AMENDED
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Legislative Council held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 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: William Rodgers, Joseph Borst, David Brown, Jeffrey Capeci , Joseph DiCandido, Stacie Doyle, Michael Iassogna, Keith Jacobs, Patricia Llodra, Francis Pennarola. ABSENT: Daniel Amaral, Timothy Holian. ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, members of Charter Revision Commission and Board of Finance, five members of public, one member of press.
MINUTES. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, the minutes of the regular meeting of October 3, 2007 and the special meeting of October 30, 2007 were unanimously accepted as presented.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Guy Howard, 4 Main Street, asked if it would be appropriate that the newly elected Legislative Council consider the recommendations of the Charter Revision Commission next month.
COMMUNICATIONS. Mr. Rodgers reported that Mr. Holian regrets that he is still unable to attend the meeting as he is recovering from illness and that he congratulates those elected.
COMMITTEE REPORTS. None noted.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT. Mr. Rosenthal congratulated those who were elected and thanked everyone for working with him during his terms.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS. None addressed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION. Upon motion of Mr. Borst, executive session was entered at 8:05 p.m. to discuss open space. Executive session was exited at 8:25 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS.
2008 Meeting dates. Upon motion of Mr. Pennarola, the meeting schedule for 2008 was unanimously approved as presented.
Purchase of Conservation Easement and Development Rights for Ferris Farm. Mr. Rosenthal distributed “Purchase and Sale Agreement” (Attachment A to original minutes. He stated that the Town has obtained a grant of $500,000 from the State towards the $2 million purchase price (Attachment B to original minutes). Melissa Spears, Connecticut State Director of the Trust for Public Lands, distributed “Preservation Project Summary” (Attachment C to original minutes). She noted that the Ferris family will continue farming on the five acres of the property. There is a 69 acre conservation easement with public access. Due upon closing this calendar year is $1 million, and $500,000 in 2008 and $500,000 in 2009. Mr. Rosenthal said that the Town of Newtown would like the right of first refusal if
the property is ever sold. Ms. Spears said this would need to be negotiated with the Ferris family. Mr. Brown moved to authorize the First Selectman to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with the Trust for Public Lands to purchase the conservation easement and development rights for the Ferris farm in the amount of $2 million, $1 million due this calendar year, $500,000 due on July 1, 2008 and $500,000 due on July 1, 2009. Second by Mrs. Llodra and unanimously carried by roll call vote.
Charter Revision.
Mr. Rodgers reviewed the timetable. The Legislative Council has until November 30 to report back to the Charter Review Commission. The Charter Revision Commission then has 30 days to report back to the Legislative Council. He feels that the current Council should respond to its charge and that a new Council could call for another Charter Revision Commission at any time.
The Legislative Council reviewed the draft report from the Charter Revision Commission and recommends the following changes to the report:
#1-60 Concur.
#2-10 a. Concur.
#2-10 b. Delete recommendation from report. ( Retain the three voting districts).
#2-40 b. and Delete recommendation from report. (Concerning a supermajority vote for the Legislative Council – leave at seven). Deletion of last sentence OK.
#2-30 c. Delete recommendation from report.
#2-40 c. Concur.
#2-50. Delete portion of recommendation . (Leave as Board of Finance but include “six members.”)
#2-51. Concur.
#2-60. Concur.
#2.70 a Concur ( 2 opposed).
#2-130 Delete recommendation in entirety. Strong feeling expressed to retain Board of Finance terminology and status
#3-01. Concur.
#3-10. Concur.
#3-30 a 1&6 Concur.
#3-30 a 3. Delete recommendation from report (Do not spend excessive amount in litigation).
#4-01 Concu8r, adding phrase “with approval of Board of Selectmen in (a)
#4-40 Concur.
#4-60 d. Substitute “found to warrant investigation” for “to be valid.” (Board of Ethics).
#4-70 Concur.
#4-70 2 b. Delete recommendation from report. (“all” concerning Public Building).
#4-120 Concur.
#5-01 b 4. Strike last sentence concerning web site postings.
#5-40(b) Concur.
#6-12 (??). Delete recommendation to shorten budget process. Strong feelings here.
#6-12 b. Concur.
#6-12 d Concur.
#6-12 e. Delete recommendation.
#6-13 a. Delete recommendation from report. (Joint hearing of BOF and LC re budget).
#6-13 b &c Delete recommendation (eliminating super majority) Strong for lingo.
#6-14 Separate out advisory questions to its own section.
#6-30 a Concur.
#7-10 . Delete recommendation
#7-20 Concur
#7-70 a. Concur, but strike “post on web site.”
#7-70 b. Delete recommendation from report (shorten budget process).
#7-70 d Concur
#7-80 e Concur
#7-100 c 1 Concur
#7-100 e Concur
#8-80 Concur
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. None noted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. None noted.
ADJOURNMENT. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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