Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 14, 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 John Weichsel, Town Attorney Jean D’Aquila, 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 6:55 p.m. in the Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room at the Town Hall.
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to add an item to the agenda following Approval of Minutes to discuss Roberts Rules of Order, parliamentary procedures and minutes. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Carillo, to approve the minutes of the May 24, 2011 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting as written. Voted (6-0-1). Ms. Carillo abstained as she was not present at that meeting.
Discussion of Roberts Rules of Order, Parliamentary Procedures and Minutes
Ms. Weintraub voiced her concerns regarding public comments from recent meetings that contain information that may or may not be true. She referenced a legal opinion from Attorney D’Aquila from April 1, 2010 noting that minutes can be corrected. She also referenced Roberts Rules of Order related to what should be included in meeting minutes. The Council and Attorney D’Aquila discussed public comments at meetings and how they are handled in the minutes.
Ms. Engel asked for a moment of silence for two members of the community who passed away recently: John Squire and Richard Wall.
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to move the Approval of Waste Removal Contractor and Approval of Roads for Bonding Package to the next item on the agenda. Voted (7-0).
Bids & Contracts
Approval of Waste Removal Contractor
Finance Director, Jeff Jylkka, provided an overview of the waste and recycling bids that were received.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to award the waste and recycling bid to All Waste, Inc. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Roads for Bonding Package
Public Works Director, Keith Hayden, provided an overview of the listing of roads to be included in the bonding package. Mr. Jylkka provided an overview of the bonding process. Dependent on the timing, the Memorial School roof and oil tank replacement and the fuel island will be included with the roads in the bonding package.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Ms. Carillo, to approve the list of roads to be repaired/rehabilitated as part of a 4 year bonding program. Voted (7-0). The approved listing will be filed with the Town Clerk.
Special Presentation
Update on Conservation-Lake Commission
The update on the Conservation-Lake Commission will be postponed to a future meeting.
Public Remarks
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented on meeting minutes and comments made against residents at meetings.
Janice Cavanaugh, 204 Hog Hill Road, commented on animal control matters from a previous meeting.
Dennis Wall, Beechcrest Drive, commented on a gravel runoff issue at the intersection of Clark Hill and Lake Drive.
Patience Anderson, Anderson Way, asked about the Conservation-Lake Commission update.
Jon March, Mountainview Road, provided a suggestion for meeting minutes and commented on the road issue at Clark Hill and Lake Drive.
Nelson Maurice, 30 Mallard Cove, asked what will be done for the High School Baseball team that won the Class S Championship.
New Business
Approval of Tax Suspense List
Collector of Revenue, Nancy Hasselman, provided an overview of the tax suspense list. She also reported that $8,572.97 in taxes, interest and fees on last year’s suspense list have now been collected.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve the suspense list and authorize the Tax Collector to transfer those uncollectible taxes to the suspense tax book. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Right of First Refusal for Possible Town Cemetery Property
Mr. Goff provided an overview of the need for space in the town cemeteries. The town is required to provide a burial plot for any resident who is not able to provide for themselves. There are only 13 remaining plots. The Town Cemetery Board was made aware of a piece of land adjacent to the town cemetery on Young Street. The town would like to request a first right of refusal for the property. At a past meeting, the Council approved an appraisal on the property. Attorney D’Aquila reviewed the draft of the first right of refusal letter.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Carillo, to approve the first right of refusal letter prepared by Attorney D’Aquila. Voted (7-0).
Old Business
Discussion of Board of Assessment Appeals Alternates
The Council discussed whether alternates are needed for the Board of Assessment Appeals and if so, should they be elected or appointed. Attorney D’Aquila reviewed a statute stating that an ordinance can be adopted that allows full members to be appointed to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a particular assessment year such as a revaluation year. That type of ordinance should be considered approximately a year ahead of time.
Report of Interim Town Manager
Airline Trail
Parks & Recreation Director, Ruth Plummer, provided an overview of the Airline Trail extension. Anchor Engineering will be delivering preliminary plans by June 15th. The plans will go through the land use boards and it is hoped that construction can begin in the fall.
Band Shell
Ms. Plummer provided an overview of possible changes to the scope of the proposed band shell at Sears Park to a performing arts gazebo in memory of Governor William A. O’Neill. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board is in support of the change. The memo to the Interim Town Manager which provides explanation and the motion from the Advisory Board will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. The Council discussed design questions. Mr. Cordeiro asked that someone from the Arts & Cultural Commission be involved in the discussions on the project.
Girls Softball Dugouts at High School
Ms. Plummer reported that dugouts similar to those at the Little League fields at Memorial School have been chosen for the High School girls softball fields. Specifications will be drawn up and three bids will be obtained.
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board has also requested an ordinance to make town parks smoke free. Attorney D’Aquila will draft an ordinance.
Senior Center Addition/Renovation
An update will be provided at the next meeting.
103 Main Street Parking Lot
Keith Hayden, staff liaison to the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency, provided an overview of the 103 Main Street Brownfields project. A separate project overview will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Animal Control Staff
Mr. Weichsel reported that Peter Dombrowski has been hired as the part time animal control officer for nights and weekends. Mike Olzacki is our part time daytime animal control officer shared with East Haddam.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations None
Appointments None
Financial Statements and Transactions None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Ms. Carillo, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $598.78. Voted (7-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
The Arts & Cultural Commission will have an open house on Thursday, June 16th at 6:30 p.m. at 70 Main in the Village Center.
Ms. Weintraub announced that the East Hampton Youth & Family Services will hold a workshop for girls on Thursday, June 23rd entitled “A Day in the Life”.
Ms. Engel noted that two reports were received from Chief Reimondo; one related to noise enforcement at Angelico’s and another related to a noise complaint against Loco Perro. Copies of the two reports will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. Attorney D’Aquila provided an overview of the report regarding Angelico’s that included a letter from John Cashman from the State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the use of criminal statutes for the enforcement of noise. The Council discussed noise enforcement options. This subject will be included on the agenda for the June 28th Council meeting. A listing of noise complaints from Memorial Day weekend to the current date will be requested from Chief Reimondo.
Mr. Tuttle noted a water issue at McDonalds and the church at the corner of Route 66 and Main Street.
Ms. Engel reviewed a letter received from the Registrars regarding police presence needed at the close of all referenda and elections. An officer was not present at the close of the referendum on May 31st as requested. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Public Remarks
Lori Weech, 41 Cone Road, commented on a noise ordinance and noise complaints for motorcycle noise.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented on allegations about birds and dogs at 202 Hog Hill Road. She also asked for an update about the allegations against one of the Middle School teachers.
Janice Cavanaugh, 204 Hog Hill Road, commented on her brother’s dogs.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, commented on the yellow ribbons on the tree in the Village Center.
Reserved None
A motion was made by Mr. Cordeiro, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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