Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Vice Chairman John Tuttle, Council members Thomas Cordeiro, 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.
Not Present: Melissa Engel and William Devine
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Vice Chairman Tuttle called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to move Adoption of Veteran’s Property Tax Exemption Ordinance under Old Business to immediately following Approval of Minutes. Voted (5-0).
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting of January 12, 2010. Voted (5-0).
Adoption of Veteran’s Property Tax Exemption Ordinance:
The Public Hearing for the Ordinance Creating a Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veterans was held prior to the regular meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adopt the Ordinance Creating a Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veterans. Voted (5-0).
Prior to the vote, the Council allowed for public comment on this item as it was moved prior to the public comments on the agenda. Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that she is in favor of the ordinance but questions the 5 year residency restriction. The Council discussed the residency requirements and chose to keep the residency requirement.
Student Council Report: None
Public Remarks:
Margaret Faber, Schoolhouse Lane, read a letter into the record regarding the western boundary of the Middle Haddam Historic District. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, commented on the excessive noise and speed of boats on Lake Poctotopaug. He also noted errors in the numbers in the water connection policy criteria.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that she is disappointed on how the Charter Revision Commission membership was handled. She submitted a letter but was never contacted by anyone regarding her letter. She also noted her concern for the time of the meetings being during the work day.
Richard Norkun, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Chairman, commented that the noise and safety issues on the lake should be reviewed and a quiet time is warranted.
Ron McCutcheon, Long Hill Road, commented on the boundary of the Middle Haddam Historic District noting he feels it should be to the legal line in the Connecticut River. He referred to a document from 1977.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, provided a copy of a letter from Roy Duncan regarding the navigational ordinance, boat noise and quality of life. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the January 21st Let’s Talk Forum was a good meeting. He noted that a Master Plan was high on the list of many residents’ priorities. He commented on the positives of a master plan and feels it is prudent to invest in master planning.
Steve Hawke, Whispering Woods, commented that he is in favor of a noise ordinance for boats as he can hear the boats on the lake at his house.
Phil Wielgosh, 79 North Main Street, spoke about vessel restrictions and quiet hours on the lake. He asked if there is a cost for snowmobiles to enter onto the lake.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, noted that Whispering Woods is approximately 1.25 miles from the lake and the boats can still be heard there.
Nelson Maurice, Mallard Cove, asked if there is a liability to the town for boats and snowmobiles on the lake.
New Business:
Discussion of Vessel Restrictions & Quiet Hours on Lake Pocotopaug:
The Council reviewed the current Navigational Ordinance. Vice Chairman Tuttle suggested creating a Task Force to review the current ordinance and make suggestions for possible changes. Chief Reimondo reviewed the current issues and enforcement on the lake. Chief Reimondo noted that a revised ordinance would need to go through DEP as well as through the Council. Ms. Weintraub suggested researching other lake communities.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Moore, to create a Navigation Ordinance Task Force. Voted (5-0).
Adoption of Water Connection Policy for the Village Water System:
The Council reviewed the water connection policy for the Village water system. The calculation errors were reviewed and corrected. The Council members will review the policy and this item will be continued to the next Town Council meeting.
Old Business:
Discussion on Town Council Priorities based on Input from Community:
Vice Chairman Tuttle provided an overview of the well attended Let’s Talk forum of January 21st. A majority of the categories provided by the community were the same as the Council priorities. There was a great deal of discussion of a master plan. There was discussion as to the definition of master plan to be sure everyone is in agreement. The topic of the next Let’s Talk forum will be Master Plan.
Update on Boundary Lines for Middle Haddam Historic District:
Jim Carey provided an overview of a letter received back from Mary Dunne of the Historic Preservation and Museum Division of the State of Connecticut noting that the Commission could change their boundary to the center of the CT River however the local authority is superseded by the state’s right to a navigable waterway. Her letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. The Council had an extensive discussion of the current ordinance and the proposed changes to the ordinance. All submitted documents will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. This topic will be discussed further at the Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2010.
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the following:
- The regionalized Probate Court will be located in East Hampton. The Food Bank location and the current lease for the Annex will be researched.
- A letter was sent to Paul Angelico regarding his plans for Planning and Zoning.
- At the recent COST conference, Bevin Bell was the sponsor of the town crier award.
