The Legislative Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 in the Conference Room of the C. H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman Rodgers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: W. Rodgers, D. Amaral, D. Brown, P. Baiad, J. Shpunt, M. Iassogna, J. Borst, F. Pennarola, J. Hemingway. ABSENT: T. Holian, J. DiCandido, R. Recht..
ALSO PRESENT: C. Hopper, Chairman, Economic Development Commission, and one member of public.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Douglas Brennan, 8 Antler Pine Road, is concerned about the contract procedures of the Town. He was against the contract between the Board of Education and Strategic Building Solutions (SBS) concerning the 5/6 School. Many of the duties in the contract were not provided, such as adhering to inspections and keeping daily logs. There have been two environmental disasters in the building, one involving mold and the oil spill. He asked that the Legislative Council act as prudently as possible and he would like town officials to carefully review contracts that will have a big impact.
MINUTES. The minutes of February 16, 2005 will be amended to note in First Selectman’s report “than” not “that” and “is as” not “as is” and under Acquisition of Open Space after Mr. Iassogna add “supported the purchase” and add “questioned the necessity and financial justification for Laurel Trail” and add “regarding the financial impact of” before “housing and population.” The minutes were unanimously accepted as amended.
COMMUNICATIONS. A letter was received from Dr. Pitkoff expressing gratitude for the support of the Legislative Council and Board of Finance concerning the Middle Gate water line.
The Library Board of Trustees sent budget information to the Council members. Mr. Rodgers will invite them to attend the first meeting of the Legislative Council at which the budget is presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS. None noted.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT. Mr. Rosenthal was not present.
OLD BUSINESS:
Business Incentive Plan from the Economic Development Commission. Mr. Hopper said he has not received final word on whether personal property can be abated but that the Economic Development Commission does not want to delay the program but wants to have something straightforward and simple to present to people coming into town. He said that this is a living document that can be changed at any time. The Board of Finance will be advised of any abatement over $25,000 at their request but they do not want to review all applications. Mr. Brown moved to approve the Business Incentive Plan created by the Economic Development Commission, second by Mr. Borst and unanimously carried.
Compliance with the Plan of Conservation and Development. Mr. Rodgers will attend the meeting on March 10.
NEW BUSINESS.
Resolution appropriating $1,000,000 for the Reed Intermediate School Oil Spill Remediation and Related Clean Up.
Mr. Brown moved to waive the reading of the entire resolution, second by Mr. Borst and unanimously carried.
Councilman Rodgers introduced the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $1,000,000 For The Reed Intermediate School Oil Spill Remediation And Related Clean Up And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,000,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”.
A motion was made by Councilman Baiad, seconded by Councilman Shpunt, that the Board of Selectmen be authorized and directed to call a special Town Meeting to consider and act upon the resolution entitled “Resolution Appropriating $1,000,000 For The Reed Intermediate School Oil Spill Remediation And Related Clean Up And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,000,000 Bonds Of The Town To Meet Said Appropriation And Pending The Issuance Thereof The Making Of Temporary Borrowings For Such Purpose”. A copy of the resolution is attached to these minutes.
Upon Roll call vote the ayes and nays were as follows:
AYES
W. Rodgers
D. Amaral
D. Brown
P.. Baiad
J. Shpunt
M. Iassogna
J. Borst
F. Pennarola
J. Hemingway
Councilman Rodgers thereupon declared the motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mr. Borst moved to enter executive session at 7:53 p.m. to discuss a legal matter, second by Mr. Shpunt and unanimously carried. Executive session was exited at 7:58 p.m. Mrs. Baiad moved to authorize the Town of Newtown to defend itself in the matter of GLT Residential LLC against the Town of Newtown. Second by Mr. Brown and unanimously carried.
.ANNOUNCEMENTS. Mrs. Baiad questioned whether the Legislative Council’s subcommittees are obsolete since they do not meet with the town departments to review their budgets as was done before the Board of Finance was created. Mr. Borst agrees with Mrs. Baiad. Mr. Rodgers said that the role of the subcommittees and whether they are obsolete will be discussed. He will request the full budget books from Mr. Spragg. Mr. Borst had requested the full Board of Education budget from Mr. Bienkowski.
ADJOURNMENT. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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