Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 8, 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 Ms. Moore, to adopt the agenda as written. Voted (7-0)
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of September 24, 2013 as amended. Voted (7-0)
Public Remarks
Judy Berg, Flatbrook Road, commented on the Agriculture Commission ordinance and the cost of impound areas for animals.
Dan Tegolini, Whispering Woods and member of EDC, commented on the Agriculture Commission ordinance and talked about local product.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, supports an Agriculture Commission.
Judy Berg, Flatbrook Road, commented on the Agriculture Commission ordinance and high taxes for farmers.
Mary Krogh, 92 Young Street, commented on the Agriculture Commission ordinance with three suggestions - 2 members being from the agriculture community is not enough, it should be at least 4; the animal control officer should be a non-voting member and all members should belong to the Farm Bureau.
Donald Burr, 29 Bay Road, commented on the need for water for the Chatham Historical Society.
Roger Lawson, 49 Waterhole Road, asked if the Agriculture Commission would be a place to bring complaints.
Tim Cavanaugh, 202 Hog Hill Road, commented on the Agriculture Commission ordinance noting that he agrees that 4 members should be from the agriculture community. He asked what the agricultural background is of those that would be choosing the members.
Carrie Comisky, 62 Wopowog Road, commented on the number of animals that are really in the town/state as opposed to what is reported.
Judy Berg, Flatbrook Road, commented on pets vs. farm animals.
Presentations
Introduction of New Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Facility Director
Superintendent of Schools Diane Dugas introduced the new Assistant Superintendent Tim Van Tassel.
Presentation on Fire Department Awards Program Investigation
David Grindle of Marcum LLP provided a review of the Fire Department awards program investigation. They interviewed several individuals involved in the process, reviewed documents from 2006 to 2012 and the report prepared by Mr. Maniscalco and reviewed the trust agreement from 1988. They recalculated the percentages and found minor differences. They were not able to be provided the original reports so the reports needed to be reprinted in August, 2013. Due to this they were not able to determine if any information was missing. They concluded that they do not believe there were any material misrepresentations. They believe the investigation should be concluded at this point and provide recommendations for moving forward.
Bids & Contracts
None
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations
Agriculture Commission Ordinance
The Council reviewed the revised draft ordinance. They made a change to the number of members of the agricultural community be at least 3 and that the Animal Control Officer be an ex-officio member.
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Pfaffenbach, to adopt the Agriculture Commission Ordinance as amended. Voted (7-0)
Business Incentive Ordinance
The Council reviewed the revised draft ordinance. They asked that a letter be written to the Economic Development Commission thanking them for their work on the ordinance.
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adopt the Business Incentive Ordinance as written. Voted (7-0)
Public Safety Facility Committee Resolution
Mr. Johnson provided a new draft resolution for the Public Safety Facility Committee. The recommended changes included removing references to alternates and adding a time period of 18 months after formation of the group to provide a report to Council.
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to waive the second reading policy for this item. Voted (5-2) Ms. Moore and Mr. Hintz against.
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to adopt the resolution for the Public Safety Facility Committee as amended. Voted (5-2) Ms. Moore and Mr. Hintz against.
Continued Business
End of Year Transfers FY 2012-13
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the budget transfers as presented for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The list of transfers will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. Voted (7-0)
Board of Education 2013 Special Education Excess Cost Additional Appropriation
A motion was made by Mr. Hintz, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to approve the additional appropriation from state grant revenue as presented. The details will be included with the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office. Voted (7-0)
New Business
Authorization for Municipal Grants-In-Aid
In order for the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management to provide the Town with grant funds for 2014-2015 they need an authorization letter signed by the Town Manager. The Council needs to make a motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Authorization for Municipal Grants-In-Aid. This item will be presented at the next Council meeting for a second reading.
Appointment of Moderator for High School Lighting Project Town Meeting
Ms. Weintraub reported that the moderator for the High School Lighting Project Town Meeting will be Dale Maynard.
Town Manager Report
Police SOP Update
The meeting date for chapter 7 of the Standard Operating Procedures will be October 23rd in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 6:00 p.m.
Emergency Generator Update for Town Facilities
The contracts have been signed and the work should begin soon.
Update on Memorial School Solar Panels
A conference call was held on October 4th with CCM to discuss the progress of the ZREC auction. To date CL&P has only released about half of the proposed ZREC awards. It is unclear what is taking CL&P so much time to make these awards.
Update on 13 Summit Street
This item is under discussion during Executive Sessions and is not for public information at this point.
Update on Chatham Historical Society Water
As the Council had requested the Town Manager had a meeting with the Historical Society. It was decided that the best method to proceed would be to request funds from the Town to get the Historical Society water. As a result, the Historical Society will be requesting a recommendation from the Board of Finance for approximately $65,000.
Other
A survey that will be done by the Police Department was distributed to Council members.
Ms. Moore asked that the Council invite the town attorney that represented the Town Clerk in court for the ballot issues to explain the process and answer questions as well as a summary of the legal fees.
Mr. Maniscalco reported that he has appointed Melissa Guerrero to the Economic Development Commission with a term through 2015 and has reappointed Irene Curtis to the Conservation-Lake Commission with a term through 2017.
Town Council Liaison Reports
None
Board & Commission Liaison Reports
None
Appointments
Design Review Board
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to reappoint Kevin Burnham to the Design Review Board with a term through June 30, 2015. Voted (7-0)
Ethics Commission
A motion was made by Mr. Dostaler, seconded by Mr. Suprono, to appoint Lori Weech to the Ethics Commission with a term through April 30, 2018. Voted (7-0)
Tax Refunds
A motion was made Mr. Suprono, seconded by Mr. Dostaler, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $1,245.29. Voted (7-0)
Public Remarks
Ted Turner, 223 Hog Hill Road, asked if the presentation by the attorney regarding the election would be public session or executive session. It was answered that it would be public session.
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements
Ms. Weintraub reported that the prescription discount card was used 312 times by residents for a $14,400 savings.
The regular meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
Executive Session
Potential Purchase of Property
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Ms. Moore, to enter Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. Voted (7-0)
Present in Executive Session were Susan Weintraub, Glenn Suprono, Kyle Dostaler, Ted Hintz, Jr., Derek Johnson, Barbara Moore, George Pfaffenbach and Town Manager Michael Maniscalco.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Suprono, seconded by Ms. Moore, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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