Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Vice Chairman John Tuttle and Council Members Chatham Carillo, 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: Chairperson Melissa Engel
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chairman Tuttle called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room at the Town Hall.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2011 Regular Meeting as amended. Voted (6-0).
Public Remarks
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, commented that she felt Sgt. Kelly’s hostile work environment complaint was not handled correctly.
New Business
Report from Planning & Zoning re: Village Center Revitalization Workshop
Ray Zatorski from the Planning & Zoning Commission provided an overview of the Village Center Revitalization Workshop that was held on January 19, 2011. The next step will be another workshop at the Planning & Zoning meeting on February 2nd. In the future they will be looking for Council approval on the concept.
Approval of Legal Notice Language for Interim Town Manager
A draft legal notice was presented to the Council for the Interim Town Manager position. The ending date for the ad was changed from February 16th to February 28th.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the language for the legal notice for the Interim Town Manager position as amended. Voted (6-0).
Update on Progress with Usage of School Buildings by Community Groups
At the last Council meeting, Mr. Cordeiro noted issues with community groups using classrooms in the school buildings. Mr. Goff noted that he spoke to an administrator and meeting rooms and the auditorium can be booked one year in advance. It was explained to him that there were issues at times with groups using classrooms so they are no longer allowing the use of classrooms for meetings. Mr. Cordeiro will have the Arts & Cultural Commission look into this issue as well. He feels there should be a more standardized system for all schools. Mr. Goff will meet with Dr. Golden and Mr. Reich regarding this issue.
Old Business
Update on Watershed Signage
Ms. Weintraub met with Mr. Drewry regarding the guidelines and request form for the wayfinding signage logo. She wants to be sure the instructions are clear to ensure proper use of the logo. It was also noted there could be additional approvals dependent on the sign/banner usage. Once the guidelines and request form are approved by Council, the forms will be sent to boards and commission that may use the logo. Ms. Weintraub spoke to Scott Hill of the Design Review Board and suggested that group could be of assistance for sign approval.
Discussion of Adding Alternates to the Commission on Aging
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to add language to the ordinance for the Commission on Aging to add two alternates with 3 year terms to the Commission and to hold a public hearing on February 8, 2011 at 6:15 p.m. to hear comments on the changes. Voted (6-0).
Report on Hostile Work Environment Complaint
The report from Glenn Coe of Rome McGuigan PC was provided to Town Council members upon receipt by the Town Manager on January 14, 2011. The report became a public document when it was received. Ms. Weintraub noted her concerns on the report and why it wasn’t reviewed by the Council in Executive Session. She feels there should be some resolution for Sgt. Kelly. Mr. Drewry will meet with Sgt. Kelly and the review the findings from the report.
Update on Dog Pound Regionalization
Mr. Goff reported that the Town has not yet received a draft contract from East Haddam. Mr. Cordeiro asked if there are alternatives to regionalizing with East Haddam. He would like to re-open the discussion. Budget information, what has been done to the facility in the past few years and facts on the dog pound need to be gathered and presented at a future meeting.
Update on Noise Ordinance
Ms. Weintraub reviewed a listing of noise that is exempt based on CT State Regulations. She and Mr. Cordeiro will be doing working on testing. Chief Reimondo has tasked Sgt. Green with providing a report based on results from Windham.
Report of Interim Town Manager
Mr. Drewry provided an overview on the Public Works budget. He thanked the Public Works staff for the work they have done in the recent storms. Through January 20th they have spent 81% of their budget on materials and 56% for overtime. The town is applying for federal funding for the last storm.
The quote on the land appraisal for the town cemetery should be in soon.
The bids for the Senior Center expansion were opened today. They will be reviewed and a recommendation will be made at the next meeting.
A new labor attorney has been named – Kainen, Escalera & McHale.
A subcommittee has been formed for the Arrigoni Bridge improvements. Kate Morris from the Ambulance Association will attend for East Hampton.
Mr. Cordeiro asked about spam received on the town email accounts.
Mr. Cordeiro spoke to a citizen that approached Parks & Recreation regarding a 5K ironman race staged in East Hampton. They were told no by the Parks & Recreation Director. He asked Mr. Drewry to see if there was a conflict or why they were not interested.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
STEAP Grant Signature Authorization
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adopt a resolution authorizing Robert Drewry to execute the STEAP grant for the Route 66 Improvements Phase II (Governor O’Neill Amphitheater). Voted (6-0).
Bids & Contracts
Police Cruiser Replacement Bid
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the purchase of two (2) police cruisers from Crowley Ford at $20,1221 per vehicle, which does not include the police lights and fixtures. Voted (6-0).
Appointments
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to accept the resignation of Pauline Simko from the Commission on Aging. Voted (6-0).
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 $43.27. Voted (6-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Barbara Moore attended the Board of Education meeting and noted the Superintendent’s budget shows a proposed 3.8% increase. The Board of Education will have workshops in February.
Coming Up
None
Public Remarks
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, commented that she has requested a breakdown in the Administrator salaries for the Board of Education and has not received any information.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the hostile work environment complaint noting that the report from the attorney was his opinion. She feels the complaint was not properly handled and should have been handled by a Human Resources professional.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, agreed with the comments from Ms. Dostaler on the hostile work environment complaint. She also commented on the noise ordinance and hopes that something will be in place by April 1, 2011.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that he doesn’t see the Town Council ever adopting a noise ordinance. He feels the Council needs to listen to the staff, the Chief and the residents.
Reserved
None
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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