Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel and Council Members Chatham Carillo, 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.
Not Present: Vice Chairman John Tuttle and Thomas Cordeiro
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 Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the June 27, 2011 Special Meeting as written, June 28, 2011 Special Meeting as written and June 28, 2011 Regular Meeting as amended. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks
Paul Angelico, North Main Street, read a letter into the record regarding a noise ordinance. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, commented on the noise complaint calls that she has made. She noted the original request was for a town-wide noise ordinance for future downtown development.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, asked why there is a problem creating a noise ordinance. If noise stays within the DEP regulations there would be no issue.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on board and commission members being asked to sign the town employee handbook to acknowledge receipt. Mr. Weichsel reported that a new version of the handbook geared toward volunteers will be created and distributed.
Dale Maynard, Quiet Woods Road, commented that the volunteer fire department also raised questions on being required to sign the town employee handbook.
Special Presentation
Wind Study Results
Dave Hurwitt of Optiwind provided an overview of the results of the wind study at Memorial School. A wind measuring device was installed at Memorial School with funding through a grant. After reviewing the data it was determined that the wind strengths were not adequate to provide a good return on investment if the project was continued. These low wind speeds would also not qualify for additional grant funds. A final report will be available in a few weeks.
New Business
Discussion of Congregational Church Parking Lot
Mr. Weichsel reviewed a letter that was received from the Congregational Church regarding the use of the parking lot. Mr. Weichsel recommended the preparation of a lease for the shared use of the parking lot. A draft will be prepared by Attorney D’Aquila for the next meeting.
Update on Fund Balance Policy
Finance Director Jeff Jylkka provided an update on the Fund Balance Policy adopted by the Board of Finance on July 18, 2011. The update includes terminology changes and the fund balance percentage change. The full policy will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Old Business
Update on Senior Center Addition/Renovation
Facilities Manager Frank Grzyb provided an update on the Senior Center Addition/Renovation project. The foundation work continues. There were some delays with organic soil that needed to be removed and replaced with suitable material. The cost of replacing the soil used the budget funds that were saved from not moving the chiller unit. The Seniors have moved to the Congregational Church and demolition work in the existing building is complete. The interior wall construction and electrical work has started.
Update on Sears Park Gazebo
The approvals from the land use boards have been received. The RFP will be sent out in the next few days for the architectural services. Ms. Weintraub requested that the Economic Development Commission be involved in the process. Mr. Grzyb noted that Rich Leone, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission, will be involved after the architect is chosen.
Update on Draft Noise Ordinance
The Council members provided their comments on a noise ordinance. Ms. Moore, Mr. Goff, Ms. Carillo and Ms. Engel were not in favor of a noise ordinance, noting that maybe in the future with mixed use development it would be needed. Ms. Weintraub addressed Mr. Angelico’s comments and noted that the ordinance is needed as a town-wide tool, not for spot legislation, especially for future mixed development.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, that the current Council no longer address a noise ordinance. Vote (3-2). Ms. Moore, Ms. Carillo and Mr. Goff in favor, Ms. Weintraub and Ms. Engel against. The motion does not carry as four affirmative votes are needed for passage.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to add an item to the agenda for Smoking in Sears Park. Voted (5-0).
Smoking in Sears Park
For the September meeting Ruth Plummer will be asked to attend to discuss possibly designating smoking areas in Sears Park. She will work with Attorney D’Aquila and will also check to see how other towns handle this matter.
Report of Interim Town Manager
Mr. Weichsel reported on the following items that were brought to his attention:
- The Memorial School playscape has been sprayed for bees and the bolts that were sticking out have been repaired.
- The streetlight/outside lighting issue at the Housing Authority is being addressed.
- Old West High Street is a State road. Any complaints regarding that road should be addressed to the State Department of Transportation.
Ms. Engel asked Mr. Weichsel to look into the VFW being required to install an expensive grease trap. She indicated that Thad King of the Health department would support a waiver. Mr. Weichsel will review the issue with Vin Susco.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Adoption of Road Bonding Resolution & Set Town Meeting Date
Finance Director Jeff Jylkka provided an overview of the road bonding project. Ms. Engel read the full resolution into the record.
A motion was made by Ms. Engel, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to adopt the resolution to appropriate and bond for the costs associated with the FY 2012 Road Improvement projects and to set the Town Meeting date of Monday, September 19, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at the East Hampton High School. Voted (5-0).
Bids & Contracts
Bid Award – Rear Mounted Truck Material Conveyor
A motion was made by Ms. Weintraub, seconded by Ms. Moore, to award the purchase contract for the Rear Mounted Truck Material Conveyor to Tri-County Contractor Supply of West Springfield, MA in the amount of $14,998. Voted (5-0).
Bid Award – High School Tennis Court Repairs
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to award the contract for the High School Tennis Court Crack Repairs to VT Recreational in the amount of $11,976. Voted (5-0).
Bid Award – Memorial School Oil Tank
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Goff, to award the Memorial School Oil Tank Replacement project to Excavation Technologies Inc. in the amount of $115,775. Voted (5-0).
Appointments
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the reappointments listed below. Voted (5-0).
- James Valad as a full member on the Ethics Commission with a term through April 30, 2016
- John McBrearty as an alternate on the Ethics Commission with a term through April 30, 2016
- Dan Wolfram to the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency with a term through June 30, 2016
- Scott Bristol to the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency with a term through June 30, 2016
- Scott Hill to the Building Code Board of Appeals with a term through June 30, 2014
- Dennis Lavigne to the Housing Code Board of Appeals with a term through December 31, 2014
Financial Statements and Transactions None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $934.65. Voted (5-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Mr. Goff reported that a Yellow Ribbon Welcome Home Ceremony was held on July 30th. He commended Ann McLaughlin and the committee on their efforts.
The next Council meeting is Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
Public Remarks
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, commented that none of the Council members provided feedback to Ms. Weintraub on the noise ordinance.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the discussion and comments from the Council members regarding the noise ordinance.
Reserved None
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Voted (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
