Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 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 and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: Council Member Barbara Moore, Interim Town Manager Robert Drewry
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2011 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting as written. Voted (6-0).
Public Remarks
Ms. Weintraub noted that she spoke to the town labor attorney Patrick McHale today and he indicated that no comments should be responded to due to possible pending litigation.
Thomas Cooke, 48 Pinebrook Road, commented that a meeting was supposed to be scheduled with town staff, CLA Engineers and the residents of Pinebrook Road to disucuss the culvert and the meeting has not been scheduled yet. He commented that there is a Local Bridge Program document available on the internet that indicates the town could receive 33% to 50% reimbursement.
Jim Vick, Quiet Woods Road, commented on the emails distributed by the Police Chief. He feels the cartoons were in bad taste and noted it wasn’t a lapse in judgment but a lapse in character.
Marilyn Myers, 8 Stonegate Road, noted she is the adoptive parent of an African American daughter. She commented on the emails forwarded by the Police Chief. She asked that the situation be treated more seriously and feels there needs to be a better reputation for the town.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, read a letter related to the policy for the appropriate use of town computer resources. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
William Choma, 20 Namonee Trail, commented on the negative attention the town has received with the issues of the past year. He commented that there needs to be responsible people in the town to do the job for the taxpayers of the town.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented that she intended to bring more emails to the table but changed her mind. She feels that there are key people in town that have their own agendas. She feels bringing the emails forward was retaliation against the Police Chief.
Peter Brown, Barton Hill Road, commented that he doesn’t need anyone to feel sorry for him for coming forward with the emails. He provided a history of his adopted family in East Hampton. He is proud of himself for who he is and what he is.
Geri Cecilio, 52 North Main Street, commented that she has a bi-racial family. She feels the Chief should be held to a higher standard. She commented on the Code of Conduct noting the Chief should be the Code of Conduct. She feels all computers touched by that email should be examined.
Dale Maynard, Quiet Woods Road, commented that he feels that all town employees and Council members should recognize that there is a good policy in place and that the Interim Town Manager acted appropriately with the discipline given the Chief. He feels everyone should be as sensitive and as considerate as possible.
Milton Davis, property owner in East Hampton, reviewed a police incident from six years ago involving two black suspects noting that the Police showed up at his home because they were looking for black suspects and he was a black homeowner in the area being searched. He feels the Police under the Chief of Police were profiling. He met at that time with the Town Manager and the Police Chief. Sensitivity training was done but he feels there is a pattern of disrespect to people of color.
A letter was received from Attorney Michael Dowley, Attorney for Paul Angelico, against a noise ordinance. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Old Business
Report from Robert Drewry Regarding Email Issue
Ms. Engel read a letter from Robert Drewry regarding the email issue involving the Chief of Police. The report included the written warning given to Chief Reimondo and a memo distributed to town employees regarding email and internet usage. The three documents will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Update on Noise Ordinance
A letter was received from Attorney Jean D’Aquila regarding adopting the Connecticut Regulations for the Control of Noise as the town’s noise ordinance as was discussed at the last meeting. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. Mr. Cordeiro and Ms. Weintraub will draft an ordinance specific to East Hampton for distribution to the Council members prior to the next meeting. Mr. Goff asked when reviewing the ordinance, if the police have had the authority to issue citations why has that not been done to date. Mr. Tuttle would like an estimate for the cost for the ordinance for training and enforcement.
Update on Interim Town Manager Search
Ms. Engel reported that the Council interviewed five candidates for the Interim Town Manager position. There was unanimous agreement on one candidate. Mr. Drewry and the labor attorneys will begin to negotiate a contract.
New Business
Rotary Club Parks Idea
Ken Barber was present to review a proposed project on behalf of the Rotary Club and the Soccer Club. They are proposing a project where town owned land would be leased to local nonprofit organizations. These groups would then develop the properties into parks and recreational facilities. The organizations would assume all liability and costs in the maintenance, development and operations of the properties. A copy of the letters will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. This item will be included on the agenda for the April 12, 2011 meeting.
Report of Interim Town Manager None
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations None
Bids & Contracts None
Appointments
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to make the following appointments:
Frances Costanzo to CT River Assembly through December 2011
Cynthia DelFavero to Commission on Aging through December 2013
Dave Overson to Northern Middlesex County Cable TV Advisory Council through June 2012
Kevin Gunning to Arts & Cultural Commission through December 2011
Voted (6-0).
Financial Statements and Transactions None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $10,314.72. Voted (6-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
A letter from the town’s labor attorney to Sgt. Michael Green’s attorney was presented. A copy will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Mr. Goff asked Ms. Weintraub if she has received his emails regarding a statement she made. She will check her email.
Mr. Tuttle announced he attended the kickoff of the Neighbor to Neighbor program in Hartford. There will be a local kickoff in the near future.
The East Hampton High School will be featured on “Cool Schools” on WFSB Channel 3 on Friday, March 25, 2011 from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Public Remarks
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, provided a letter with the history of the request for a noise ordinance. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the lease of town property is a great idea to encourage partnerships but she suggested the Council doesn’t move too quickly. More diligence should be done as was noted with the property suggested for the solar arrays. The land is owned by the town but is handled through WPCA.
John Hines, South Main Street, asked that the Town Council provide the costs associated with snow removal from the school buildings. Ms. Engel noted that Mr. Grzyb should be present at that meeting.
Irene Curtis, Wangonk Trail, announced Lake Clean Up day sponsored by the Conservation-Lake Commission on Saturday, April 16th at Sears Park beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Tuttle made an observation asking what would have happened in the community in the last two weeks if the emails in question were sent from Jeff O’Keefe, Bob Drewry, Dr. Golden or any other employee.
Reserved None
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Voted (6-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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