Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Council members Thomas Cordeiro, William Devine, Christopher Goff (arrived at 6:45 p.m.) and Susan Weintraub. ~Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: John Tuttle and Barbara Moore
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: ~Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of February 23, 2010. Voted (4-0)
Student Council Report:
Eric Harper from the High School reported the following:
- The High School will be holding a blood drive for the Red Cross on March 12th. Please sign up to give blood and or donations to the Red Cross on that day. The blood drive will be held all day and walk-ins are perfectly acceptable. Please don’t hesitate.
- On March 17th the National Honor Society will be hosting a Walleyball tournament for a good cause that will be determined at a later meeting of the National Honor Society. Walleyball is an East Hampton High School traditional sport combining elements of racquetball and volleyball into an epic battle for victory.
- Spring sports start soon. East Hampton High school baseball, softball, tennis, golf and outdoor track and field would graciously invite citizens to come watch the games or meets and cheer on our town.
- Connecticut Aptitude Performance Tests (CAPT) have been held over the last two weeks for sophomores. These are a series of tests that assess the schools and students knowledge that they should have achieved at this time.
- The Winter Sports Banquet will be held next week where the Girls Indoor Track team will be awarded a banner for their victory in the Shoreline League Championships; winning by a considerable lead over the second place team.
- The drama production Ten by Ten, a series of ten short plays that tell moral messages will be performed by the drama department on March 19th and 20th. The performance is open to the public and the drama department would encourage anyone who wishes for a cultured evening out.
Chairperson Engel announced that Eric Harper, our High School representative, has been accepted into the Air Force Academy as a member of the Class of 2014. Only 1,500 of 10,000 applicants are accepted. Eric received a round of applause and standing ovation. He will also be receiving his Eagle Scout award next month.
Special Presentation: The Town Council presented a proclamation to Dennis Erickson for his work in supporting the Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veteran’s ordinance. Mr. Erickson received a round of applause and a standing ovation.
Public Remarks:
Tom Wells, North Main Street, commented that he is disappointed that all of the Council members were not in attendance at the public hearing. He reviewed the cost of plowing sidewalks for residents compared to the cost to the town. He is in favor of a fire district tax type system. He noted it is difficult to clear the sidewalks after the trucks plow the roads.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, spoke about a noise ordinance. She reiterated the request for a noise ordinance from the petition that was submitted last year. She noted a noise ordinance would be a plan for future noise issues.
John Hines, South Main Street, supported the comments of Mr. Wells on the sidewalk clearing and commented on the costs listed on the agenda item. He thought an additional tax was a suitable compromise for those in the areas of the sidewalks.
Bonnie Sweet Reilly, 41 Lake Boulevard, asked what the residents need to do to convince the Council that a town-wide noise ordinance is needed.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that if the Council goes forward with the sidewalk ordinance as it is stated, there should be a phrase included to state no more sidewalks will be added to the list.
Tom Wells, North Main Street, commented on motorcycle noise on North Main Street and noted a noise ordinance is essential.
Ms. Engel noted that motorcycle noise is a Department of Transportation issue, not something that would be covered by a noise ordinance. Ms. Weintraub will bring information to a future meeting regarding motorcycle noise.
Old Business:
Revisit the Plan of Conservation & Development Implementation Table:
The Council reviewed the implementation table from the Plan of Conservation and Development. The Planning & Zoning Commission has asked all boards to review the listing for tasks assigned to them. Mr. O’Keefe will highlight items that have been completed and will prioritize the remaining items. The updated listing will be placed on a future Council agenda for review.
Review, Discuss and Possibly Adopt Sidewalk Ordinance:
The Council discussed the sidewalk ordinance as proposed and reviewed the comments made during the public hearing. There was discussion of the precedent set in the past by clearing the sidewalks and the possibility of adding a tax to residents in the areas of sidewalks.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve the Snow and Ice on Sidewalks ordinance with the deletion of Starr Place from the list of sidewalks to be maintained. Voted (3-2) Mr. Cordeiro and Ms. Weintraub against. The motion does not pass as four affirmative votes are needed to adopt an ordinance.
