Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 24, 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. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the agenda as presented. Voted (7-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of April 10, 2012 as amended and the Special Meetings of April 12, 14, 19 and 20, 2012 as written. Voted (6-0-1) Mr. Johnson abstained as she was not present at the regular meeting.
Public Remarks
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented on the Board of Education budget and past increases for some Board of Education staff.
Ann McLaughlin, 85 North Main Street, thanked the Council for reappointing her to the Commission on Aging. She also reported there will be a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony on Memorial Day in the Village Center. She also noted that Marlborough and East Haddam will be starting yellow ribbon programs.
Karen Johansmeyer, Penny Corner Road, Portland, CT, commented that she is in the East Hampton Fife & Drum Corps. She asked for a town wide forum to help preserve the corps.
Ruth Tegge, 5 Niles Street, commented that more should be cut from the education budget. She also commented on an issue with cars turning around in her yard and asked about signing options to assist on Niles Street.
Bids & Contracts
None
Presentations
Friends of the Lake
Steve Diemer, Chairman of the Friends of the Lake, provided an overview of their goals related to the lake. They are a non-profit group of volunteers dedicated to the improvement of the lake and its environs. Their website is ehflp.org which has a good deal of information.
Conservation-Lake Commission
Peter Zawisza, Chairman of the Conservation-Lake Commission provided an overview of the accomplishments and goals of the Commission. Lake Clean Up Day is Saturday, April 28th beginning at 9:00 a.m. They are mailing a brochure to all of the households in the lake watershed, approximately 1100 homes. They have purchased a topographic model of the lake watershed that is on display at the Town Hall. They are co-hosting educational workshops with the Friends of the Lake. They are working with Center School to create a mascot for the lake.
Continued Business
New Town Manager Recruitment Update
The Town Council completed 2nd interviews on April 20th. The candidates will be discussed in executive session following tonight’s regular meeting.
Transfer of $23,000 from Capital Reserve Fund Contingency account to fund Senior Center Equipment
Finance Director Jeff Jylkka reported that the funds for the two items were originally in capital for 2012-2013. At the request of the Board of Finance they wanted to finance these costs prior to July 1, 2012. The Capital Reserve fund does have a contingency account. The funds in this account come from interest earnings. The Board of Finance approved this transfer from contingency. The original grant for the Senior was $750,000. There was an additional $100,000 allocated for cost overruns. There is approximately $7,200 left from the $100,000. Mr. Hintz expressed his concern regarding using contingency funds.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the transfer of $23,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund Contingency account to fund Senior Center furniture ($10,000) and a room partition ($13,000) as recommended by the Board of Finance on 3/26/2012. Voted (6-1) Mr. Hintz against.
Town Budget Discussion
The Council discussed the budget as presented by the Board of Finance. Ms. Weintraub recommended an additional $125,000 be cut from the Board of Education budget. Mr. Hintz proposed cutting the half year engineer from the Public Works budget.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to reduce the 2012-2013 Board of Education budget by $125,000 and to send the budget to the town meeting on April 30, 2012 and the referendum on May 8, 2012. Voted (5-2) Mr. Hintz and Mr. Pfaffenbach against.
New Business
Town Consultant RFQs
The Council discussed initiating RFQ’s for town consultants such as the town attorney firms, engineers and other consultants.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to initiate the RFQ process for town consultants. Voted (7-0).
Moderator Appointment for Town Meeting/Referendum
Ms. Weintraub appointed Paul Hoffman as the moderator for the Town Meeting.
Interim Town Manager Report
Progress on Barton Hill Sewer Issue
Mr. Weichsel distributed an evaluation report from Wright Pierce on the Barton Hill grinder pumps. The report will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Progress Report on Town Employee Health Insurance
The town employee’s health insurance will change as of July 1, 2012 from Anthem Blue Cross to CIGNA.
Update on Implementation of Recommendations from 68 Spellman Point Report
Reports were presented from Keith Hayden for Inland Wetlands and from Jim Carey for Planning and Zoning indicating changes that are being implemented based on the recommendations from the 68 Spellman Point report. The reports will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Town Communication System for Emergency Plan
A meeting was held to discuss the Everbridge system and the process to get the word out to the residents. It was noted that all published phone numbers in the white pages are included in the system already. Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th.
Lake Pocotopaug Draw Down Fact Sheet
Mr. Weichsel has asked a member of the Conservation-Lake Commission to prepare a fact sheet on the lake drawdown.
Livestock/Fencing Ordinance Update
Mr. Weichsel met with Ms. Weintraub, Jim Carey and Animal Control Officer Michael Olzacki to review possible ordinances related to livestock and fencing.
Summary Report
Mr. Weichsel provided an overview of his accomplishments as the Interim Town Manager including the Pinebrook culvert replacement project; the four year road project; change in town hall Tuesday hours to 6:30 p.m.; Police union one year contract rollover; completed Police grievances; work on the Barton Hill grinder pump issues; and consolidation of animal control with East Haddam.
Other
Mr. Hintz question whether the office that is involved in the current investigation is on administrative leave. Mr. Weichsel replied that he is not on leave.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Dostaler provided an overview of the Board of Education Meeting of April 23, 2012.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
None
Appointments
None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Hintz, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $343.20. Voted (7-0).
Public Remarks
Mark Lorah, 26 Champion Hill Road, noted that the High School Building Committee should review the efficiency of the heating system at the High School. He also commented on the Neighbor to Neighbor program and asked the Council for a liaison to the Clean Energy Task Force.
Ann McLaughlin, 85 North Main Street, asked for clarification on the white page information in the Everbridge system.
Pat Gauthier, 6 Old Marlborough Road, thanked John Weichsel for his work with the town. She also noted that the Protectors of Animals now has a facility in the old dog pound.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, thanked John Weichsel for helping steer the town this past year. She noted as a Board of Finance member she appreciates the Council’s discussions on the budget. She supports the additional cut to the Board of Education budget. She is also an advocate for the engineer position.
Bill Marshall, 6 Fairlawn Avenue, thanked the Council and Board of Finance for their work on the budget.
Kevin Reich, 9 Arch Drive, thanked John Weichsel from himself and Dr. Golden who was not able to make it to the meeting. He also commented on prior public comments regarding the Board of Education budget. He appreciates the work the Town Council and Board of Finance have done on the budget.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the town has purchased 50 signs to be put out on referendum day stating “Budget Vote Today”.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
Ms. Weintraub notified Town Council members of an awards dinner for the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce on June 6th.
The regular meeting ended at 9:00 p.m.
Executive Session: New Town Manager Search: Discuss Candidates and Process
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to enter Executive Session at 9:05 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 and Recruitment Consultant Lorraine Baltimore.
Executive Session ended at 10:25 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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