Minutes of the regular meeting of the Legislative Council held on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 in the Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT. Chairman Rodgers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: William Rodgers, Timothy Holian, Daniel Amaral, Joseph Borst, David Brown, Jeffrey Capeci , Joseph DiCandido, Stacie Doyle, Michael Iassogna, Francis Pennarola. ABSENT: Keith Jacobs, Patricia Llodra. ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Financial Director Benjamin Spragg, members of Boards of Finance John Kortz, James Gaston and Michael Portnoy, Board of Education member Andrew Buzzi, Interim Superintendent Thomas Jocularities, one member of public, one member of press.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
MINUTES. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 20, 2007 were unanimously accepted as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS. A letter from Town Attorney Grogins concerning the Fairfield Hills ordinance had been mailed to the Council members.
Mr. Rodgers wrote to the Board of Education indicating that their request concerning unrealized insurance savings would be forwarded to the Board of Finance (Att. A to original minutes).
Mr. Rodgers asked Mr. Buzzi if the Board of Education plans to discuss year-round schooling. Mr. Buzzi said that it would be on an agenda if a member of the Board of Ed requests that it be. Mr. Rodgers will talk to Mr. Mangiafico who had indicated that it would be on a Board of Ed agenda.
It is opinion of Town Attorney Grogins that there is no authority for establishing the proposed trust fund to benefit the Town of Newtown (Att B to original minutes).
COMMITTEE REPORTS. None noted.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT. Mr. Rosenthal reported that the DOT hired a consulting group to address parking of trucks along Route 84 and that one of their recommendations is to improve the rest areas. Mr. Rosenthal and Conservation Official Rob Sibley attended a DOT meeting at which they noted that a truck stop that was apparently being proposed by the consultants for the median at Exit 11 was on top of our aquifer. The group was not aware of this and stated that the truck stop will not be recommended in their final report. Mr. Rosenthal also said that this truck stop would conflict with the State’s plans to redesign Exit 11. Mr. Rosenthal said that the redesign for Exit 11 is proceeding and will provide direct access to Route 34. He said that the State asked if the High School driveway could be moved to
the north of the new intersection. He said there will also be additional property available when the ramp is redesigned. Mr. Borst had concerns about fumes from trucks so close to the High School as well as the possible drug use at such a site. Mr. Rosenthal said there would have been access to the site only from the Route 84 ramps.
The revenue that Newtown will receive from the State is not yet finalized.
Mr. Brown asked when a long range report on public safety would be available to which Mr. Rosenthal replied that it would be placed on the Council’s agenda when requested by the Council.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Paul Lundquist’s offer to conduct a survey of the residents of Newtown. Mr. Lundquist reported that the Library Board declined to be a party to the distribution but gave him no explanation for their decision. Mr. Lundquist asked for comments from the Council by the next meeting or the meeting after that. Mr. Rosenthal felt there was a bait and switch with the Board of Selectmen because Mr. Lundquist had indicated that the purpose of the survey would be for long range planning and not focus on individuals or groups but it included questions about the performance of the First Selectman and government groups. Mr. Lundquist said this was written for action in the early spring but does not feel there was a bait and switch. He said the questions are not personal and he is not biased. Mrs. Doyle asked if there is
only one response per household allowed; Mr. Lundquist said only one per p.c. is allowed.
Mr. Lundquist said that the responses will be weighted to balance them demographically. Mr. Holian asked why Mr. Lundquist is conferring with the Legislative Council because they are not experts in surveys and is he trying to get some buy in. Mr. Lundquist said he wants to make sure the facts are correct. He would like the Legislative Council to say that this would be good for the town but is not looking for a buy in. Mr. Brown feels that we are being fished for an endorsement and asked what letterhead the survey will be under. Mr. Lundquist said not a Town letterhead, but possibly Harrison Group.
Mr. Rodgers asked if the survey will go out just before the election. Mr. Lundquist is not sure but he does not want to wait until December. Mr. Rodgers does not want to create false expectations. He finds some questions to be biased and offensive. He said that the Legislative Council’s role is to provide input on questions not endorsements.
Mr. Rodgers asked that the Council members email Mr. Lundquist with specific questions before the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS.
BOE request for special appropriation concerning health insurance savings. This has been referred to the Board of Finance. Mr. Kortze asked who is referring the special appropriation. Mr. Kortze asked where and how the funds will come from. This will raise the budget that was voted on. Does the clock start tonight for the 30 days that the Board of Finance has to make a recommendation to the Legislative Council? Mr. Rosenthal said that no special appropriation was requested. Mr. Rodgers said that the Board of Education did not specifically ask for a special appropriation but that he advised the Board of Ed that it will be a special appropriation and that they should provide the Board of Finance with information as required in Section 6-30© of the Charter within 30 days. Mr. Kortze said that if the Board
of Finance received this request first as per the Charter this would have been expedited. Mr. Rodgers said that if the Board of Finance requests more than 30 days, the request will be granted.
Mr. Kortze said that the Board of Finance would like to see Mr. Lundquist’s survey which Mr. Lundquist will provide.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. None noted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr. Brown moved to enter executive session at 8:45 p.m. to discuss legal matters and the Board of Education’s Administrators’ contract and to invite Mr. Spragg, the members of the Board of Finance, Mr. Buzzi, Mr. Jacobaitis, and the clerk to attend. Second by Mrs. Doyle and unanimously carried.
Executive session was exited at 10:22 p.m.
Mr. Holian moved to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept the property at the Assessor’s Map 40, Block 3, Lot 7 for consideration and realization of the taxes owed. (Att C to original minutes). Second by Mr. Brown and unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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