Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle and Council Members Thomas Cordeiro, Christopher Goff, Barbara Moore and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Interim Town Manager John Weichsel, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: Council Member Chatham Carillo
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Engel 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 Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2011 Regular Meeting as written. Voted (5-0-1) Mr. Tuttle abstained as he was not present at that meeting.
Special Presentation
Discussion of Board of Assessment Appeals Alternates/Assessor Clarification of Revaluation Classifications
Barbara Suprono, George Coshow and Kevin Flannery were present to discuss alternates for the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). Currently there are three elected members to that Board. The BAA has requested alternates. If a member is not available there would be alternates that could sit in for appeals. There was discussion whether the alternates should be appointed or elected. The final decision will be held until the next meeting when Attorney Jean D’Aquila is present to answer questions.
Carol Ann Tyler, Tax Assessor, provided an overview of the revaluation classifications.
Public Remarks
Tim Cavanaugh, 202 Hog Hill Road, commented that at the last Council meeting he and his wife’s names were slandered, being accused of animal cruelty and roaming dogs. He commented that he trains bird dogs for competition and that the DEP said there was no cruelty to animals.
Laurie Wasilewski, 202 Hog Hill Road, commented that a resident was not stopped from slandering her and her husband at the last meeting. She would like her name and her husband’s name removed from the minutes of the last meeting. In support of her husband, she read a letter of recommendation from 2007 from Red McKinney that that was included with her husband’s animal control officer application. She also noted that she was cut off from speaking after one minute at the last meeting and wants an apology from Town Council, the Town Manager and the Town Attorney.
Janice Cavanaugh, Hog Hill Road, commented that Dean Gates from the State Animal Control Office was the person she spoke with regarding the bird issue she brought up at the last meeting.
New Business
Approve 2011/12 Public Water System Operating Budget & Water Rate Recommendations
Vincent Susco, Public Utilities Administrator, presented the operating budget for the two community water systems owned by the town and operated by the Water Pollution Control Authority. He also reviewed the proposed increase in water rates to fund their operations. The water billing rates would be as follows: Equivalent Meter Units: $12.00/EMU; Commodity Charge: $5.11/1000 gallons.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the 2011-2012 Operating Budget for the two Community Water Systems owned by the Town and operated by the WPCA and authorize an increase in water rates to fund their operations. Voted (6-0).
Discussion on Number of Members on Conservation-Lake Commission
The Conservation-Lake Commission has requested that the number of members on their commission be changed to seven (7) members. The current ordinance states that there are to be no more than nine (9) members. The Commission has had quorum issues with a nine member board.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to reduce the number of members on the Conservation-Lake Commission from nine (9) regular members to seven (7) regular members. Voted (6-0).
Peter Zawisza, Chairman of the Conservation-Lake Commission, will be invited to the June 14th meeting to provide an update on the commission.
Old Business
Update on Animal Control & ACO Staff
The animal control consolidation agreement was originally drafted as a regional agreement with East Haddam which would have placed control under the Department of Agriculture. The current version of the agreement has been changed to a town to town agreement with control in the hands of the two towns.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve changes to the animal control agreement to a town to town agreement pending approval from the Department of Agriculture. Voted (6-0).
Discussion of Solar Panels Near WPCA
Ron Gaudet from White Oak will be attending the Joint Facilities meeting in July. He will be invited back to a Council meeting in July or August.
Results of Investigations from Chief Reimondo
The discussion of the investigations will be moved to a later meeting. Ms. Weintraub asked if this is more of a personnel issue and if Council should be dealing with this issue. Ms. Engel noted she has no problem allowing the Town Manager to deal with the investigations but she was concerned about the length of time it took to receive the reports.
Report of Interim Town Manager
Update on Christopher Brook Culvert
Keith Hayden, Director of Public Works, provided an overview of the Christopher Brook culvert. An application has been submitted to Midstate Regional Planning Agency for STP-Urban/Rural funds to replace the culvert.
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to add an item to the agenda to ask about gas tanks at Public Works being redlined. Voted (6-0).
