Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Susan Weintraub, Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono, Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach and Town Manager Michael Maniscalco.
Not Present: Ted Hintz, Jr. and Derek Johnson
Executive Session
- Discussion of Market Pricing for Solar Project
- CHRO 1140106 – Shepard v. Town
- CHRO 1140107 – Shepard v. O’Keefe
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to enter Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Present in Executive Session were Susan Weintraub, Glenn Suprono, Kyle Dostaler, Barbara Moore, George Pfaffenbach and Town Manager Michael Maniscalco. John Shortsleeve from Bay State Consultants and Scott Minnick from the Board of Education were present for the Discussion of Market Pricing for the Solar Project.
Executive Session ended at 6:30 p.m.
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. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the agenda as written. Voted (5-0).
Possible Action on Executive Session Discussion
A motion was made by Mr. Pfaffenbach, seconded by Mr. Suprono to direct the Town Manager to move forward on what was discussed in Executive for CHRO 1140106 – Shepard v. Town and CHRO 1140107 – Shepard v. O’Keefe. Voted (5-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting of March 5, 2013 as written. Voted (4-0-1) Ms. Moore abstained as she was not present at the meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of February 26, 2013 as written. Voted (4-0-1) Ms. Weintraub abstained as she was not present at the meeting.
Public Remarks
Don Coolican, West Lane, commented that he feels that solar is an inefficient way to create electricity.
Presentation
Solar Power Procurement Project for Memorial School and Wastewater Treatment Plan
Brent Eskay from Solar City was present to provide a presentation on the proposed solar project at Memorial School and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. A copy of the presentation will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. The Council would like to see a rendering of the solar arrays on the school and the treatment plant.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to authorize the Town Manager to execute the Power Purchase Agreement on behalf of the Town to facilitate the construction of solar canopy arrays at Memorial School and the Wastewater Treatment Plant with the caveat that the Town Council will review the contract prior to being executed and have Solar City prepare a photo rendering of the what the areas will look like upon completion. Voted (4-1) Ms. Moore against.
Bids & Contracts
CRRA Contract
At the prior meeting the Council had asked for the differences between a 5 year and 15 year contract with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Agency (CRRA). The difference in the contracts gives a savings of $2 per ton for the longer contract. Mr. Maniscalco noted that there is no way to ensure that any savings would be passed on to the residents in the cost of their waste removal.
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Ms. Moore, to enter into a 15 year contract with CRRA. Voted (5-0).
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
High School Building Project
The Board of Finance did not yet meet to vote on the High School project. There were concerns regarding the cost of remediating PCB’s in the school so the Capital Region Education Council (CREC) felt the numbers should be reviewed before a vote is taken. This item will be brought back to the Council after the Board of Finance votes on the project. Explanatory text for the project will be presented at the next Council meeting.
Draft Tax Deferral Program Ordinance
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed the draft tax deferral ordinance. He would like to put together a small committee to review the document. There was also a suggestion to rescind the current resolution.
Review of Draft Fire Marshal Ordinance
A draft ordinance was prepared by the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal will attend the next Council meeting to answer questions from Council.
Review of WPCA Ordinance
The Council discussed defining roles, responsibilities and reporting changes in the WPCA ordinance.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to direct the Town Manager to draft changes to the WPCA ordinance for changes in authority at WPCA. Voted (5-0).
Adoption of Fair Housing Resolutions
Each year the Town of East Hampton readdresses its commitment to and support of the principles and practices of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. This effort also meets requirements for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program and is important for any future application requests.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to adopt the East Hampton Fair Housing Resolution, Fair Housing Policy Statement, Title VI Equal Opportunity Statement and Affirmative Action Policy Statement. Voted (5-0).
Continued Business
Support of Proposed State Bill Regarding Municipal Mandates
State Representative Melissa Ziobron introduced a bill for an act requiring a two-thirds vote to enact new municipal mandates. It was requested that the town provide a letter of support for the bill.
A motion was made by Mr. Pfaffenbach, seconded by Ms. Moore, to direct the Town Manager to write a letter in support of the State Bill for an act requiring a two-thirds vote to enact new municipal mandates. Voted (5-0).
New Business
Public Safety Committee
Ms. Weintraub suggested creating a Public Safety Committee that could advise and make recommendations on public safety issues and policies. This item will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Town Manager Request for Additional Authority
Mr. Maniscalco reported that there are some personnel issues in the Police Department that need to be addressed and some will be carried forward longer than the Interim Police Chief’s term and need to be dealt with prior to the new Chief’s arrival. According to the Charter the Town Manager can do any job as long as the Council has supplied the authority to do so.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to exempt this item from the 2nd reading policy. Voted (5-0).
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to allow the Town Manager to have personnel authority for the Police Department until a new Police Chief is hired. Voted (5-0).
Approval of Emergency Plan for Registrar of Voters
The Registrar of Voters, in accordance with State requirements, have provided an emergency plan that needs to be approved by Town Council. The Council asked how the plan was developed and whether it was reviewed by the town attorney. This item will be brought back to the Council with more information.
VFW Request for Additional Memorial Day Parade Funding
The VFW is requesting an additional $500 for the Memorial Day parade so they can have the rider-less horse in honor of the soldiers that have been lost. The Council asked why a horse from a farm outside of East Hampton is being used. They asked that the VFW check within the community and confirm the total cost.
Town Manager Report
Mr. Maniscalco reported the following:
- The Board of Fire Commissioners are reviewing the fire truck bids
- Oral boards for the police chief position will be held at the end of March
- The Town and Board of Education budget meetings were rescheduled from March 8th to March 15th. The Board of Finance will meet on Tuesday, March 19th for a presentation of the budget by the Town Manager and Board of Education.
- A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. for the CDBG grant process
- The facilities manager position has been advertised
- Dan Tegolini was appointed to the Economic Development Commission with a term through 2016
Liaison Reports
None
Board & Commission Liaison Reports
Mary Ann Dostaler from the Board of Finance commented on the Fire Marshal ordinance and the opportunity for the town to collect revenues from the fees and fines.
Appointments
None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $715.29. Voted (5-0).
Public Remarks
None
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
The theme for Old Home Day will be Broadway Musicals.
Ms. Weintraub passed along a letter regarding cell towers and she also received two letters from Aquarion water regarding available grants and an increase in rates.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Voted (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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