Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Susan Weintraub, Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono, Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach and Town Manager Michael Maniscalco.
Not Present: 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
Mr. Dostaler requested an item for Planning & Zoning under Appointments.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the agenda as amended. Voted (6-0).
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of May 28, 2013 as written. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of June 11, 2013 as amended. Voted (6-0).
Public Remarks
Paul Hoffman, 11 Champion Hill Road, commented on the emergency plan for the Registrars.
Presentations
Ethics Commission Regarding Ordinance Changes
David Gizewicz, Chairman of the Ethics Commission, provided a presentation on the proposed changes to the Ethics Commission. The presentation will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Police Standard Operating Procedures
Police Chief Sean Cox and Attorney Daigle provided a presentation on the first portion of the Police Standard Operating Procedures that are being revised. The binders containing the procedures will be available for the Council to review in the Town Manager’s Office and a PDF is also available.
C-Pace Program
This item was cancelled and will be held at a future meeting.
Bids & Contracts
Playground Equipment Replacement
Mr. Maniscalco provided an overview of the request for approval of the bid for playground equipment at Memorial and Center Schools. The agenda report will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to award the purchase of the playground equipment in the amount of $48,714.00 to M.E. O’Brien & Sons, Inc. using the DAS price schedule. Voted (6-0).
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
C-Pace Resolution
This item will be revisited after the C-Pace presentation on July 9th.
Proposed Change to Commission on Aging Ordinance
Mr. Maniscalco provided an overview of the proposed changes to the Commission on Aging ordinance. An additional correction will be made to the wording regarding alternates.
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Dostaler to send the ordinance with the additional changes for the Commission on Aging to a public hearing on July 9, 2013 at 6:15 p.m. Voted (6-0).
LCRVCOG GIS Project
Mr. Maniscalco provided an overview of the GIS project being proposed by the Lower CT River Valley Council of Governments (LCRVCOG). The COG is working to develop a region-wide GIS map of the already existing maps from each community. To gain permission to share this information the Council will need to adopt a resolution.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to adopt the resolution for the Regional Planning Incentive Program. Voted (6-0).
Continued Business
Awards Program Investigation Regarding Request from Dr. Brown
The Council reviewed a letter from former Fire Chief Paul Owen and former Fire Commissioner Dr. Richard Brown regarding an investigation into the Fire department awards program. Additional emails that were received will be provided to all Council members regarding the awards program. The Council will provide bullet-points for the next meeting as to what information needs clarification. Mr. Maniscalco noted that a process is being put in place for the Human Resources and awards program information to be handled through the Town Hall.
Emergency Contingency Plan for Elections
At the prior Council meeting, the Council voted to approve the Registrar’s Emergency Plan. Dale Maynard, Moderator, read a statement regarding the plan and submitted a more inclusive proposal. His statement will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office. There was discussion as to who should review the plan. Mr. Maynard’s document will be provided to all Council members.
New Business
13 Summit Street
A short presentation was given by John Matthews, architect for the owner of 13 Summit Street, on the proposed project at that address. He is requesting permission to connect to the Village Center Water System. The project needs approval by WPCA, Planning & Zoning, the Town Manager and the Chatham Health District. This item will return to Council in July.
Employee Handbook
The Council was provided a copy of proposed revisions to the Employee Handbook. The revisions were prepared by a town employee committee and were reviewed by an attorney. The Council is asked to provide feedback to the Town Manager prior to the July 9th meeting for possible approval at that meeting. The handbook would then go to the bargaining units for approval.
Goff House Lease
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed a letter from the Goff House indicating they are looking to lease out the property. As the Town had transferred the property to the Goff House, the Council will need to vote to waive the right of first refusal on the property.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to waive the second reading policy for this item. Voted (6-0).
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to waive the right of first refusal to lease the Goff House. Voted (6-0).
Town Manager Report
Statewide Emergency Management Drill
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed the statewide emergency drill that was held on June 22nd. He noted his disappointment in the drill as the town received only one emergency situation to deal with. He will be sharing his disappointment with the State Emergency Management Director.
Concession Stand at Sears Park
The Council discussed the decision that was made to not open the concession stand at Sears Park this summer.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to open the concession stand at Sears Park for the month of July. Voted (6-0).
Clean Energy Task Force
Mr. Maniscalco noted that the Clean Energy Task Force held their first meeting in June. The group is excited to get to work.
Agriculture Workshop
An Agriculture Workshop will be held on Thursday, June 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Status of Assessment Deferral Program
The Economic Development Commission is working on the Assessment Deferral Program. They are developing a rubric to score properties that request the deferral.
Ms. Moore asked about the Aquarion Water rate increases and asked how many residents will be affected by the increase.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Dostaler attended the Board of Education Meeting. This was Mr. Winzler’s last meeting and the new Superintendent begins on July 1st. The Board approved end of year transfers and reviewed an increase in school lunch prices.
Mr. Hintz commented on the use of the emergency notification system by the Board of Education.
Board & Commission Liaison Reports
None
Appointments
Planning & Zoning
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to appoint Meg Wright to fill the open position on the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term through December 31, 2013. Voted (6-0).
Tax Refunds
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $2,071.71.09. Voted (6-0).
Public Remarks
Anne Wales, East Hampton Representative for the Central Regional Tourism District, provided an update from the June meeting of the Tourism district. The Governor approved funding in the budget for the district. Events can be submitted to the district’s web page. She also noted the goal of the district is education regarding the website.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
A CCM report was reviewed that indicated that cities and towns can assess partially constructed structures.
Governor Malloy approved $5 million in emergency assistance to farmers.
Mr. Hintz commented on the letter from Ms. Lanzi that was presented at the last meeting that it should be read into the minutes. Mr. Suprono explained why the letter was not read as he felt it was an attack on a person not a position. The letter will be included with the minutes from the June 11th meeting when filed in the Town Clerk’s Office
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Dostaler to enter Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.
Voted (6-0).
Executive Session
- Update on Attorney Client Privileged Communications Regarding a Complaing
Present in Executive Session: Susan Weintraub, Glenn Suprono, Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach.
- Discussion of Performance Evaluation for Town Manager
Present in Executive Session: Susan Weintraub, Glenn Suprono, Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach.
Executive Session ended at 9:36 p.m.
Possible Action on Executive Session Discussion
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to authorize the Town Council Chairperson to communicate the Town Council’s decision that there will be no further action taken on this complaint. Voted (6-0).
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adjourn the meeting at 9:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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