Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle, Council members William Devine (arrived 6:52 p.m.), Barbara Moore and Susan Weintraub. ~Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Jennifer Magro, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: ~Christopher Goff and Thomas Cordeiro
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: ~Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. ~All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of January 26, 2010 with the following amendments: Page 2, Adoption of Water Connection Policy for the Village Water System, Ms. Weintraub asked if stakeholders had been contacted and suggested that property owners that wished to pay for pipe installation had that opportunity. ~This was stated at the meeting, but was not included in the minutes.
Ms. Engel recused herself and Mr. Devine arrived at 6:52 p.m.
Voted (4-0-1). Ms. Engel abstained.
Ms. Engel put into the record letters that were received from Mr. Hintz, Ned Costello, Doug Mackeown, David Kneeland, Nannette Woodcock all residents of the Middle Haddam district, all letters in favor of the ordinance as proposed.
Student Council Report: None
Public Remarks:
Bill Pound, 18 West Street, commented on the problems with West Street. He presented a letter which will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, thanked Mr. O’Keefe for his assistance with the CL&P issue on Hog Hill which should be corrected by June. As far as the proposed sidewalk ordinance, Ms. Wasilewski agrees that property owners should be liable for their own clearing. She also commented that the town cannot afford to clear sidewalks. In many other towns in Connecticut, the property owner is responsible. She is concerned about the proposed “nuisance” ordinance and the proposed Senior Center project.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, asked if the abandoned vehicles behind the town hall were on Mr. O’Keefe’s list to update.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked why the council wasn’t voting this evening on the proposed Middle Haddam ordinance since there was a quorum.
Bill Pound, 18 West Street, spoke with Keith Hayden regarding possible grant money to repair the streets.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, encouraged the council to vote on the proposed Middle Haddam ordinance. Ms. Dostaler feels there is enough information to make a decision.
Ms. Engel addressed the issued of the proposed Middle Haddam ordinance. Council members Cordeiro and Goff were not present and will be watching the video of this meeting. Town Attorney, Jean D’Aquila, will be back at the February 23, 2010 meeting to discuss and answer questions regarding the proposed ordinance. Mr. O’Keefe reminded that the attendees of the Public Hearing expect the proposed ordinance to be voted on at the February 23, 2010 meeting. The public hearing was scheduled prior to confirming with all council members’ schedules.
Old Business:
Discussion of Draft Sidewalk Ordinance:
Keith Hayden, Public Works, provided an overview of his research of similar existing ordinances. Current cost to the town is $10,000 per year. To continue the current practice, Mr. Hayden expects costs to run up to about $12,000 per year. Mr. Tuttle asked about the overtime of public works employees and the fact that new streets will not add to the overtime. Mr. Tuttle feels the public works will need additional help to avoid overtime issues. Mr. Hayden advised that the main issue is liability. Attorney D’Aquila advised that without an ordinance in place, under state statute, the town is responsible to clear and had a responsibility to clear. There is currently a street ordinance with no mention of sidewalks. The proposed ordinance only discusses sidewalks. The town is responsible
for sidewalks that abut town property or is owned by the State. Mr. O’Keefe commented that Mr. Hayden is doing his job and supports him from a liability standpoint. Attorney D’Aquila stated that an ordinance can be drafted and grandfathers in what the town is doing now and what will be pushed off. There should be a revised draft ordinance to include sidewalk list. Mr. O’Keefe would like to come back to the February 23, 2010 meeting with a revised draft ordinance. Attorney D’Aquila wants the sidewalk list to be very clear. Ms. Engel thinks the triangle and schools should be maintained and wants to see a list of streets. Ms. Weintraub commented that Mr. Hayden advised that the sidewalks will be done regardless once the ordinance is in place. Ms. Weintraub asked how charges will be implemented. Attorney D’Aquila stated that a provision for the town to bill the property owner should be in the ordinance. Ms. Engel asked the council to table this issue to the February 23, 2010
meeting and should be placed at the top of the agenda.
Adoption of Water Connection Policy for the Village Water System:
Mr. O’Keefe provided an overview and indicated that there have been changes to definitions and has clarified the table. If approved, WPCA will be directed to send letters to property owners. To date, no formal offers have been made to property owners. A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Moore to adopt the Water Connection Policy. Voted (5-0).
Adoption of Revised Middle Haddam Historic District Ordinance:
The Council reviewed the revisions to the Middle Haddam Historic District Ordinance and advised that council members will reviewed the video of this evening’s Public Hearing. This item will be continued and voted on at the February 23, 2010 Town Council meeting.
New Business:
Discussion on Possible “Nuisance” Ordinance:
Ms. Engel wants all Council Members present to review this issue. This topic will be discussed further at the next Town Council meeting.
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the following:
- Received a letter from Paul Angelico
- The next tri-board meeting for the budget needs to be scheduled – it was agreed that the meeting will be held on February 24, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- Route 66 update – a new owner took over last year, is renovating and will be bringing a site plan to Planning & Zoning on April 7, 2010; Planning and Zoning directed the owner to do improvements.
- Water Tower, no recent updates, in litigation
- Communications Policy – will put on for the March meeting; Discussion on implementation of Face book webpage.
- In the process of naming members for Navigational Task Force, 7 members total and are looking for 2 more residents around the lake. The task force will need to enforce ordinances. Ms. Engel wants to create a task force to review ordinances, both new and existing.
- Met with Bill Pound and Keith Hayden regarding the West Street road issues.
- Abandoned vehicles are being addressed.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations: ~None
Bids and Contracts:
Architectural/Engineering Services for an Addition/Renovation/Modification to the East Hampton Senior Center
Mr. O’Keefe commented that J Associates Architects has been selected. Mr. Grzyb, Facilities Manager has worked with this company in the past. The owner of J Associates Architects will be the principal on the project. Renderings have been developed already and will be brought into the new project. A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Devine. Voted (5-0).
Appointments: None
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $5,913.88. ~Voted Ms. Weintraub abstained (6-0-1). The council asked for clarification of all refunds.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Mr. O’Keefe commented that the staff is back on track in submitting monthly town hall up to date reports. There are some reports on police activity. A list of projects provided by Congressman Courtney, out of 7 requested town projects, 2 made it into the project. Mr. O’Keefe would like to one council member to Washington to meet with the congressman delegation to discuss the projects.
Coming Up: Ms. Engel commented on the appearance of the “Up to Date” report.
Public Remarks:
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the Middle Haddam District expenditures. Ms. Dostaler asked what discretion commissions have to undertake expenditures. Further comments were made regarding the senior center project and does not recall the council approving an RFP to go for architectural bids. Ms. Dostaler would like to know what role the Town Council has in approving the senior center project.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, commented that each leader should be held accountable.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that she took the time to review all attachments to tonight’s meeting and feels the council should do the same.
Tim Smith, 36 Haddam Neck Road, commented that he came to the meeting tonight and watched many of the issues get table to future meetings. He stated there is a lot going in town and the job needs to get done.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, thinks opinions should not be taken personally and is speaking in the best interest of the town.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, commented on the availability of information and feels the snow/ice removal should be placed on the property owners for liability issues.
Nelson Maurice, Mallard Cove, thanked the council for getting the senior center going. Mr. Maurice suggested providing a budget for a grant writer for the town.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Engel, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Magro
Recording Secretary
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