Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Susan Weintraub and Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach. Also present were Town Manager Michael Maniscalco, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono and Derek Johnson
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 Mr. Pfaffenbach, to add the Appointment of Fire Commission Member to the agenda. Voted (3-2) Mr. Dostaler and Ms. Weintraub against. Motion does not carry.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to adopt the agenda as written. Voted (3-2). Mr. Hintz and Mr. Pfaffenbach against. Motion does not carry.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the agenda as written. Voted (3-2). Mr. Hintz and Mr. Pfaffenbach against. Motion does not carry.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to add the Appointment of Fire Commission Member to the agenda. Voted (5-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of December 11, 2012 and the Special Meeting of December 27, 2012 as amended. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks
Marty Swan, West High Street, questioned the reasoning behind adding two more members to the Fire Commission. He suggested letting the present commission work until August to determine if more members are needed.
Presentations
None
Bids & Contracts
None
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Update on Changes to Fire Department Ordinance
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed the request that was received to allow the five current Fire Commission members to work until August, 2013 to determine if more members are needed. He met with several members of the fire department and Fire Commission. The Council members agreed to wait until August, 2013 to determine if additional members should be added to the Fire Commission.
Update on Ethics Commission Ordinance
There was a question at the last Council meeting regarding a recent ethics probable cause vote. It was questioned whether the decision needed four affirmative votes to pass. The Town Manager provided a memo from the Town Attorney that indicated that three votes was allowed. Discussion included whether the Ethics Commission is needed, can the State Ethics commission look into complaints in municipalities and the possibility of having seven members instead of five. There were two new members recently appointed to the Ethics Commission. The Town Manager will meet with the commission to discuss the ordinance and the rules and procedures for recommendations.
Discussion of Proclamations Honoring Eileen Daily and Gail Hamm
Proclamations will be prepared for Eileen Daily and Gail Hamm.
Resolution to Opt Into STEAP program
Due to town demographics, the state determines the eligibility of communities for STEAP. East Hampton is not formally considered a part of the STEAP program and needs to opt into the program by passing a resolution by the Town Council.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to adopt the resolution to opt into the STEAP program. Voted (5-0).
Continued Business
Chatham Health District – Wastewater Pumping & Permit to Discharge Regulation
Thad King, Health Director for the Chatham Health District, provided an overview and history of the Wastewater Pumping & Permit to Discharge Regulation. The summary document will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the program and the $30 fee being charged for the permit. A letter will be prepared by the Town Manager to be sent to the Chatham Health District Board regarding the permit fee.
Update on Fire Truck Progress
Mr. Maniscalco met with some fire department and Fire Commission members regarding the new fire truck and a timeline was established. They are putting together specifications for a bid package.
Fats/Oils/Grease (FOG) Pre-Treatment Options
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed a memo from the Town Attorney regarding alternatives to the Fats/Oils/Grease (FOG) ordinance. The memo will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to not move forward with the Fats/Oils/Grease (FOG) Ordinance. Voted (5-0).
82 Main Street Parking Lot
This item will be discussed at the next Council meeting.
Budget Policy Statement
The Council reviewed the Budget Policy Statement and made minor revisions. The final document will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to adopt the Budget Policy Statement as amended. Voted (5-0).
Update on East Hampton Police Department Retirements
Mr. Maniscalco reported that Chief Reimondo and Sergeant Kelly have accepted the retirement offer. The process of finding an interim Chief is now in progress.
New Business
Board of Education – Reallocation Requests
Server Room & Underground Wiring/Approval of Bid for Underground Services
Mr. Maniscalco provided an overview of the request for reallocation of funds for the Board of Education server room and undergrounding wiring. Ms. Weintraub indicated that she had requested information regarding the change in amp service from 100 to 400 amps. These items will be included on the next Council agenda. The agenda report detailing the request will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Sears Park Fees
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed the recommended fees for Sears Park. Council members had questions about the fee for electrical service at the pavilion, how many stickers are sold per year and the financial impact of no fee for residents. This item will be placed on the agenda for February 12th and Parks & Recreation Director Ruth Plummer will be in attendance to answer questions.
Town Manager Report
Mr. Maniscalco reported the following:
- He is working with Mr. Higgins regarding the emergency preparedness generators.
- He recommends Anchor Engineering as the new town engineering firm. They have signed a service agreement. It was noted this is a Town Manager appointment.
- Nineteen bids were received for the GPS units for the vehicles. Mr. Hayden is reviewing all of the details in the bids.
- A public hearing has not been held yet regarding the WPCA rate increase.
- The Town Council policies that have been put in place have been provided to Council for their reference.
- EPOCH Arts has been awarded the STEAP grant for their roof.
- CCM Municipal Leader training is available on March 13th.
Ms. Weintraub asked about the 262 open building permits. She asked for more information including how long they have been outstanding and why there are so many. Mr. Maniscalco will report back but indicated that memos are sent from the Building department to the Assessor’s office for completed certificates of occupancy.
Ms. Weintraub also noted that fines are not charged by the Building department. Fees and Fines will be discussed at the next Council meeting.
Liaison Reports
None
Board & Commission Liaison Reports
None
Appointments
Fire Commission Appointment
Marty Swan was allowed to provide a comment. He noted that a fire commission member is up for reappointment and has in limbo since the end of November. He strongly encourages the Council to reappoint him.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to appoint Steve Palmer to the Fire Commission. Voted (3-2) Mr. Dostaler and Ms. Weintraub against. Motion does not carry.
The Council members will be provided with copies of the applications from those that were previously interviewed for the Fire Commission and this item will be on the next Council agenda.
Interim Police Chief
Ms. Weintraub created a sub-committee for the hiring of an Interim Police Chief. The sub-committee will consist of Ms. Moore, Mr. Dostaler and Mr. Johnson. Ms. Weintraub will be an alternate.
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $1,234.34. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks
Rich Dufour, East Hayes Road, commented on Mr. Hintz’s remarks regarding the experience of the Fire commissioners, noting it is insulting to the Fire Commission.
Karen Johansmeyer, 16 Penny Corner Road, Portland, asked if changes to the Ethics ordinance would affect public speaking at meetings. She also asked if the Fife and Drum Corps could be involved when the proclamation is given to Gail Hamm.
Mike Rich, 64 Long Crossing Road, commented of the lack of progress for the new fire truck purchase. He feels the 3rd party involvement is causing delays. He also noted that careful consideration was given by the committee regarding the size of the truck and the tank. He also asked about the investigation of a former member of the Fire Commission.
Mr. Maniscalco noted that the Town Council asked the Town Manager to investigate the issue that above. He has collected the necessary documents and will be interviewing the individuals involved.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
Ms. Weintraub spoke with Senator Blumenthal’s office regarding the legislation relating to Newtown. It will be broken into three parts; gun control, mental health and school safety. They said the town could do a resolution to send to Governor Malloy and President Obama if desired.
The regular meeting ended at 9:20 p.m.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore to enter Executive Session at 9:33 p.m.
Present in Executive Session were Susan Weintraub, Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Barbara Moore, George Pfaffenbach and Michael Maniscalco
- Strategy/Negotiations Regarding Collective Bargaining
- Potential Purchase of Property
- Update on Town Legal Matters
- MMX-CV-11-6006256-S – Olzacki v. Town et al
- CHRO 1140107 – Shepard v. O’Keefe
- CHRO 1140106 – Shepard v. Town
- MMX-CV12-6008263-S – Sawyers, Edward Et Al v. Town of East Hampton Et Al
Executive Session ended at 10:05 p.m.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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