Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle and Council Members Chatham Carillo, Christopher Goff, and Barbara Moore. Also present were Acting Interim Town Manager Anne McKinney, Town Attorney Jean D’Aquila, Labor Attorney Lisa Lazarek, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: Thomas Cordeiro and Susan Weintraub
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.
Chairperson Engel introduced the new Acting Interim Town Manager Anne McKinney.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting of September 13, 2011 as written. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks
None
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to move the resolution for the land purchase for town cemetery to this point in the agenda. Voted (5-0).
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Adopt Resolution for Land Purchases for Town Cemetery and Set Town Meeting Date
Mr. Goff reported that a parcel of property is available for purchase adjacent to the town cemetery on Young Street. Mr. Goff has worked with property owner Lee Taylor, Chairman of the Town Cemetery Board Kevin Reich, Town Cemetery Sexton Robert Drewry and Chief Building Official Jim Carey on the purchase of this property. Mr. Taylor asked that Mr. Goff thank those individuals for bringing this transaction to conclusion. Kevin Reich thanked the Town Council for being proactive in this purchase as it is positive for the town. Mr. Reich also thanked Mr. Goff, Mr. Drewry and Mr. Carey for the work they have done. Mr. Goff thanked Mr. Taylor for working with the town.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the resolution as read and set the Town Meeting date to Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the East Hampton Town Hall Meeting Room. Voted (5-0).
Old Business
Update from Facilities Manager on the following:
- Performing Arts Gazebo at Sears Park
A second Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted that incorporated all of the guidelines and commitments proposed by the Planning & Zoning board. The RFP complied with the requirements within the grant and were due by August 23rd. Seven responses were received to the RFP. The interview committee includes Frank Grzyb, Ruth Plummer, Rich Leone from EDC and Rich Norkun from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Upon selection of the architect, the Committee will submit their recommendation to the Council for approval.
- Senior Center Renovation/Addition
The foundation for the addition is complete. The structural steel has been erected and wall/roof framing is in progress. Interior wall construction is almost complete. The rough HVAC, plumbing and electrical work is in progress. The contractor lost about a week due to the hurricane. The project is about 4 weeks behind putting it to the end of November.
- Fire Co. #2 Storm Damage Repairs
After several delays by the insurance company, a scope of work and a fixed amount were agreed upon for compensation to repair the damage at Fire Company #2. A unit price proposal for bidders based upon the agreed scope per the insurance settlement. A pre-bid meeting was held at the site for bidders to examine the repairs needed and received three bids. The lowest qualified bidder came in below the insurance amount. The other two were at the insurance amount and higher. The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder and dependent on the weather, the project will be starting before the end of September.
- Fire Co. #2 Generator Upgrade
The contract was signed with Higgins Electric and the submittals have been approved. The generator has been ordered and will take 6-8 weeks to arrive. The transfer switch was delivered last week and the generator should be here before the end of September. Higgins Electric will be starting the switch and piping installation next week.
- High School Softball Dugouts
After some discussion about the design and disagreement as to what should be built, we are waiting for direction from the school administration as to exactly what they want. When direction is received the administration that is feasible, within budget and fully addresses the Title 9 issue, work will proceed. The dugouts will be ready for softball season. It is hoped they will be completed before winter.
- Memorial School Oil Tank Replacement
The contract was signed with Excavation Technologies.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to move the Contract for Design Services for the Memorial School Roof Replacement to this point in the agenda. Vote (5-0).
Bids & Contracts
Contract for Design Services for the Memorial School Roof Replacement
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to award the contract for the design work for the Memorial School Roof Replacement project to Kaestle Boos Associates for $88,470 per their proposal dated 6/9/11. Voted (5-0).
Update on Fire Department Radio Equipment Request
Jeff Jylkka provided an update on the Fire Department radio equipment request for narrow band radios that need to be updated by mandate by January 2013 and also issues with the low band with are a life safety issue. Mr. Jylkka met with the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Mike Scranton. Mike Scranton is finalizing the numbers. Public Works radios may be included in the total. There is also a repeater that may need to be replaced. The total figure could be close to $180,000.
Update on Proposed Storm Irene Meeting
Barbara Moore will work with Anne McKinney to set up the meeting which will include a representative from CL&P. Ms. Moore reviewed a draft agenda for the meeting which will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Discussion with Chief Reimondo Regarding Issues Noted in Attorney Daigle’s Report of 8/16/11
Chairperson Engel noted that the only portion of Attorney Daigle’s report being discussed at tonight’s meeting is the Training and Policy Recommendations. Labor Attorney Lisa Lazarek reported that Attorney Daigle has submitted an amended report to Chief Reimondo, noting the original report was a draft. The amended report will be final once the Chief signs it. Chief Reimondo noted that the report is being used as an audit for the department. One area needing improvement is the Case Management System. The system has been in the process of being upgraded in phases since a grant was received in 2009. After several delays it is hoped that the system will be complete by the end of October. Another area of concern is the policies and procedures of the department. Chief Reimondo reported the present
rules and regulations are outdated. He had contracted with Attorney Daigle in the spring of 2010 to upgrade the rules and regulations. The process should be restarted after the internal affairs investigations are complete and should be completed in 18 to 24 months. Arrest warrants, bonding issues and housing of prisoners was also discussed. The updated report from Attorney Daigle will be complete after the personnel issue is resolved.
New Business
Settlement for Maintenance of Former Dog Pound
Mr. Goff reported that based on the contract for the former dog pound, which was utilized for 37 years, the pound was to be left in the same condition it was found originally. Over the years, maintenance that was budgeted was not performed. Mr. Hazard had two estimates prepared, $18,000 and $24,000. Mr. Hazard noted that he will do some of the labor himself and has accepted the settlement offer of $14,000. Attorney D’Aquila noted a release will also be prepared for Mr. Hazard to sign to release the town from future liability.
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the settlement for maintenance of the former dog pound in the amount of $14,000. (Voted 5-0).
Discuss the Internal Affairs Investigations Involving Sgt. Michael Green
After much discussion it was determined that the internal affairs investigations involving Sgt. Green will not be discussed at this time.
A special meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, October 12th to review the results of the reports and for discussion of the settlement offer.
Officer Michael Salafia, President of the Police Union, spoke in support of Sgt. Green. He presented a petition signed by eight (8) officers and one (1) sergeant stating that they have full confidence in the ability of Sgt. Michael Green to perform his duties as an officer and supervisor and feel that he should be reinstated.
Report of Interim Town Manager
None
Appointments
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to reappoint Peter Zawisza, Allen Petell, and Nancy Selavka to the Conservation-Lake Commission all with terms through June 30, 2015. Voted (5-0).
Financial Statements and Transactions
None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $1,075.14. Voted (5-0).
Communications/Correspondence/Announcements
Hope Church will be on the agenda for the next meeting regarding waiving fees for their Inland Wetland and Planning & Zoning Commission.
A Yellow Ribbon ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 1st at 8:30 a.m. in the Village Center for Jeffery Pugatch.
On October 11th there will be several meetings: 6:00 p.m. FOI Training for the Council; 7:00 p.m. Town Meeting; 7:15 p.m. Town Council Regular Meeting.
Public Remarks
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented regarding paid leave and feels that Chief Reimondo was being attacked at this meeting.
Tony Gagnon asked if it is standard procedure to have the town attorney accompany the Police Chief to meetings.
Mary Flannery, 10 West High Street, commented that the Girls High School Softball team has been waiting three years for the dugouts.
Reserved
None
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:55 p.m. Voted (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
