Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 28, 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 Interim Town Manager Robert Drewry, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: Council Member William Devine
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Auditorium.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2010 Special Meeting as amended. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2010 Special Meeting as amended. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2010 Special Meeting. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2010 Special Meeting as amended. Voted (5-0-1). Mr. Tuttle abstained as he was not present at the meeting.
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to add Communications and Correspondence and Public Remarks following Tax Refunds. Voted (6-0).
Continued Business
Approve Amendment to Chapter 109 of the Town of East Hampton Ordinances to Abolish the Position of Chief of Police and to Restructure the Police Department:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the amendment to Chapter 109 of the Town of East Hampton ordinances to abolish the position of Chief of Police and to restructure the Police Department. Voted (5-1) Ms. Weintraub against.
Prior to the vote, the Council provided their comments on the motion.
Mr. Tuttle reviewed long term savings for the community noting that restructuring always comes at a cost in the short term.
Mr. Cordeiro discussed the savings for the town and the end of stimulus funding next year. He noted that if the teachers had not opened their contract for savings in the budget, the budget would most likely have not passed and department cuts would have been made.
Ms. Weintraub reviewed Jeff O’Keefe’s severance package and employment contract. She feels that if the ordinance is approved tonight it opens the town up to litigation. She commented on Attorney Sommaruga’s actions on various cases. She feels the ordinance is illegal and the town charter would need to be revised to change the ordinance. She noted there are no provisions in the severance package to protect the town. She does not support the changes to Ordinance 109.
Mr. Goff commented that some members of the community feel intimidated by some people in town and that there are more supporters of the Council than spoke tonight. He is in favor of the ordinance change.
Ms. Moore thanked the employees of the Town Hall for the work they have done this summer amidst the issues. She is grateful for the employees.
Public Remarks on Items 5 through 9 only
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that the residents should be able to comment on any items they choose and not be restricted to certain items on the agenda.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented against the ordinance change.
Ben Hall, 134 Lake Drive, commented against the removal of the Police Chief.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented against the ordinance change.
Patrick Barber, 4 Town Farm Road, asked if Freedom of Information rules have been reviewed with Town employees.
Report of Interim Town Manager
CL&P Annex: A letter has been sent to CL&P to exercise the hold over clause in the contract that could allow the Town to remain in the Annex until approximately March 31, 2011.
Goff House: The State of Connecticut has requested an appraisal on the Goff House. It has not been determined if the Town can purchase the Goff House. The Town could possibly do a lease-purchase. Mr. Drewry will schedule another tour of the full Goff house property.
Senior Center Expansion: The Facilities Manager is waiting to receive the mechanical drawings from the architect. When received, the drawings will go to L. Wagner and will then be put out to bid, hopefully by the second week in October. The bids should be returned approximately 4 weeks after being sent out.
Memorial School Roof: Eight Request for Qualifications have been received. The Facilities Manager is reviewing them to narrow them down to four companies. A Request for Proposal will then be sent to those four companies.
Amphitheater: CLA Engineers is looking at the overall park design which will include the amphitheater.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to add Appointments to the agenda following Public Remarks. Voted (6-0).
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Adopt Resolution for Homeland Security Grant Application:
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve the resolution to authorize the Interim Town Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Town for the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Voted (6-0).
Bids & Contracts
Award Contract for Energy Management System/Temperature Control System at the Library/Senior Center:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to award the contract for the Energy Management System/Temperature Control System for the Library/Senior Center to the lowest qualified bidder, CT Temperature Controls, LLC, in the amount of $57,950. Voted (6-0).
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $1,392.37. Voted (6-0).
Communications & Correspondence
Mr. Tuttle provided an overview of a new program that the Clean Energy Task Force is participating in with approximately 14 towns for communicating energy savings to residents. There will be a kickoff meeting in January.
Mr. Goff reported that he has reconnected with the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the usage and access to the Fireman’s Grounds.
Public Comment
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the need for space for town departments from the Annex and utilizing space that the town already owns. She asked for an update on the oil spill near the Village Center.
Donna Daly, 119 Main Street, thanked the Council for volunteering their time. She commented that the town charter changes should go to a referendum.
Kim Page, 99 Midwood Farm Road, commented that the charter change should go to referendum.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, commented that if grant funds are made available to the town, the town should be sure that there are funds available to sustain the project after the grant funds run out.
Debra Devin, 27 Sillimanville Road, commented that the residents need more information so they have a better understanding of the issues and maybe a 10% cut across the board would help.
Mr. Drewry responded to the question regarding the oil spill near the Village Center. There were approximately 125 gallons of oil spilled. DEP expects a minimal impact to the area.
Appointments
Mr. Cordeiro noted that Helene Rosenblatt was originally appointed to the Arts & Cultural Commission but she has determined that she will not be able to serve on that Commission. He would like to appoint Elizabeth Sennett of the Art Association to the Commission.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to accept the resignation of Helene Rosenblatt from the Arts & Cultural Commission and to appoint Elizabeth Sennett to the Arts & Cultural Commission. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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