Minutes of the regular meeting of the Legislative Council held on Wednesday, March 1, 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: three members of public.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
MINUTES. The minutes of the regular meeting of February 1, 2006 will be amended to note change the spelling of Ms. Crowell’s name and to change Board of Finance to Board of Education in her conversation. Also amend to note that Judge Lavery did not send a copy of his letter to Mr. Rodgers. Also Possible Executive Session needs to be expanded upon. Also Mr. Brown moved to adjourn, second by Mrs. Llodra and unanimously carried. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the minutes were unanimously accepted as amended.
COMMUNICATIONS. Mr. Capeci has copies of a communication from Ruby Johnson concerning the Town’s space needs.
Mr. Rodgers will be unable to attend the March 15 meeting because he will be in Washington at a conference.
The PTA Council is having a meeting on March 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the Board of Education offices at 31 Pecks Lane.
There is a Freedom of Information meeting sponsored by CCM on March 9.
The Board of Finance budget was emailed to the Legislative Council.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Ordinance will meet on Monday at 7:00 at Edmond Town Hall to finalize the four ordinances to effect the separation of the Conservation Commission into the Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions.
Mr. Rodgers reported that the Newtown Code Book has been published and will incorporate any changes made within 90 days.
Tax Collector Carol Mahoney has recommended an increase in the elderly tax relief of $50,000 over the previous year. Mr. Rodgers will circulate her memo.
Mr. Borst stated that the Fairfield Hills Authority is to make a status report to the Legislative Council every six months. Mr. Rodgers will request a report from the Authority.
Finance will meet on March 15 at 7:00 to take action on acceptance of the annual audit.
Education (A). Mrs. Llodra reported on the Board of Education meeting of February 14 that was a continuation of the forum from March 6. She also reported that the Board of Education budget was presented to the Board of Finance last night with an increase of 7.87%.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT. Mr. Rodgers reported at Mr. Rosenthal’s request that a number of joint activities have taken place. The Space Needs Committee and other body heads attended the March 6 Board of Education Meeting. Planning and Zoning has been having follow up meetings on the Plan of Conservation and Development with town department heads.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion and possible action concerning the Conservation Commission. This item will be carried forward.
Discussion and possible action concerning the Charter Charge Committee. Chairman Holian distributed a draft of the proposed charge for review and comments by the Legislative Council members by the next meeting to be voted on by the Council.
Discussion and possible action concerning the Charter Review Committee formation. Chairman Borst reported that the Committee selected nine members and three alternates who would serve if one of the regular members resigned. He will mail the list to Mr. Rodgers for distribution and review by the Legislative Council before the next meeting to be voted on at the meeting.
Possible presentation by Judge Lavery on behalf of the C. H. Booth Library. Mr. Rodgers reported that Judge Lavery will address the Council at its March 15 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Transfer. Mr. Holian moved to transfer from Account 01570-2000 Contingency $50,000 to Account 01510-2032 Salt $50,000. Second by Mrs. Llodra and unanimously carried.
Presentation on the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility. Mike Guarco, Chairman of the Board of Finance of the Town of Granby and Richard Burke, member of the Board of Finance of the Town of Oxford, discussed the Consortium and distributed information (B). Mr. Guarco said that the Consortium is a union of municipalities. One of the missions is to enhance communications among local officials on issues affecting them before the State Legislature. A goal is to manage major components of their budgets. He said there have been labor mandates from the State without the cash to cover them. He asked that the Legislative Council consider joining this group on one or two levels: to pass a resolution of support and/or to testify collectively if possible before the State Legislature. A regional event was
recently held in Torrington and the group would like to hold another event. Mr. Guarco said that we would like the state to untie our hands and let us better manage our affairs; there is state intervention in our local affairs. Mr. Burke made a presentation to the Newtown Board of Finance. They will not make a decision until after the budget process is completed. Mr. Rodgers reported that Mr. Rosenthal was very supportive of this group. Mr. Rodgers will ask Mr. Kortze to report to the Legislative Council on the Board of Finance’s comments and recommendations.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION none noted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. Mr. Rodgers asked that the Council members email him on their availability on the following dates (respond if not available): March 30, April 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27 and 28.
ADJOURNEMENT. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Ann Mazur, Clerk
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