Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, 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.
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2011 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting as written. Voted (5-0-2) Ms. Engel and Mr. Tuttle abstained as they were not present that evening.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to move item 11A – Capital Reserve Fund Transfer to Item 6A under Old Business. Voted (7-0).
Special Presentation
Ann McLaughlin addressed the Council with an idea to honor local military men and women returning home from service. She and a small committee have come up with the idea of a welcome home ceremony including using the tree in the village center to tie yellow ribbons honoring those returning. They would like to try to have Council members, residents and maybe even school children lining the street to welcome them home, although it is sometimes difficult to know ahead of time exactly when they will arrive in town. She asked the Council for permission to use the tree in the village center and will keep the Council apprised of the plans their committee formulates.
Public Remarks
Ms. Engel read a letter from Michael Vasquenza, Chairman of the Board of Education, regarding requests for information. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Sherry Visintainer, Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, spoke in support of the veteran’s program that was presented.
Alice Stelzer, Waterview Circle, commented that she is disappointed in how the Senior Center project was run by the former Town Manager. She feels the project needs to be funded and move forward.
Nelson Maurice, 30 Mallard Cove, spoke in favor of the Senior Center project. He feels it is long overdue and upgrades are needed.
Ann McLaughlin, 85 North Main Street, spoke in favor of the Senior Center project moving forward.
Mary Jo Shafer, 111 Middle Haddam Road, commented that the Commission on Aging supports the Senior Center project.
Susan Wielgosh, North Main Street, commented on the need for a noise ordinance. She cited examples from the Code of Conduct and the Code of Ethics.
John Hines, South Main Street, apologized to the Council and Mr. Drewry for comments made at the last meeting. He also apologized to Peter Dombrowski for comments made at the last meeting.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the Capital Reserve Fund Transfer item on the agenda. She would like to see due diligence done to determine what went wrong with the project.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that the seniors should have the best facility possible. She commented that she has not been able to get answers to questions that she has asked on the Senior Center project. She feels the project should be watched carefully.
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, commented that she agrees with Ms. Dostaler and Ms. Wasilewski. She commented that she has been requesting information from Dr. Golden and has had no answers on the budget. She noted there needs to be transparency.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, thanked Mr. Drewry and his staff for assistance they provided and also noted a good experience she had with a phone call to Public Works. She commented on a letter from Mr. Angelico’s attorney and referred to the State noise statutes that Attorney Dowley noted in his letter.
New Business
Discussion on Process for Hiring Interim Town Manager
Ms. Engel suggested that copies be made of all of the Interim Town Manager applications and provided to Council members on Tuesday, March 1st. The Council members would then review the applications and choose their top 3 or 4 candidates. An Executive Session will be scheduled just prior to the regular Council meeting on Tuesday, March 8th to review the top candidates. Details will then be discussed as to when the interviews will be held. The interviews would be one-on-one with the candidate and each Council member.
Financial Statements and Transactions
Capital Reserve Fund Transfer (Senior Center Renovation Project)
A Small Cities grant was received by the Town in the amount of $750,000 to renovate and expand the Senior Center. Mr. Drewry reviewed anticipated additional costs for the project that would require an additional $100,000 in funding. It is proposed to transfer funds in the capital reserve fund to the project to cover the additional costs. A contract cannot be awarded unless sufficient funding is in place. After the contract is awarded, options can be discussed to reduce the scope of the project through change orders so the full $100,000 may not be used and would be transferred back to the capital reserve fund.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Moore, to earmark no more than $100,000 to the Senior Center Renovation project to allow the project to move forward. Voted (7-0).
Old Business
Update on Animal Control Consolidation
Mr. Goff, Ms. Moore and Ms. Engel reviewed the history of the dog pound, the benefits for regionalization and the Animal Control expenses from prior year budgets. These documents and other supporting documents will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. Mark Walter, 1st Selectman from East Haddam, was present to provide information and answer questions on the current dog pound in East Haddam. The Council discussed the salary of the Lead Animal Control Officer. Suggested revisions to the agreement from Attorney D’Aquila were reviewed.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to accept the animal control consolidation plan with East Haddam as of April 1, 2011, pending attorney approval and signing of the contracts. Voted (7-0).
Update on Noise Ordinance
At the next Council meeting, a rough draft of a noise ordinance will be presented and there will be a discussion of current state statutes regarding noise.
Report of Interim Town Manager
Mr. Drewry reported the following:
- The Annex offices are preparing for the move to the Palmer building in early March.
- The financials for snow removal are being calculated.
- Public Works will soon begin accepting recycled electronics at the Transfer station.
- Facilities Manager Frank Grzyb was in attendance to provide an overview of the snow removal from the town buildings. Structural engineers deemed all building were safe but snow was removed due to ice dams and the possibility of more snow. He indicated those removing the snow were as careful as could be but some damage was done to some of the roofs. He noted the High School roof was leaking prior to the storms.
Ms. Weintraub asked for a report on the Town Manager’s meeting with Sgt. Kelly and the status of the Design Review Board. Mr. Drewry will report on the meeting at the next Council meeting and the Appointments Sub Committee will review the Design Review Board’s status.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Resolution for State Library Historic Document Preservation Grant
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Carillo, to adopt the resolution authorizing the Interim Town Manager to execute the State Library Historic Document Preservation Grant documents. Voted (7-0).
Eagle Scout Resolutions
Tabled to next meeting.
Bids & Contracts None
Appointments None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $3,885.86. Voted (7-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Ms. Engel distributed a letter to Council from Attorney Richard Hayber representing Sgt. Michael Green. She also presented a letter from a resident regarding ringing bells on the 4th of July.
Coming Up None
Public Remarks
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the $100,000 allocation for the Senior Center. He feels the project was mismanaged from the start.
Bonnie Sweet Reilly, 41 Lake Boulevard, commented on the way decisions are made by Council. She also commented on the need for a noise ordinance and on the dog pound and asked who was supposed to handle the funds for the dog pound.
Ms. Engel noted that the Chief of Police is responsible for the budget for Animal Control.
Irene Curtis, 13 Wangonk Trail, commented that she thought the Council was not going to be involved in the hiring of the Interim Town Manager. Ms. Engel noted that they are choosing the interim town manager but a committee will be formed for the permanent town manager.
Angela Sarahina, Old Middletown Avenue, asked what will happen if the East Haddam dog pound is full. Ms. Engel noted that if the pound is full it is the town’s responsibility to take the animal to a neighboring town, as it is done now.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on a concern from residents that the Council has no respect for process and transparency. She asked who was overseeing the Senior Center project to allow it to get out of control as it is now. She commented that the residents received no documentation on the dog pound in the beginning of the process.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that she is appalled at the behavior by Council toward residents. She noted that the residents have a right to know answers to questions and there is no transparency on projects.
Mary Dostaler, 56 William Drive, thanked Mr. Tuttle and Ms. Moore for the professionalism showed at the last two Council meetings. She noted there is no trust due to the East Haddam Animal Control Officer currently in place, the same individual who was not hired in East Hampton.
Reserved None
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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