Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
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 6:32 p.m. in the Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room at the Town Hall.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to add a proclamation for Sunshine Week to the agenda under Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2011 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting as written. Voted (7-0).
Public Remarks
Paul Angelico, Angelico’s Lakehouse Restaurant, read a letter into the record related to the discussion of a noise ordinance. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented on the last Council meeting and comments made at that meeting that she feels were disrespectful.
Bill Marshall, 6 Fairlawn Avenue, commented on the homicide on Namonee Trail noting that the police department handled the situation very professionally. He commented that the Chief and the officers should be commended for their work.
Susan Wielgosh, 79 North Main Street, commented that the town should adopt a noise ordinance by April. She read portions of the Noise Pollution Control for the State.
Ms. Engel presented letters that were asked to be presented at the meeting. All letters will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
- Gladys Yeager, North Main Street, does not support a noise ordinance.
- Joe Carbonell, North Main Street, wrote about the daytime/nighttime hours from the State noise ordinance.
- Dean Markham, Huckleberry Acres, wrote about the history of music near the lake and the noise ordinance.
- Jim Morris, wrote against the proposed noise ordinance.
Mr. Cordeiro noted that he received an email from Fran Klein supporting a noise ordinance.
Ms. Moore received a letter from Matt Walton. He noted that Angelico’s is being targeted by a noise ordinance.
Nikki O’Neill, 53 Meeks Point Road, commented that the police are busy already and if a noise ordinance is adopted it would take up more of their time.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented the Council members should not have private conversations with any of the Interim Town Manager candidates and if they do they should be shared with the full Council.
Tom Cooke, 48 Pinebrook Road, commented on the Pinebrook Road washout. He noted that his family was not notified when cones were put up at the culvert. He does not feel the situation was handled properly.
Ken Lee, 52 Pinebrook Road, commented that he feels the situation has not been handled properly.
Karin Cooke, 48 Pinebrook Road, thanked everyone that worked late into the night to repair the culvert. She reviewed an incident from two years ago. They were told it was a top priority but no work has been done.
Karen Lee, 52 Pinebrook Road, commented on the process for notification when the road washes out. She noted there is no process in place and a contingency plan is needed.
Update on Pinebrook Road
Keith Hayden reported that CLA Engineers has prepared some preliminary plans for the culvert. They weren’t far enough along in the plans to have the work done last August as was planned. Mr. Drewry reported that they are looking at several options, possibly a box culvert. They are looking for approvals to have the work done as a repair. John Higgins was asked for his input as he is familiar with army surplus bridges. Ms. Engel asked that a meeting be scheduled with the residents, Mr. Hayden, CLA Engineers and Mr. Drewry. Emergency Management Director Rich Klotzbier would be consulted for information on the emergency management plan. Mr. Hayden noted that CLA Engineers has been on the scene during the repair to inspect what has been done. Approximately $10,000 has been spent to date. If
the current culvert is changed and flow is increased it could move flooding downstream. Permitting would be needed to make major changes to the culvert and it would have to be designed to a certain standard to meet the 100 year storm.
Public Remarks continued
Carol Wheeler, Middle Haddam Road, commented on the dog pound and the possibility of volunteers assisting at the town dog pound. She cited examples of recent animal control issues.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that there are many unanswered questions in the details regarding regionalization of personnel. She noted if regionalization of personnel is done then the staff would be under the control of the State.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented in favor of a noise ordinance. She also commented on the animal control consolidation and her concerns regarding the current employees.
Peter Brown, 76 Barton Hill Road, read a letter regarding emails forwarded by the Police Chief and noted the Council should demand an investigation. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
New Business None
Old Business
Recommended Changes to the Employee Handbook
The Employee Handbook that was approved by the Council on December 14, 2010 was forwarded to Attorney Shel Myers upon appointment of Kainen, Escalera and McHale for his review.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve the changes recommended by the town’s labor attorney, Shel Myers. Voted (7-0).
