Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
East Hampton High School Auditorium
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle and 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: William Devine
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: ~Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ~
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010 as written. Voted (5-0-1). Mr. Tuttle abstained as he was not present at the meeting.
Public Remarks:
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented against the removal of Chief Reimondo. She discussed additional costs for boating, navigation, the Goff House and Parks & Recreation and where that money will come from.
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, commented her disappointment in six members of the Council. She feels the Chief should be returned to work, Mr. O’Keefe put on administrative leave or fired for cause and that the council with the exception of Ms. Weintraub should resign.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the oath taken by the Town Council and that it is not being upheld. She spoke against the Council’s actions in the removal of the Chief and the sexual harassment claims. She feels the Council, other than Sue Weintraub, should resign.
Rick Walker, 69 Collie Brook Road, questioned the attendance of the town manager and two staff members at a conference in New Orleans.
George McFatter, 27 Country Lane, asked how a town water project can be recommended. He also asked why the Town Council ignores their constituents.
John Hines, 38 South Main Street, questioned the timing of the water system and the cost of the water system.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the sexual harassment allegations and the removal of Chief Reimondo. He noted that it is not about politics but about ethics.
William Dinunzio, 40 Spice Hill Drive, commented that he attended the budget meetings that had very small attendance and the budget issue with the police department was never discussed at those meetings.
Dan Pellegrino, Nutmeg Lane, commented that terminations due to budgetary issues are always out in the open. He feels the Council needs to fix the situation.
Tim Cavanaugh, 202 Hog Hill Road, spoke against the actions of the Town Council and Town Manager.
Al Vela, 12 Tarragon Drive, commented that he hopes the Town Council will consider what is being said tonight.
Sam Moyers, 13 Maple Street, spoke against the handling of the sexual harassment complaints, the firing of the Chief and the water system.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, commented that the process used to fire Chief Reimondo was incorrect.
Janice Cavanaugh, 204 Hog Hill Road, commented that she approves of the Town Council’s decision and noted her issues with Chief Reimondo.
Officer Mark Pekar, 26 Raymond Road, commented that working on the police force he knows their schedule is tight. Most of the towns used for comparison are covered by State Police. He also noted the police vehicle maintenance issues and the overtime required to complete their jobs daily.
Jon March, Mountainview Road, spoke against the termination of the Chief and supports the Police.
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub to add an agenda item to discuss ending Chief Reimondo’s administrative leave and reinstate him back into the East Hampton Police Department where he belongs. There was no second to this motion.
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub to add an agenda item to eliminate the position of Town Manager due to anticipated budgetary reductions in 2011-2012. Jeff O’Keefe can resign or be fired for cause; a management tribunal can direct day to day operations in the interim. This tribunal can consist of the Finance Director, the Public Works Director and the Police Chief. There was no second to this motion.
Old Business:
Approve Changes to the Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule:
At the Public Hearing prior to this meeting, James Carey, Chief Building Official, reviewed the language changes to the Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule. The item currently listed as “Application for Active Adult, etc” would be changed to Application for multi-family, Active Adult and HOD”.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the proposed language changes to the Planning & Zoning Fee schedule. Voted (6-0).
Update on Negotiations for Goff House Purchase:
Mr. O’Keefe provided an overview of the negotiations for the purchase of the Goff House. The purchase price is $150,000 plus incidentals. A title search is being conducted by the Town Attorney. Research is also being conducted to insure that the portion of the Goff House that was paid for by grant funds would not have to be paid back. A letter is being sent to the Department of Economic & Community Development to confirm that a change of ownership is allowed. Mr. O’Keefe noted that revenue will be able to be generated through Park & Recreation programs and other programs that are currently run at the Goff House. The Town currently pays approximately $60,000 per year in rent for the annex. Mr. O’Keefe noted that Facilities Manager Frank Grzyb was pleased with the air conditioning,
electricity etc. in the building.
Discuss and Adopt Employee Handbook of Policies & Procedures:
A draft of the Employee Handbook was provided to the Council. The document will be reviewed for possible adoption at the August meeting. If changes are recommended, the Council should provide the information to Lisa Seymour by August 1st. The document has been reviewed by the labor attorney and any suggested changes will also be reviewed by the labor attorney.
New Business:
Discuss Changes Proposed by the Boating & Navigation Task Force and Set Public Hearing Date:
Rich Norkun, Chairman of the Navigation Task Force thanked everyone that worked on the task force. Mr. Norkun noted that the current ordinance is good but needs enforcement. There are some minor wording changes as recommended by the Department of Environmental Protection Boating Division to make them uniform throughout the state. The DEP did recommend quiet hours but the Navigation Task Force was not in favor of quiet hours. There will be educational signs placed at the public and private beaches around the lake. The educational information will also be handed out when residents purchase Sears Park Stickers each year. It will be confirmed that DEP has approved the changes proposed.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the language changes to the navigational ordinance as presented by the Navigation Task Force, pending DEP approval. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to set the Public Hearing date for August 10, 2010 for the proposed ordinance changes, pending DEP approval. Voted (6-0).
