Minutes of the regular meeting of the Legislative Council held on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 in the meeting room of the C. H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, Newtown CT. Vice-Chairman Holian called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: T. Holian, D. Amaral, J. Borst, D. Brown, J. Capeci, J. DiCandido, S. Doyle, M. Iassogna, P. Llodra, F. Pennarola. ABSENT: W. Rodgers, K. Jacobs. ALSO PRESENT: members of the Boards of Finance and Education, two members of public, one member of press.
MINUTES. It was noted that the special meeting of May 10, 2006 was held in Town Hall South, not the C. H. Booth Library. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 7, 2006 were unanimously accepted as presented. The minutes of the special meeting of June 12, 2006 will be amended to delete “and” and insert “as” before “amended mid-motion.” Also on page two after “eliminate” delete “Mrs. Greenwood” and insert “Mrs. Wiedemann.” Also the alternates were not going to be sworn in. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the minutes were unanimously accepted as amended.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Mr. Holian asked that members of the public who wished to speak about the Sandy Hook Historic District speak when that item is discussed. There was no public participation noted at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS. Mr. Holian reported that Mr. Rodgers broke his ankle during his military training and he is continuing his duty in Virginia.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Ordinance. Mr. Pennarola circulated a draft of an ordinance concerning pets at Fairfield Hills. The Committee will plan to meet in two weeks to discuss this ordinance as well as an arts committee ordinance.
Education. Mrs. Llodra distributed the cuts that the Board of Education plans to make to their budget (Attachment A) and Fletcher Thompson’s draft of the proposed high school expansion with and without the gym expansion and turfing the field (Attachment B). She noted that a referendum is planned for November with full occupancy in September 2009 if the scheduled is followed. She also presented the full report from NEAS&C (New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc) (Attachment C) and noted that the link to the full report is www.Newtown.K12.CT.US.
Mr. Rosenthal asked who said that a November referendum would be scheduled. Mrs. Llodra replied that it was the architect. Mr. Rosenthal said that we do not have bids and it is not necessary to approve a project before it is designed. He said that the project has to be approved by the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council and a town meeting must be held. It is contrary to the Capital Improvement Plan to approve a project before these procedures have been followed. He will not call a town meeting unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
Finance. Mr. DiCandido had no report.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT. Mr. Rosenthal noted that the Tax Collector has collected over 99% of the taxes this year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS. None noted.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion and possible action on formation of a Sandy Hook Historic District Study Committee. At this time Mr. Holian asked if anyone from the public wished to address this item.
Morgen McLaughlin, Alberts Hill Road, said she and Megan Williams have formed a group named “Preserve Sandy Hook.” She said that the idea for a Sandy Hook historic district came out of their involvement with the condo project and their concern that there are no design regulations for properties on the periphery of the Sandy Hook Design District and that these properties may be susceptible to high density cluster type housing. She said that the neighbors value living in their old homes and are concerned about the condo proposal.
Megan Williams, 82 Church Hill Road, agreed with Ms. McLaughlin.
Mr. Rosenthal noted that Ms. McLaughlin and Ms. Williams are asking the Legislative Council to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee to study the formation of a Sandy Hook Historic District. He said that 2/3 of the neighbors would have to approve the formation of such a district. Mr. Holian noted that the proposal is for a committee of five members with two alternates but the statutes require three alternates.
Mr. Pennarola moved that the Legislative Council authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a committee to study the possible creation of a Sandy Hook Historic District per CGS 7-147b. Second by Mrs. Llodra and unanimously carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION to allow for a meeting of the board of education with the Legislative Council and Board of Finance prior to (teacher contract) negotiations, all as required by CGS section 10-153d.
Mr. Borst moved to enter executive session at 7:55 p.m. to allow for a meeting of the Board of Education with the Legislative Council and Board of Finance prior to (teacher contract) negotiations, all as required by CGS section 10-153d and to invite Mr. Spragg and the members of the Boards of Finance and Education present to attend. Second by Mrs. Llodra and unanimously carried. At this time the clerk left the meeting.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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