Update on Noise Ordinance
Mr. Cordeiro provided an overview on the research done on a proposed Noise Ordinance. Mr. Cordeiro and Ms. Weintraub recommend that the Town Council adopt the State of Connecticut Regulation 22a-69-1 Control of Noise as the town ordinance on noise. They also recommended an exemption for Old Home Days each year. Penalties for violations were also presented. The Council discussed other exemptions and different penalties as well as the need to adopt the regulations as an ordinance. The document will be sent to Attorney D’Aquila for review. The State regulation, the proposed exemption and penalties and the DEP Approval procedure documents will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Report of Interim Town Manager
Mr. Drewry reported the following:
- FEMA funding was denied to Middlesex County. Congressman Courtney is fighting to try to get funding.
- The March 22nd meeting will be at the High School from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by a Special Board of Finance Meeting. The State DEP representative will be postponed to April.
- The offices in the CL&P annex have moved out to the Palmer building. A letter was sent to CL&P to notify them and they have waived the March rent.
- Pinebrook Road is out but also several other dirt roads have washed out due to the storm.
- The budget has been presented to the Board of Finance. Mr. Drewry thanked Jeff Jylkka for his work on the budget noting he could not have done the work without him.
- Sgt. Kelly will contact Mr. Drewry to meet to discuss Attorney Coe’s findings in the hostile work environment complaint
Ms. Engel asked Mr. Drewry if he was aware of the email issue regarding the Police Chief. Mr. Drewry noted that he was aware and it is a personnel matter that has been dealt with. Ms. Engel requested an executive session to discuss the matter further.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Eagle Scout Resolutions
Resolutions were read for two Eagle Scouts, Caleb C. Gates and Rosse C. Gates. Mr. Tuttle and Ms. Carillo will attend the Eagle Scout ceremony.
Resolution Authorizing Interim Town Manager to Sign Animal Control Consolidation Agreement
Ms. Engel noted that the East Haddam dog pound passed its final inspection. The agreement will be made under the town by town arrangement which enables each town to contribute to the lead Animal Control Officer salary individually so that benefits are not an issue. The contract is being reviewed by the Department of Agriculture. Ms. Weintraub voiced her concerns on whether the ACO will be able to issue citations. Ms. Engle noted that under the agreement the ACO’s will be able to issue citations. Ms. Weintraub also felt the item is moving too quickly, 19.5 hours per week for the part time ACO is not enough and noted her concerns about the current ACO in East Haddam who was turned down for the East Hampton position. She would like to know why he was turned down for the East Hampton
position.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adopt the resolution to authorize Interim Town Manager Robert Drewry to execute and deliver the agreement between the Town of East Haddam and the Town of East Hampton for the Detention and Care of Impounded Dogs. Voted (6-1) Ms. Weintraub against.
Proclamation for Sunshine Week
Kyle Dostaler, Chairman of the Chatham Party, proposed a proclamation be made for Sunshine Week. Council members voiced concerns about adopting a proclamation without knowing all of the expectations that would be put on the town.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to adopt a proclamation for Sunshine Week. Voted (1-6) Ms. Engel, Mr. Tuttle, Ms. Carillo, Mr. Cordeiro, Mr. Goff and Ms. Moore against.
Bids & Contracts
Senior Center Project Bid Award
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve a contract with TM Builders LLC for the additions and renovations at the Senior Center for $680,000. Voted (7-0).
Appointments
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to make the following reappointments:
Peter Aarrestad to Planning & Zoning
Tim Adams to Parks & Recreation
Tom Denman to Housing Authority
Roy Gauthier to Planning & Zoning
Richard Norkun to Parks & Recreation
John Wright to Parks & Recreation
Voted (7-0).
Financial Statements and Transactions None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $205.52. Voted (7-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Ms. Engel provided a letter was sent from the town’s labor attorneys in response to the letter from Sgt. Green’s attorney.
Ms. Engel presented a letter from ICMA finding no evidence that Mr. O’Keefe violated the ICMA Code of Ethics.
Mr. Cordeiro reported that he spoke with Walter Curran who sent a letter regarding integrating bells into a celebration for July 4th. The Arts & Cultural Commission will review the request.
Mr. Tuttle reported that he attended the Board of Education presentation on improvements to the High School.
Coming Up
The March 22nd meeting will last one hour from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a Special Board of Finance meeting.
Public Remarks
John Moore, 16 Lake Boulevard, commented on the proposed noise ordinance and noted he hasn’t heard of any other areas of town having complaints regarding noise.
Jon March, 85 Mountainview Road, commented in favor of a noise ordinance.
Reserved None
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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