Town of East Hampton
Town Council Special Meeting/Executive Session
Thursday, August 30, 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 (arrived at 6:36 p.m.), Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach. Also present was Town Manager Michael Maniscalco.
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Weintraub called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the East Hampton High School Library.
Chairperson Weintraub outlined the purpose of the special meeting, provided a brief overview for the discussion and emphasized the importance of looking at the future of the Fire Commission. She also thanked former Chairman David Simko, former Commissioner Dr. Richard Brown and Mr. Dean Michelson for their years of service to the Fire Department and the community.
Mr. Maniscalco shared that he met with a few of the fire commissioners and it proved to be positive, productive and very insightful discussions. He also stated that he had a conversation with the Finance Director and was assured that even though the Fire Commission isn’t in its full capacity to approve invoices; the Town will make sure those bills are paid. He also explained the comprehensive safety review that all Town Departments are taking part in to help identify current and/or future needs.
Public Comments
Martin Swan, 293 West High Street, complimented the Town Council for their speedy response. Mr. Swan also questioned who the Fire Chief answers to with the lack of a Fire Commission. The Town Council responded that needs to be determined.
Hunt Voelker, 53 Chestnut Hill, supports having a Fire Commission and suggests enforcing the liaison of the Board of Fire Commission to the Town Council.
John Basso, 40 Chestnut Hill, suggests having staggered term limits to the Fire Commission members.
Discussion of the Future Fire Commission
Chairperson Weintraub stated that the deadline to submit an application for the Fire Commission is Friday, September 7, 2012, and encourages all community members, men and women, to apply.
Mr. Dostaler outlined the process and timeline for filling the three vacancies on the Fire Commission, which includes receiving and reviewing qualified applications, contacting applicants and scheduling interviews with the sub-committee and possibly appointing candidates at the September 25, 2012 Town Council meeting.
Mr. Dostaler also added that the Fire Commission Ordinance and any related documents will be put on the Town website for community members to view.
Mr. Johnson encourages community members to apply and hopes these vacancies are filled promptly. Mr. Suprono agreed.
Ms. Moore voiced it is important to set term limits for commission members.
Mr. Pfaffenbach supports the process and looks forward to having a full commission.
Mr. Hintz supports keeping the Fire Commission and suggests that the purchase of the fire truck be postponed until the Fire Commission is in place.
The Members also discussed forming a committee sometime in the near future to review and revise the existing Fire Commission Ordinance and Bylaws.
With no further input, Chairperson Weintraub concluded the discussion of the Future Fire Commission.
Executive Session: Strategy regarding Barton Hill Grinder Pump Lawsuit
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to enter Executive Session at 6:50 p.m. Voted (7-0).
Present in Executive Session: Chairperson Susan Weintraub, Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono and Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Derek Johnson, Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach and Town Manager Michael Maniscalco. Mr. Hintz recused himself from the executive session discussion.
Executive Session ended at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Soulagnet
Recording Secretary
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