Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: 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 and Vice Chairman John Tuttle
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Council member Goff called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room at the Town Hall.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to nominate Barbara Moore as the temporary Chairman for the meeting. Nominations were closed. Voted (5-0). Ms. Moore assumed the Chairman’s role for the meeting.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Carillo, to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2011 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting as written. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks
Alice Stelzer, 5 Waterview Circle, asked that the handicap parking space in the Town Hall parking lot be replaced as well as two spaces be allotted in the front of the Town Hall so handicapped patrons do not have to deal with the stairs.
New Business
Mr. Cordeiro noted an issue with the audio portion of the DVD recordings of the Council meetings that are broadcast on Comcast. The Town Manager’s office will look into the issue.
Old Business
Approval of Addition of Alternates to the Commission on Aging
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve the amendment to the Commission on Aging ordinance to add two alternates to the Commission. Voted (5-0).
Update on Progress with Usage of School Buildings by Community Groups
Mr. Goff spoke to Dr. Golden regarding the use of school buildings by community groups. She is eager to accommodate the groups but has heard of no issues. She noted that if there is a problem booking a room that the group should call her directly. Mr. Cordeiro is concerned over the loss of the Senior Center Annex meeting room and the Town Hall Annex meeting room.
Update on Noise Ordinance
The Council reviewed a report from Sgt. Michael Green on the Noise Ordinance adopted by the Town of Windham. Ms. Weintraub reported that according to the Department of Environmental Protection, unamplified voices are exempt but unamplified music is not exempt – it is enforceable. At an upcoming meeting, Ms. Weintraub and Mr. Cordeiro will summarize the findings of sound tests they will be conducting. Ms. Moore read a letter into the record from Mr. Angelico’s attorney outlining steps Mr. Angelico has taken to reduce the noise at his restaurant. This letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Wayfinding Signage Logo
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to add Wayfinding Signage Logo to the agenda. Voted (5-0).
Ms. Weintraub provided an updated form and instructions for usage of the wayfinding signage logo. Ms. Weintraub discussed utilizing the Design Review Board in approvals for signage. There were questions as to whether the Design Review Board is still an active board. Mr. Drewry will check into the board’s status.
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to accept the logo guidelines and request form for the wayfinding signage logo. Voted (5-0).
Report of Interim Town Manager
Mr. Drewry provided an update on snow removal. Eight local contractors were hired to assist in widening the roads. The town has applied for FEMA funding. The schools were inspected by a structural engineer. There are no structural problems with any of the school buildings. Snow is being cleared off of the schools, community building and firehouse as a precaution. Sidewalk clearing is also in process.
Mr. Goff commented that an email was received by Council from a fire department member with a concern about the fire department parking areas. Mr. Drewry spoke to the Fire Chief directly regarding any issues.
Mr. Drewry spoke to Ruth Plummer regarding the 5K race that was proposed to Parks & Rec. Mr. Drewry noted that it was a private company proposing the race with at least 300 people attending. There were parking concerns and Sears Park was ruled out as a location. This type of function should be more under town control than a private company.
Several resumes have been received for the Interim Town Manager position. The ad was placed with ICMA, CCM, CTCMA and the State of Connecticut job website.
Bids for the Senior Center were received and are being reviewed.
The amphitheater plans are awaiting approval from ZBA.
Twelve RFP’s were received for the Rails to Trails extension.
Mr. Drewry will follow up with Kerry Nielson regarding the lake drawdown that was discussed by the Conservation-Lake Commission.
There is no additional information on the dog pound at this time. It will be put on the next meeting agenda. Mr. Cordeiro noted that a group of community members expressed interest in a commitment for cleanup and maintenance.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations None
Bids & Contracts None
Appointments None
Financial Statements and Transactions None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Carillo, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $392.30. Voted (5-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Ms. Moore attended the Board of Education workshop and meeting. The proposed budget was reduced from a 3.8% increase to a 3.5% increase. Dr. Golden also discussed salaries.
Coming Up None
Public Remarks
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, commented that she has asked the Board of Education for salary information and has not received the information.
John Hines, South Main Street, disputed the statement that there was no structural damage done at the schools when the roofs of the buildings were cleared. He asked who determined that those doing the clearing were qualified. He asked if the contractors are paying for the damages done during the clearing. He also commented on damage he felt was caused to South Main Street due to a lack of maintenance several months ago.
Joe Carbonell, 85 North Main Street, commented on the state statutes regarding noise. He reviewed noise exclusions in the statute.
Phil Wielgosh, North Main Street, commented that a payloader was moving snow at midnight in Angelico’s parking lot. He noted that moving the band stage around at Angelico’s is facing the music now in the direction of his house. He commented that the town needs a noise ordinance.
Irene Curtis, 13 Wangonk Trail, commented on potholes and frost heaves in her neighborhood and an upcoming insurance claim for damage done to a gate.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that she felt Ms. Moore reading Mr. Angelico’s letter showed favoritism to Angelico’s and that Ms. Moore should recuse herself from future noise ordinance votes due to that favoritism.
Peter Dombrowski, 21 Wildwood Lane, commented about personal attacks against the Town Council members.
Reserved None
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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