Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Susan Weintraub (arrived at 8:00 p.m.), Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono and Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Derek Johnson and George Pfaffenbach (arrived at 6:50 p.m.). 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: Barbara Moore
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chairman Suprono called the regular meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library.
Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to adopt the agenda as presented. Voted (4-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of January 24, 2012 as written. Voted (4-0).
Public Remarks
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented on school accreditation, funds spent by Ms. McKinney regarding the police department, an upcoming FOI request on Mr. Hintz and Mr. Pfaffenbach’s meeting with the labor attorney, the Attorney Daigle investigation, the Spellman Point investigation and a possible conflict of interest with the Town Attorney representing land use boards.
Frank Morgano, 20 North Ridge, commented on the veteran’s tax exemptions, specifically sub-section G of 12-81(19) regarding current active duty personnel being eligible for tax exemption relief.
Presentations
Board of Assessment Appeals
Barbara Suprono, Chairperson for the Board of Assessment Appeals, provided an overview for the need for alternates for the Board of Assessment Appeals. In the short term the Board would like the Town Council to appoint alternates. In the long term they would like an ordinance put in place to elect alternates for their Board. At the next Town Council meeting Attorney D’Aquila will provide a resolution authorizing the Council to appoint alternates and letters will be submitted from each person interested in being an alternate.
Sears Park Fees
Ruth Plummer, Director of Parks & Recreation, reviewed the recommendation from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board that the Sears Park sticker fees not be removed for the 2012 season.
A vote was made to affirm the Parks & Recreation Advisory Boards recommendation to keep the Sears Park sticker fees the same as 2011. Voted (5-0).
Sears Park Performance Gazebo Designs
Ruth Plummer reviewed the designs for the Sears Park Performance Gazebo as prepared by Architect Cheryl Newton. Ms. Newton met with Mrs. O’Neill to review the memorialization aspect of the gazebo.
Tolhurst Easement
Attorney Jean D’Aquila provided an overview of the easement needed at Sears Park as was discussed at the last Council meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to adopt the resolution in full content for the easement at Sears Park. The resolution will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office. Voted (5-0).
Old Business
New Town Manager Recruitment
The Council reviewed a brochure and job description for the Town Manager search.
High School Renovations Building Committee Resolution
A revised draft of the High School Building Committee resolution was reviewed and amended. A copy of the newly revised resolution will be included with the minutes filed with the Town Clerk.
Ms. Weintraub arrived at the meeting during this discussion.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to adopt the East Hampton High School building Committee resolution as amended. Voted (6-0).
Building Committee Appointment Process
The Council discussed the process that will be followed to choose the members of the building committee.
Town Council Policies: Attorney Access and Personnel/Labor Matters
The Council discussed the policies regarding attorney access and personnel/labor matters.
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to accept the policy titled Requests to Consult with a Contract Town Attorney as amended. Voted (4-2) Mr. Hintz and Mr. Pfaffenbach against.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Suprono to accept the policy titled Involvement in Personnel Issues. Voted (4-2) Mr. Hintz and Mr. Pfaffenbach against.
New Business
IBPO Police Union Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to approve the Police Union contract as submitted. Voted (6-0).
Town-wide Property Improvement
Chairperson Weintraub asked George Pfaffenbach to work with the Economic Development Commission on a commercial property maintenance ordinance. EDC is already working on a blight ordinance.
Interim Town Manager Report
Veteran Property Tax Exemption Options
Attorney D’Aquila provided an overview of the Veterans property tax exemptions that are available. The letter and chart outlining the exemptions will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Spellman Point Update
The report from the consultant should be available soon.
Barton Hill Grinder Pump
Mr. Weichsel reported that based on the report from the engineering firm the Town is not responsible for the grinder pump issues.
North Main Street Culvert Replacement
East Hampton is second in line behind Cromwell for grant funding. If there are any issues with the Cromwell project the funding would then go to East Hampton. Keith Hayden is currently bringing the culvert project to a shovel ready status.
Loos Pond Water Supply Status
Building a dam at Loos pond could be a liability issue. Another option would be to excavate the pond to a deeper level to provide more water.
Town Communication System for Emergency Plan
A meeting will be set up to discuss the Everbridge system.
Plan of Conservation & Development Implementation Plan Update
A staff meeting is scheduled to provide updates to the plan. More information will be available at the next Council meeting.
Village Center Parking Lot – Abandoned Car
No update at this time.
Lake Pocotopaug Winter Water Level/Seasonal Boating Enforcement
An opinion will be obtained from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding the winter water level of the lake. The police department is prepared to enforce the boating and navigation ordinance for the upcoming summer season.
Middle Haddam Historic District Commission
Attorney D’Aquila is arranging a meeting regarding the questions for the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Dostaler provided an overview of the Board of Education meetings of January 30th and February 6th.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Resolution: Authorization to Sign State of Connecticut Documents Related to Transfer of a Wheelchair Assisted Motor Vehicle
The East Hampton Senior Center is receiving another vehicle under the 510 DOT grant program. The vehicle was released back to the Department of Transportation when the American Red Cross stopped providing Dial-A-Ride services in April 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to adopt the resolution authorizing John Weichsel to execute agreements and contracts with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation for the transfer of a wheelchair assisted motor vehicle. Voted (6-0).
Bids & Contracts
None
Appointments
None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $8,593.23. Voted (6-0).
Public Remarks
Ed Sawyers, 77 Barton Hill Road, commented on the Barton Hill grinder pump issue. He reviewed the letter and report received from the town and questioned the discrepancies. After Council discussion it was determined that Vin Susco would be asked to attend the next Council meeting, the first two engineer reports would be provided to Council and system plans would be provided at the next Council meeting.
Rob English, 81 Barton Hill Road, explained the issues he has had with his grinder pump.
Susan Fielding, 11 Lake Drive, commented that if special events at Sears Park offer free parking it should be advertised with the event. She also commented that the sound speakers at the meeting should be closer to the audience.
Frank Morgano, 20 North Ridge, asked further questions regarding veteran’s exemptions.
Pat Gauthier, Old Marlborough Road, commented on the microphones at meetings.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, thanked the Council for all they do. She also noted she learned a lot from the Public Forum for the Town Manager search.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on policies put in place to control legal costs. She asked that council consider reviewing contracts for legal services. She also suggested that Council hire an independent investigation into the Barton Hill grinder pump issue.
Chris Goff, 29 Wildwood Lane, agreed that an investigation should be done regarding Barton Hill.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented that there will be a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19th.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
Mr. Pfaffenbach reported that the Rotary Club has had the bow and arrow sign near the lake refurbished. It will be put up in the spring.
Mr. Hintz passed along a message from Ms. Moore who was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. She would like a report from the police department regarding the number of recent robberies.
Mr. Hintz commented on a comment that Mr. Dostaler made at a recent Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Weintraub reported that a letter received from the owner of Lakeshore Package store has been passed on to Planning & Zoning regarding liquor regulations.
Ms. Weintraub provided Mr. Weichsel with a copy of a letter from the Watchtower regarding canvassing of public ministries.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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