordinance and Schedule Public Hearing:
The proposed ordinance would be for Veterans who have received financial assistance for specially adapted housing under the provisions of Section 2101 of Title 38 of the United States Code and has applied such assistance toward the acquisition or modification of such dwelling.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Devine, to send the Ordinance Creating a Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veterans with a change to include a 5 year residency requirement to a Public Hearing. Voted (6-0). The Public Hearing will be held on January 26, 2010 prior to the Regular Council Meeting.
Review Findings from Town Attorney on Proposed Ordinance Change for Middle Haddam Historic District and Schedule Public Hearing:
The Council reviewed the town attorney’s legal opinion on whether or not removing the historic properties listing in the current ordinance would have any impact to those property owners. The Council also reviewed the new boundary map from Applied Geographics utilizing the new GIS system. Concerns were raised over the boundary line being listed along the shore of the properties as opposed to in the center of the river. Mr. O’Keefe will obtain more information from the State of Connecticut that will be presented at the January 26th meeting on the boundaries as they relate to the shore or the center of the river.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to schedule the Public Hearing on the revised ordinance for the Middle Haddam Historic District on February 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Voted (6-0).
Adoption of Resolutions for Charter Revision:
The Council reviewed the resolution to commence action to amend the Town Charter. Ms. Moore and Ms. Weintraub would like the commission to have a membership of seven rather than five. Ms. Engel noted the members of the commission would be herself, Mr. Tuttle, Dave Balthazar, Terry Concannon and Julie Ciucias. Ten applications were received from residents.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Devine, to adopt the resolution to commence action to amend the Town Charter of the Town of East Hampton. Voted (4-2). Ms. Moore and Ms. Weintraub against.
The Council reviewed the second resolution defining the charge of the Charter Revision Commission and appointing members to the commission. Ms. Weintraub suggested some additional items be added to the charge including the sections on petitioning, the indefinite term for the Town Manager, zoning regulations and term limits for elected officials.
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to accept the resolution with the addition of Ms. Weintraub’s suggestions. Voted (6-0).
The organizational meeting of the Charter Revision Commission will be Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
New Business:
2010 Sears Park Decal Fees:
Ruth Plummer, Director of Parks & Recreation, presented a proposal from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board that the Sears Park decal fee for automobile parking be waived for the 2010 season to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the park. Annual revenue would be impacted by approximately $11,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to waive the Sears Park decal fee for the 2010 season. After further discussion, the motion was rescinded. The item will be placed on the agenda again for the first meeting in March as there will be a better handle on the upcoming budget at that time.
Discussion of Possible Sidewalks Maintenance Ordinance:
Keith Hayden, Director of Public Works, reviewed a recommendation that the Town Council discuss and ultimately adopt a sidewalk ordinance eliminating the town’s liability for personal injury or property damage caused by snow or ice on the public sidewalks in town. Sample ordinances from other towns were presented. Discussion included the current equipment used by the Public Works Department to clear the sidewalks, whether sidewalks that are currently cleared by the town would continue to be cleared by the town and processes in other towns. A draft ordinance will be presented at the February 9, 2010 Town Council Meeting.
Discussion of Possible Land Acquisition at Corner of O’Neill Lane and Old Marlborough Road:
Jim Carey, Building, Planning & Zoning Administrator, provided an overview of a piece of property at the corner of O’Neill Lane and Old Marlborough Road that is proposed to be deeded to the Town. The property would be restricted by deed to remain undeveloped. The property could possibly be used for storm water management.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub to refer the matter to Planning & Zoning for an 8-24 review and to Board of Finance for consideration. Voted (6-0).
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the following:
- Diane Bohmiller has been appointed to the Economic Development Commission.
- Peter Dombrowski has been appointed as a Constable.
- He will be meeting with the First Selectmen of Portland, Marlborough and East Haddam to determine the location of the Probate Court.
- Applications were received for the appointment to the Central Regional Tourism District from Jack Solomon, Kim Fontaine and Tom O’Brien. Mr. O’Keefe and the Council agreed that Tom O’Brien would be appointed.
- A reminder, the first Let’s Talk forum will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Library.
- He and Shelley Green of the Nature Conservancy will be filming an episode of the Get Real Show on Comcast.
- A Tri Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 27th at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Library.
- A Mother Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 17th at 6:30 pm.
An inquiry was made about the sign for the corner of Route 66 and Main Street. Mr. O’Keefe noted it is at the Public Works garage.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the noise issue at Angelico’s. Mr. O’Keefe reported they are waiting for Mr. Angelico to come back to Planning & Zoning with revised plans.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations: None
Bids and Contracts: None
Appointments: None
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $2,956.00. Voted (6-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Ms. Engel reviewed a letter sent from John Ciriello to the DEP regarding why the town should not receive a 319 grant. Mr. O’Keefe sent a letter to DEP in response to this letter.
Mr. O’Keefe reported that the new combined probate court is looking for a name for the new court.
Mr. Tuttle requested a letter be sent to John Fidler congratulating him on receiving the Outstanding First-Year Principal of the Year Award.
Ms. Engel requested letters be sent to all that applied for the Charter Revision Commission.
Public Remarks:
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, asked about the progress on noise control at Angelico’s. She noted that the original request was for a town wide noise ordinance. She also commented on the Council priorities already being set in stone with no input from the community.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, is in favor of taking the liability for sidewalks off of the town. He noted it is very common in many towns for the responsibility to lie with the adjacent property owner. He also commented on boat noise on Lake Pocotopaug that can be heard in Whispering Woods.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that she feels it is unfortunate that the Council did not take the suggestion from Ms. Moore and Ms. Weintraub to increase the Charter Revision Commission to 7 people. She feels the public should have had more input on what that commission will be researching. She feels Ms. Engel and Mr. Tuttle should not be a part of that Commission.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Devine, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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