Minutes of the regular meeting of the Legislative Council held on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 in the meeting 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, T. Holian, D. Amaral, J. Borst, D. Brown, J. Capeci, J. DiCandido, S. Doyle, M. Iassogna, K. Jacobs, P. Llodra, F. Pennarola. ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman H. Rosenthal, Financial Director B. Spragg, one member of public, one member of press.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
MINUTES of January 4, 2006 will be amended to note that the Federal government, not the Secretary of State, made the decision to keep the present voting machines for this year; also under CIP (page 2) $3 million, not $3. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the minutes were unanimously accepted as amended.
COMMUNICATIONS. Mr. Rodgers sent a memo to John Kortze, Chairman of the Board of Finance, indicating that the Legislative Council has not been approached about participating in any joint activities. He also said the opinions expressed were his own.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Ordinance has prepared a first draft of the ordinance to divide the Conservation Commission into a Conservation and an Inland Wetlands Commission. Mr. Pennarola will consult with town counsel to be sure that the ordinance will be in conformance with inland wetland regulations.
Education. Mrs. Llodra presented a report on Board of Education meetings (A). She discussed the options presently being considered for a high school expansion. Option 1 would be a satellite program at Fairfield Hills, Option 2 - additions and renovations to the present high school, Option 3 is for a new high school and Option 4 is to move the middle school to the high school and have a second full high school. Mr. Rosenthal said that an addition can not be larger than 66,000 square feet in order for the Town to receive its full percentage of reimbursement.
Charter Review Commission Appointment Committee set the deadline for applicants as February 7. Interviewing of candidates will be on February 8, February 13 and if necessary February 27. A list of recommendations will be presented to the full Legislative Council by the March 1 meeting. There are nineteen applicants so far, seven Republicans, six Democrats and six unaffiliated.
Charter Review Commission Charge Committee will review the Charter to identify issues and will have a meeting before the Legislative Council’s February 1 meeting. Attorney Grogins recommendations will be reviewed. Mr. Rosenthal said that the Board of Finance would like consideration given to eliminating the lack of affirmative language in the Charter concerning a surplus and to be able to negotiate bonds. Mr. Holian said these are among the considerations.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT. Mr. Rosenthal reported that the Middle School has been opened as a shelter tonight because 20% of Newtown’s population has no power.
OLD BUSINESS
Business Incentive Plan Application - SMT Corp. The Board of Finance approved the plan. Mr. Holian moved that the business incentive plan of SMT as approved by the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance, a 45% reduction of the increase in assessment, be approved by this body as well. Second by Mr. Borst and unanimously carried.
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Mr. DiCandido reported that the Finance Committee voted unanimously to accept the CIP as presented but that no one thought that this was a perfect plan. The cost of the high school is a concern. Mr. DiCandido moved that the Legislative Council accept the Capital Improvement Plan dated December 12, 2005 in its entirety. Second by Mr. Holian.
Mrs. Llodra asked what happens to an item if it deleted. Mr. Rosenthal said that projects can be presented to the Board of Finance quarterly for inclusion in the CIP but this is usually done annually.
Mr. Borst asked if the Senior Center expansion request could be moved out another year; Mr. Rosenthal replied that all items were already moved out one year by the Board of Finance.
Vote on the motion: YES (W. Rodgers, T. Holian, D. Amaral, D. Brown, J. Capeci, J. DiCandido, S. Doyle, M. Iassogna, K. Jacobs, P. Llodra, F. Pennarola.) NO (J. Borst). Motion carried.
Discussion of appointing a Charter Review Commission and charge to the Commission. These items will be carried forward.
Discussion and possible action concerning the Conservation Commission. This item will be carried forward.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action on:
Ordinance establishing an Arts Commission. The draft of the ordinance approved by the Board of Selectmen will be forwarded to the Legislative Council. Mr. Rosenthal reported that the arts group would like to make a presentation to the Legislative Council.
Transfer.
Mr. Holian moved to transfer from Account 01570-5000 Contingency $11,336.00 to Account 01150-1004 Parks & Rec Maintainers $11,336.00. Second by Mr. Brown and unanimously carried. Mr. Rosenthal explained that this will fund the first year of the new contract.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION. None noted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. Mr. Rodgers will distribute the schedule of the Board of Selectmen’s budget deliberations to be held on January 24, January 25 and January 26 at the Senior Center at 7:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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