- Council member Cordeiro recently created a fan page for the Town of East Hampton on Facebook. Mr. O’Keefe has created a Twitter account, ehtownmanager.
- Mr. O’Keefe was recently appointed to the CORE Commission, the Commission on Regional Efficiencies, where the group will be discussing regionalization.
- An update on the Royal Oaks busing issue was provided. The town was in negotiations with the developer to turn the roads over early but it was not in the best interest of the town. The school system has determined that the students have adjusted to the new bus stop on Smith Street and no changes will be made at this time.
- The Board of Finance will be discussing the Memorial School Roof at their next meeting and will provide a recommendation to Council.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations:
Approval of Historic Document Preservation Grant Resolution:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the resolution authorizing Jeffery O’Keefe to sign documents related to the Connecticut State Library Historic Documents Preservation Grant. Voted (5-0).
Bids and Contracts: None
Appointments:
The Appointments Sub Committee met recently and interviewed several candidates.
An amended motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to appoint the following individuals:
- Richard Dufour, reappointment to the Fire Commission through November 30, 2012
- Elizabeth Mackie, appointment to the WPCA through June 30, 2013.
- Matthew Necci, appointment to the Ethics Commission through June 30, 2014.
- Kevin Kuhr, reappointment as an alternate to the Planning & Zoning Commission through December 31, 2011.
- Darin Hurne, reappointment as an alternate to the Planning & Zoning Commission through December 31, 2011.
Voted (5-0)
The original motion included appointing Meg Wright to the Planning & Zoning Commission alternate position; however, based on a request from Ms. Weintraub, the Appointments Sub Committee will do further interviews before making the appointment for the Planning & Zoning Commission alternate.
Financial Statements and Transactions:
The Council reviewed the general fund revenues and expenditures provided by Jeff Jylkka, Finance Director.
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $690.44. Voted (5-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Ms. Moore suggested nominating Sergeant Michael Green for the Chief Michael L. Green Award sponsored by the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce for the work he has done with the Rotary Club.
Ms. Moore provided an update on Chatham Alliances Resources (CARE). In the past they have provided renovations and a security camera at the bridge, painting at the Company 3 firehouse, the handicap ramp at the Historical Society to name a few. Their new project is restoring the Welcome signs on route 66. The group wanted to ask for the support of the Council in this project. The Council members agreed it is a good project.
The Landscape Committee will be meeting on Thursday, January 28th at 3:00 p.m.
Public Remarks:
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked for an update on the Streetscape signage.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked if the current navigation ordinance is given to residents purchasing Sears Park stickers. She noted the Navigation Ordinance task force should look at quality of life, not just navigation. She also asked if all of the properties on the water line are connected in the village center? How many people are served by each property on the list of possible water recipients? She also noted that the town being more involved in social networking is a great thing. She asked if someone’s job description includes communications. Who will be accountable for the account?
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, asked how the number of gallons per day for the Village water system is derived.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, asked for assistance from Mr. O’Keefe regarding the electric service on Hog Hill Road. The area is served by 2 sub stations and there is an issue with one of the stations. The residents lose power frequently. She asked if there is anything Mr. O’Keefe can do in contacting CL&P.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, thanked Mr. O’Keefe for contacting Mr. Angelico regarding his Planning & Zoning application. She noted quality of life issues near the lake and would like the Council to revisit the quality of life/noise ordinance. She read a letter into the record from E. Timothy Brahaney regarding noise issues at Angelico’s. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Tim Smith, 36 Haddam Neck Road, noted that he is not comfortable with Council members sitting on the Charter Revision Commission.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, asked for an update on the boat storage on Route 66.
Irene Curtis, Wangonk Trail, commented that she does not agree with the choice of members that were placed on the Charter Revision Commission.
Mr. O’Keefe provided responses to some of the questions raised during public comments:
The Water Task Force will discuss meeting at different times other than 7:00 a.m.
The wayfinding signage program is awaiting word from the Department of Transportation.
He will look into providing the navigational ordinance when Sears Park passes are purchased.
The gallons per day of water noted in the Water Connection Policy is derived by a standard formula.
The town does not employ a marketing/communications person. Now that we will be working on the social networking sites the town will look into a communications policy.
He will look into Ms. Wasilewski’s power issue and Mr. Sanicki’s question on the Route 66 boat storage.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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