New Business:
Receipt of Executive Summary of Town Manager’s Proposed Budget Submitted to the Board of Finance: Mr. O’Keefe reported that the Town Manager’s budget is now in the hands of the Board of Finance for review and to make any changes they deem appropriate. The Board of Finance must submit the budget to the Town Council by April 13, 2010.
Discussion of Town Council Media Relations Policy:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed sample media relations policies as was requested by Council at a prior meeting. The Council discussed what type of policy they feel is necessary and what should be included in the policy. It was determined that a municipal communications policy dealing with communications out to residents, media relations, the town website and Facebook is needed. Also a website usage policy should be included.
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the following:
- The next Let’s Talk East Hampton will be held on Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30 p.m. at the Middle School Library. The topic is Community Master Plan.
- Mr. O’Keefe met with Jim Carey, Paul Angelico and Mr. Angelico’s sound engineer to review the plans sound mitigation for outdoor entertainment at the restaurant. Mr. O’Keefe also received a letter from Mr. Angelico outlining the actions underway. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
- Jim Carey was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the CT Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies.
- The Town of East Hampton has been named as one of the two pilot towns by the Nature Conservancy.
Ms. Weintraub asked that the Town Manager get information from the Superintendent of Schools about the recent article in the newspaper regarding bus company violations and follow up on bus driver manuals after the child was left on the bus earlier in the school year.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations: None
Bids and Contracts: None
Appointments:
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Devine, to appoint Deb McKinney to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board with a term through December 31, 2011. Voted (5-0).
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Devine, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $3,776.90. Voted (5-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the packet of communications provided to the Council members.
Ms. Engel reviewed a petition that was provided to the Town Manager and the Board of Finance regarding the request for a full time assistant at the Senior Center.
Public Remarks:
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked about town projects in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill. At a prior meeting there were questions about several tax refunds that were missing information – she asked if that was corrected. She asked if Scott Minnick was interviewed for the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board vacancy. She also asked why the vote was held on the sidewalk ordinance tonight when the Chair noted a vote wouldn’t be held.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, commented that if the sidewalk ordinance comes back for another vote, he suggested looking at the radius near the schools for safety purposes.
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, commented that Mr. Minnick would not have been able to serve on Parks & Recreation for two years following a Council term. She also congratulated the town on being chosen as a pilot town by the Nature Conservancy.
Ted Morton, 36 Walnut Avenue, commented that not adopting an ordinance because it cannot be enforced is a bad reason. He thought just the threat of being in violation may deter people.
Matt Walton, 19 Sherry Drive, commented that for him motorcycles are quality of life. He commented Mr. Angelico is trying to fix the problem at the restaurant. He also commented in favor of the sidewalk ordinance.
Irene Curtis, 13 Wangonk Trail, condoned the letters to the Rivereast attacking meeting attendees.
Tom Wells, North Main Street, commented that motorcycles don’t need to be noisy.
Bonnie Sweet Reilly, 41 Lake Boulevard, asked if noisy motorcycles are covered through DOT, does that include noisy boats? She also asked how the sidewalk ordinance, if passed, would be enforced.
Ted Morton, 36 Walnut Avenue, commented on noisy motorcycles. He also suggested Mr. Angelico go to the neighbor’s homes and give him perspective on the music level.
John Hines, South Main Street, commented that there are two sides to all issues and there should be middle ground to benefit everyone. He agreed that residents in the areas of sidewalks should pay extra for that service.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, asked if Mr. Angelico’s plans will be reviewed by Mr. Cote. She also asked what the residents can do to convince the Council that something needs to be done about the noise.
Mr. O’Keefe provided follow-up to public comments:
- The Transportation Reauthorization bill expired in October, 2009 but was extended 6 months and there are still two projects in the system.
- Being a Pilot town with the Nature Conservancy means funding for special professionals that specialize in preserving and managing watersheds. The professional can assist with consulting for planning & zoning and inland wetlands.
- Mr. Angelico’s engineer will review his plans, there is no plan to have Mr. Cote review the documents.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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