Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
East Hampton High School Library
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Susan Weintraub, Vice Chairman Glenn Suprono, Council Members Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Derek Johnson, Barbara Moore and George Pfaffenbach and Town Manager Michael Maniscalco.
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 adopt the agenda as written. 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 August 13, 2013 as written. Voted (7-0)
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting of August 19, 2013 as written. Voted (5-0-2) Mr. Johnson and Mr. Suprono abstained as they were not present at the meeting.
Public Remarks
John Jordon, 11 Clearwater Lane, noted his concern on the low level of the lake so early in the season. He also commented on eminent domain and dam inspections.
Ann McLaughlin, 85 North Main Street, noted that there will be a Yellow Ribbon Tying Ceremony on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Center. There will be a Welcome Home Ceremony in October.
Presentations
Introduction of New Public Works Director Philip Sissick
Mike Maniscalco introduced the new Director of Public Works Philip Sissick.
Bids & Contracts
Bid Award for Organizational Evaluation
Mr. Maniscalco provided an overview of the plans for the organizational evaluation.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to award the bid for the Organizational Evaluation to D.I. Jacobs Consulting for their alternate bid in the amount of $17,000. Voted (7-0)
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Proclamations for Review and Signatures
Proclamations were signed for National Senior Center Month and for Donald Markham.
Resolution for FFY2012 State Homeland Security Grant Program
Each year the town participates in numerous Homeland Security activities which requires a resolution from Town Council.
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to adopt the resolution for the FFY2012 State Homeland Security Grant Program. Voted (7-0)
Continued Business
Assessment Deferral Application – 130/13/140 East High Street
Steve Motto and Harry Freeman were present to answer questions from the Council regarding the assessment deferral application for their proposed project.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to grant the tax deferral for 130/138/140 East High Street as presented. Voted (7-0)
Brewer Road and Christopher Road Project Grant Match
The Council approved the Brewer Road and Christopher Road projects in 2012 however a funding source for the town match was not designated. The Council will need to make a motion to transfer funds from the Town Aid Road fund.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Johnson, that the Finance Director be authorized to transfer from the Town Aid Road Fund $123,700 to the Capital Initiatives Fund for the purpose of satisfying the local matching requirement for the Brewer Road and Christopher Brook projects. Voted (7-0)
Defined Contribution Plan
A motion was made by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to adopt the resolution to create a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Voted (7-0)
13 Summit Street
A letter was received from Mr. Zahavi’s attorney in response to the Town’s request. The letter will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. The Council discussed monthly consumption rates, prior year’s usage and possibilities for connecting the Chatham Historical Society building to the water system. The Council asked that Mr. Susco attend the September 24th meeting.
James Gooch, EDC member, commented on the redevelopment of the Village Center and noted it doesn’t seem fair to hold up a project by making the lack of water the developer’s problem instead of the town’s problem.
Discussion of Agricultural Workshop
Mr. Maniscalco reported that there were approximately 39 people at the last Agricultural Workshop. They reviewed the Agriculture Commission ordinance and the Right to Farm ordinance.
The Council reviewed the red-lined changes to the Agriculture ordinance and the Right to Farm ordinance. It was decided that Council members would provide additional comments to Mr. Maniscalco and the ordinances will be reviewed again at the next meeting.
Update on Assessment Deferral Ordinance and Possible Action to Set Public Hearing Date
Cindy Rooth and James Gooch from the EDC were available to answer questions. The Council reviewed the revised ordinance. The Council will review the revised ordinance further and provide comments to Mr. Maniscalco. This item will be on the next meeting agenda.
Public Safety Facility Committee
The Council reviewed the revised draft of the Public Safety Facility Committee resolution and discussed changes that keep the scope to an assessment of the facilities only. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
New Business
Emergency Preparedness Mobile Command Unit
The Emergency Management Director has applied for a grant to outfit the mobile command unit, which is an old ambulance donated to the Town by the East Hampton Volunteer Ambulance Association. The grant requires a match of $7,000.
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to waive the second reading policy for this item. Voted (7-0)
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the Mobile Command Unit project and authorize funds be transferred in the amount of $7,000 from the Emergency Preparedness Fund to the Civil Preparedness Mobile Command Unit fund. Voted (7-0)
High School Building Committee Quarterly Report No. 1
A quarterly report supplied by the High School Building Committee was reviewed and will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Town Manager Report
Police SOP Update and Next Meeting Date
A meeting date for the review of Chapters 5 and 6 will be forthcoming.
Quality of Life Legislative Update
Mr. Maniscalco reported that he received minimal feedback regarding the Quality of Life information distributed at the last meeting.
Update on High School Athletic Field Lighting Project
The High School Athletic Field Lighting Project went to Planning & Zoning for an 8-24 review. The resolution for the 8-24 review will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. A presentation will be given on the lighting project at the next Council meeting.
Priorities and Objectives Update
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed a chart of progress on the Priorities and Objectives being worked on by the Town’s leadership team.
Other
Mr. Maniscalco reviewed new state legislation for dam owners regarding a water management plan and inspections.
The Fire Department consultant has been meeting with the department to obtain documents, policies and procedures.
The fiber optic project is still in progress.
The solar panel project is waiting for the State to award the contract.
The air conditioning issue at the Senior Center is being addressed on Friday. It is unsure if there is a warranty on the installation but there would be a warranty on the coils if they are damaged.
The Town Clerk has requested that the Code Books be returned from the Council members in the next couple of weeks so they can be updated prior to the election.
Town Council Liaison Reports
Mr. Dostaler attended the August 26th Board of Education meeting. They reviewed a grant for technology, new technology that was installed in the summer, the Board of Education office electrical project and magnet school data.
Board & Commission Liaison Reports
None
Appointments
None
Tax Refunds
A motion was made Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $2,849.83. Voted (7-0)
Public Remarks
Cindy Rooth, 70 Viola Drive, commented that she is in favor of the 13 Summit Street project.
Angela Sarahina, 37 Old Middletown Avenue, commented that if the High School Athletic Field Lighting project was funded with the High School renovation project it would have been partially reimbursable by the State and spoke in favor of the Right to Farm ordinance.
Russ Oakes, Quiet Woods Road, commented on the good condition of the town cemeteries and the theft of equipment at the Senior Center.
Ted Turner, 223 Hog Hill Road, commented that he does not think the High School Athletic Field Lighting project would have been reimbursable. He also said the price now is less than when included with the project.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented on the Agriculture Commission and Right to Farm ordinance noting it is important to keep in mind the history and purpose of the commission which was a tool for Animal Control to deal with issues.
Fran Klein, Bellevue Street, thanked the Council for an enjoyable evening.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
Communications were received in support of the High School Athletic Fields Lighting project, information from the Attorney General regarding CT Water and letters from Christina MacNeal.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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