Ms. Weintraub asked if the town gas pumps at Public Works have been red-lining. Mr. Hayden explained that the pumps were not red-lined but there are issues with the key system for the pumps. He noted that a fuel island has been proposed to replace the existing pumps but the key system needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Council asked that the road bonding and fuel island project be presented as a combined bonding project possibly in June.
Update on Refuse Disposal
Mr. Weichsel reported that four possible contracts were received from CRRA. Our collector, All Waste, has a 5 year contract with CRRA. It is recommended to do nothing with the CRRA contracts.
Update on Girls Softball Dugouts
Mr. Weichsel provided an overview of the girls’ softball dugouts. It is anticipated that the project will go out to bid in June and the construction will be completed during the summer. It was also noted that no grants were received for this project.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the depth of Attorney Jean D’Aquila’s staff and who could attend meetings if Jean is not available. Ms. Weintraub also commented on removing the names that were mentioned in the public comments at the last meeting. Ms. Engel noted that question can be asked of Attorney D’Aquila at the next meeting. Ms. Weintraub would also like the policy regarding access to the Town Attorney to be reviewed to be sure that if information is given to one Council member that it is dispersed to all Council members.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Adopt Resolutions for Wastewater Discharge Projects for Each School
Mr. Goff reported that new state regulations have been put in place for wastewater discharge from school buildings. A building committee needs to be formed for each school so that the projects can be submitted for State reimbursement.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adopt a resolution to establish a building committee for the Memorial Elementary School Wastewater Discharge Project. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adopt a resolution to establish a building committee for the Center Elementary School Wastewater Discharge Project. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt a resolution to establish a building committee for the Middle School Wastewater Discharge Project. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to adopt a resolution to establish a building committee for the High School Wastewater Discharge Project. Voted (6-0).
Bids & Contracts
Approve Pine Brook Culvert Replacement Contractor
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to award the contract for the Pine Brook Culvert Replacement to Butler Construction in the amount of $282,000. Voted (6-0).
Approve Bid for Engineering Design Services for Oil Tank Replacement at Memorial School
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Goff, to award the contract for engineering design services for the 20,000 gallon UST oil tank replacement project at Memorial School to Macchi Engineers, LLC in the amount of $10,500. Voted (6-0).
Appointments None
Financial Statements and Transactions None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $481.28. Voted (6-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
The budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the High School.
The Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, May 30, 2011 at 9am. Marchers should arrive at 8:45 a.m. at the VFW.
Mr. Cordeiro noted that a resident that is knowledgeable about defined contribution and defined benefit plans offered to speak to the Council on the subject if desired.
Mr. Tuttle noted three upcoming events related to the Neighbor to Neighbor program.
- East Hampton Library, May 31st sponsored by Lions and Leo Club
- Middle School Library, June 7th sponsored by the East Hampton Congregational Church
- East Hampton Library, June 11th at sponsored by the Rotary and the Library
Ms. Weintraub read a letter from the State’s Attorney’s office in response to Jeff O’Keefe’s request for an additional investigation. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Mr. Goff provided a reminder about the Yellow Ribbon ceremony immediately following the parade in the village center.
Mr. Goff reported that he received a packet of information from a resident regarding town employees mis-using town issued cell phones. He will meet with Mr. Weichsel regarding the matter.
Public Remarks
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, commented that she is still waiting for the listing of regulations that the Police can use regarding noise complaints.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, asked for clarification about residents coming to Council meetings saying what they would like about other residents but those that are being spoken about cannot defend themselves? She asked if she misunderstood.
Peter Dombrowski, Wildwood Lane, asked about legal issues being read aloud and if this will be allowed to continue since some cases are still in court.
Mary Flannery, 10 West High Street, commented that she is hopeful that the girl’s softball dugouts will have some type of roof.
Mr. Weichsel responded to Ms. Wasilewski that the attorney will guide the Council as to what is permitted and not permitted including public remarks.
Reserved None
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voted (6-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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