Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Susan Weintraub, Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono and Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Derek Johnson, Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach. 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 Weintraub called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library.
Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the agenda as presented. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of February 18, 2012 as amended and the Town Council Special Meeting of March 11, 2012 as written. Voted (6-0-1) Mr. Hintz abstained as he was not present at the meetings.
Public Remarks
Frank Morgano, 20 North Ridge, thanked the Council, the Assessor and the Town Attorney for their work on the veteran’s exemption clarification for active duty servicemen.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the Board of Finance workshops that were held on Friday. She also noted there is a budget deliberations meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 20th and other budget meetings are scheduled.
Matthew Walton, Sherry Drive, requested that Tom O’Brien be appointed to the open seat on the Board of Finance.
Rowland Rux, 129 Wopowog Road, asked that Jim Sennett be reappointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission as well as the alternates that are currently up for reappointment.
Richard Gosselin, 23 Hills Avenue, asked that the current members of the Planning & Zoning Commission be reappointed prior to the April Planning & Zoning meeting.
Mark Philhower, Chairman of Planning & Zoning, asked that reappointments for Planning & Zoning be done prior to their April meeting.
Presentations
Fire Commission
Richard Dufour, Acting Temporary Chairman of the Fire Commission provided an overview of the Fire Department. Copies of the Powerpoint slides will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Ms. Weintraub discussed the needs for the kitchen at the Company #1 firehouse. She noted the Emergency Operations Center cannot be in the same building as the shelter so the High School is not allowed as the Emergency Operation Center. She noted that the town will need to look into solutions to upgrade the kitchen at the Company #1 Fire House.
Ms. Weintraub also discussed a press release asking for volunteer firefighters.
Continued Business
New Town Manager Recruitment
Ms. Weintraub reported that there are 24 candidates at this time for the Town Manager position. The recruiting consultant, Lorraine Baltimore, will prepare summaries on the candidates. A tentative meeting is planned for March 31st with Ms. Baltimore to review the applications. Interviews will be scheduled for the second weekend in April. The timeline is extended approximately two weeks due to the job being posted for two additional weeks per a recommendation from Ms. Baltimore.
Volunteer Recognition for April
Ms. Weintraub spoke to JoAnn Ewing from the Senior Center. A dedication for the Senior Center may take place in April and there was discussion to combine the dedication and the volunteer recognition gathering. The tentative date is April 22nd. More information will be provided.
New Business
Discuss Board of Finance Appointment
Henry Thorpe (R) has resigned from the Board of Finance. An opinion letter from 2006 from Attorney D’Aquila was reviewed which indicates the Town Council fills the vacancy by appointment. A letter was received from George Coshow of the Republican party recommending Don Martin be appointed. Ms. Weintraub received correspondence from John Moore of the Democratic party recommending Tom O’Brien. The Council discussed whether the appointment should be made from the same party as the departing member or if it should be the next highest vote getter from the election.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to appoint Don Martin (R) to the open position on the Board of Finance. Voted (3-4). Mr. Hintz, Mr. Suprono and Mr. Johnson in favor. Mr. Pfaffenbach, Ms. Moore, Mr. Dostaler and Ms. Weintraub against. Motion does not carry.
A motion was made by Mr. Pfaffenbach, seconded by Ms. Moore, to appoint Tom O’Brien (D) to the open position on the Board of Finance. Voted (4-3) Mr. Pfaffenbach, Ms. Moore, Mr. Dostaler and Ms. Weintraub in favor. Mr. Hintz, Mr. Suprono and Mr. Johnson against.
Connecticut Open House Day – June 9, 2012
The Connecticut Office of Tourism is sponsoring the 8th annual CT Open House Day on Saturday, June 9th. The one day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art and tourism to CT residents. The Economic Development Commission will be involved and possibly the Parks & Recreation department.
Interim Town Manager Report
Implementation of Spellman Point Report
Mr. Weichsel met with the staff liaisons for the Planning & Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency. Some changes have been made already and it was communicated to the staff members the Council’s view that they should aggressively pursue any other items from the report. Ms. Weintraub provided Mr. Weichsel sample documents from Mr. Pagini pertaining to applications for the commissions.
Town Communication System for Emergency Plan
A meeting will be scheduled in the near future.
Status and Update on General Statute 1-217 regarding Act Concerning the Exemption from Disclosure of Certain Addresses under FOIA
Attorney D’Aquila provided an overview of Statute 1-217 which prohibits the disclosure of residential addresses of certain Federal, State and Municipal employees. The governor signed a bill on March 6, 2012 with amendments to the statute. Some amendments take place immediately and some take place as of June 1st. A copy of the Governor’s bill will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Plan of Conservation & Development Implementation Plan Update
Mr. Weichsel provided an update to the Plan of Conservation & Development Implementation Plan. This will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Lake Pocotopaug Drawdown Fact Sheet
Mr. Weichsel will be working with Mr. Bevin to create a fact sheet regarding the lake drawdown.
Watershed Signs
Mr. Weichsel reported that the final watershed sign was installed today.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Dostaler attended the Board of Education meeting on March 12th. A motion was passed for the Memorial School Roof project.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Resolution: Establishing the East Hampton High School Building Committee
Mr. Dostaler read the following resolution for the High School Building Committee: Be it resolved that the East Hampton Town Council does hereby establish a building committee for the “High School Renovation Building Committee” consisting of the following individuals: Cynthia Abraham, Michele Barber, Thomas Cooke, Roy Gauthier, Stephen Karney, Sharon Smith, Michael Zimmerman, David Ninesling (alternate) and Tom Seydewitz (alternate). Said project shall be under the coordination, administration and general supervision of the Facilities Manager, Frank Grzyb.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the resolution for the High School Building Committee as read. Voted (7-0).
Proclamation: Recognizing Brian Ewing for Earning the Rank of Eagle Scout
Mr. Johnson read a proclamation for Brian Ewing who has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The Court of Honor will be held on Saturday May 19, 2012 at 4pm at the Congregational Church in East Hampton.
Bids & Contracts
None
Appointments
Commission on Aging: A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to reappoint Ann McLaughlin to the Commission on Aging. Voted (7-0).
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to reappoint Deborah McKinney, Daniel Roy and Mark Vickery to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Voted (7-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to reappoint James Sennett to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Voted (7-0).
Alternates for Planning & Zoning will be reappointed at the March 27th meeting.
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $322.97. Voted (7-0).
Public Remarks
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, encouraged the Council to adopt a policy for appointments to elected boards. She also asked about the status of the Village Center sign. Ms. Weintraub indicated that pricing has been received.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
Mr. Dostaler noted that Gail Hamm has decided not to run again for State Representative and suggested that the Town prepare a proclamation. Ms. Moore noted that the Democratic Town Committee will be doing something for Ms. Hamm after the session is over.
Ms. Weintraub reported that the first EDC Corner ran in the Rivereast. There will be a business breakfast on Thursday, March 15th at 7:30 am at the East Hampton Library.
East Hampton was also featured in the Top 10 List for Connecticut Magazine.
The regular meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
Executive Session: Discuss Town’s Next Step in Response to Barton Hill Road Homeowners’s Attorney’s Correspondence
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Hintz, to enter Executive Session at 8:15 p.m.
Present in Executive Session were Chairperson Susan Weintraub, Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono, Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Derek Johnson, Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach, Interim Town Manager John Weichsel, Town Attorney Jean D’Aquila, Public Utilities Administrator Vincent Susco and Chairman of the Water Pollution Control Authority Mark Barmasse.
Executive Session ended at 9:08 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
