Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
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 6:30 p.m. in the Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2010 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to move Special Presentations prior to Public Remarks and to add an item to Special Presentations for a police commendation to Jeff Leith. Voted (6-0).
Special Presentations
HEARTSafe Presentation
Kate Morris of the East Hampton Volunteer Ambulance Association introduced Gary St. Amand from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Mr. St. Amand provided an overview of the HEARTSafe Community Program, which is designed to promote and recognize the efforts of local municipalities to provide improved cardiac response and care to its residents. East Hampton has been designated a HEARTSafe Community. The town was provided a certificate and 10 street signs noting the HEARTSafe designation.
Police Commendation
Lieutenant Michael Green presented a Letter of Commendation to Jeffrey Leith. Mr. Leith rushed to the aid of Jacob Plude after he had been involved in a serious motor vehicle accident and was trapped inside his burning vehicle. The commendation letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Public Remarks
Cynthia Abraham, 47 Clark Hill Road, commented on the relocation of the Town Hall Annex departments, noting that the Goff House is not an appropriate site and noted many issues related to the location.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented on Section 2.2 of the Town Charter related to the duties of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, provided comments on the following items: she suggested that the Council go out on weekends and meet with their constituents; she would like an update on the 3rd party bus company report; she asked about the plan for finding a new Town Manager; she asked who authorized the Chairperson to give Mr. O’Keefe $170,000 when he resigned; she spoke about 1st amendment rights related to public remarks on the agenda; she felt that the police officers at the recent Council meetings were intimidating to her; she also asked what other plans are in the works to cut costs.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked if the Council believes that they can return to business as usual. She commented on items not included on the agenda.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, agrees with what was said tonight. She asked the Council to consider a noise ordinance.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented on an email sent from John Tuttle to Melissa Engel and Jeffery O’Keefe that included derogatory remarks toward Ms. Wasilewski.
Bill Marshall, Fairlawn Avenue, commented that Mr. Tuttle should apologize to Ms. Wasilewski.
Ruth Tegge, 5 Niles Street, asked when Mr. Drewry would have a decision related to the Police Chief.
Dale Maynard, 24 Quiet Woods Road, spoke about the differences between a corporation and town government. He addressed ongoing issues of the town noting that town boards and town departments need to be reviewed. He noted the town needs to move from an amateur mode of management to professional.
Mike Bloch, 31 Cone Road, commented that the Council should find an appropriate location to hold Council meetings where there is room for everyone to be seated.
Old Business
Discussion & Approval of Employee Handbook
The Council reviewed changes and additions to the Employee Handbook as suggested by the Town’s insurance carrier, CIRMA. The council members discussed additional changes. All changes discussed will be integrated into the handbook as well as all changes suggested by CIRMA. The updated pages will be reviewed at the next Council meeting.
New Business
Approval of Sale of Retired Vehicles/Equipment:
A recommendation was made that the Town sell retired vehicles and equipment through an online auction service GovDeals.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the sale of retired vehicles through the online auction service GovDeals. Voted (6-0).
Discussion of DEP Marine Enforcement:
Mr. Drewry reviewed information received from resident, Roy Duncan, regarding support from the Department of Environmental Protection for enforcement of laws on Lake Pocotopaug. Mr. Drewry spoke to Captain Lewis from the Marlborough DEP office. Mr. Drewry and Lt. Green will obtain some preliminary information and will schedule a meeting with Council.
Report of Interim Town Manager
The Korean War Veteran ceremony sponsored by the Secretary of State’s office will be held on Monday, November 22nd at 3:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Mr. Cordeiro will ask High School student Taylor Casey to sing the National Anthem at the ceremony.
The annual lowering of Lake Pocotopaug will begin on Monday, October 25th. It will be noticed in the local newspapers and on the town website.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the appointment of Eleanor Wood to the Regional Mental Health Board. Voted (6-0).
Mr. Drewry asked the Council if they want to proceed with the workplace complaint investigation against Mr. O’Keefe. An executive session will be scheduled to review all pending litigation and to get an update on the workplace complaint progress.
A meeting will be held the week of October 18th regarding location options for the Town Hall annex departments.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
None
Bids & Contracts
None
Appointments
Appointment to Board of Finance
Ann McLaughlin provided a letter to the Council suggesting that appointments to boards and commission be noticed in the newspaper.
A resignation letter was received from Judy Isele from the Board of Finance. The Republican Town Committee recommended Maria Peplau. The Democratic Town Committee recommended David May. If other Council members have a recommendation they should submit the resume to the Council members and the Town Manager’s office. The appointment will be made at the next Council meeting.
Financial Statements and Transactions
None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $540.23. Voted (6-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Coming Up
Executive Session regarding pending litigation; Defined Contribution Plan; Annex Relocation; STEAP grant update; Noise Ordinance
Thanks were given to those who assisted in the STEAP grant process.
Public Remarks
Dale Maynard, Quiet Woods Road, commented on the employee handbook noting it is not user friendly, it should be reviewed by all department heads for sign off and there should be a centralized policy and procedure system.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the process should be concluded for the work environment complaint.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented on when people knew about the removal of the Chief.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, thanked the Council for putting a Noise Ordinance on the next agenda for discussion.
Cynthia Abraham, Clark Hill Road, noted that a date should be obtained from CL&P as to when the departments need to vacate the Annex.
Steven Lockwood, Beechcrest Drive, noted road and sidewalk issues around the High School and the condition of swings at Sears Park. He commented that there is no upkeep or maintenance in town.
The Council will get an update from Keith Hayden at the first meeting in November.
Jill Perruccio, 52 Wangonk Trail, asked if the town is going to confirm if complaints can be released through Freedom of Information.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the purpose of the handbook is to provide the policies of the town but that employees understand the policies.
Lisa Michaud, 271 Young Street, commented that the employee handbook should be reviewed every couple of years.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