Approval of Town’s Investment Policy as Recommended by the Board of Finance:
Jeff Jylkka, Finance Director, provided an overview of the Investment Policy Statement as recommended by the Board of Finance. Mr. Jylkka thanked the Board of Finance for their work on the statement. The Investment Policy Statement will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve the Investment Policy Statement as presented. Voted (6-0).
Award Contract for Initial Water Supply Plan as Required by State Statutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Moore, to award the bid to Milone and MacBroom, LLC of Cheshire, CT to perform the Town’s Water Supply Plan update and Sabotage Prevention and Response Plan. Voted (6-0).
Report of the Town Manager: ~~
Mr. O’Keefe reported on the following:
- Congratulations to John Tuttle and the Clean Energy Task Force. The town has officially qualified as a clean energy community.
- Two individuals have been reappointed to the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency: Kay Willson through June 30, 2015 and William DeMore through June 30, 2014.
Ms. Weintraub noted that she received calls from the media and residents regarding press releases from the Town Manager’s office regarding the termination of Chief Reimondo and the appointment of an acting Chief. She questioned the information in the press releases and also questioned who wrote them. Ms. Weintraub also expressed her concern of Lieutenant Green’s supervisory capabilities and past violations against him. Mr. O’Keefe noted that he is comfortable with Lt. Green handling the day to day operations of the police department. Ms. Weintraub reviewed communications between the Town Manager and the Council from August, 2009 through July, 2010 and is concerned that she is not being kept in the loop. Ms. Weintraub has asked to FOI all emails and text messages from all accounts including the Blackberry
with the Council members, council members and consultants.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations: None
Bids and Contracts: ~ None
Appointments: ~
Ms. Engel requested that communication be sent out to the individuals listed below to request members for the Water Development Task Force:
- Matt Walton or his designee to fill the vacancy left by Judy Isele as a representative from the Board of Finance
- Ray Zatorski or his designee as a representative from the Planning & Zoning Commission
- Ted Hintz – to confirm his position as the citizen at large
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to correct the ending date for the Commission on Aging members from April 30th to December 31st as listed below. Voted (6-0).
Nelson Maurice – 2010; Pauline Simko – 2011; Ann McLaughlin – 2011; Lance Johnson – 2012; Mary Jo Shafer – 2012.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to appoint the individuals listed below to the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission. Voted (6-0).
- Gina Ritchie from an Alternate to a Full Member with a term through December 31, 2014
- Charles Roberts to fill the vacancy of a Full Member with a term through December 31, 2011
- Colleen Mellen to fill a vacancy as an Alternate with a term through December 31, 2010
- Demian Battit as an Alternate with a term through December 31, 2014
Financial Statements and Transactions: ~ None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $386.51. Voted (6-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements:
The tree at the library will not be cut down.
Thank you to Don & Phyllis Martin for the $1,200 donation for the flags for the telephone poles throughout town.
Public Remarks:
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, commented that the Council represents the public and they were voted in by the public and she expects the utmost respect from the Council.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, submitted the letter from Melissa Engel, John Tuttle, Thomas Cordeiro, William Devine, Christopher Goff and Barbara Moore that was submitted to the Middletown Press on July 7, 2010 into the record of the Council minutes.
Sue Fielding, 11 Lake Drive, thanked the Police department for being on the lake to save her son-in-law in the spring and also some others that have been saved from the lake.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, asked about the status of the third party inspection of Nichols Bus Service. She also addressed the items that Ms. Weintraub tried to bring to the floor. She thanked Ms. Weintraub for her work.
Valerie Hill-Baker, 9 Lena Lane, noted her concern on the failure of the Town Manager to present adequate support for his statements. She would prefer he provide written evidence of various state agencies on items.
William Dinunzio, 40 Spice Hill Drive, asked if the draft copy of the employee handbook will be available to the public for inspection.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the FOI concerns on the agenda of the executive session prior to the regular meeting regarding the voluntary layoff. She noted her concern that Ms. Weintraub is not treated as an equal member of the Council and noted ICMA ethics guidelines.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, asked if the Navigation ordinance deals with noise during the winter related to snowmobiles on the lake. She asked about enforcement of the navigation ordinance. She also feels the Town Manager should be on a paid leave of absence and the Chief should be reinstated.
Reserved: ~None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
