MINUTES
WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
POLK SCHOOL LIBRARY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2002, 8:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Elaine Adams
Lee Archer, Chairman
Raymond Hebert, Jr., Vice Chairman
Robert Kane
Jean King
Raymond Primini
Paul Rinaldi
Paul Valenti
Richard Wick
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Frigon, Interim Town Manager
Frank Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
1. Call Meeting To Order
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Called the Meeting to Order at 8:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Ms. LaForme, Board Clerk, executed the Roll Call.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Archer, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Watertown Town Council
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February 4, 2002
Page 2
4. Public Participation
Lea Desjardins, 55 Earle Avenue, Oakville, CT 06779
Ms. Desjardins: I am here tonight on behalf of Kai Leszkowicz, but also for all the skateboarders in Town. I was asked to speak tonight for several people, but their views and opinions are the same as mine, and I feel the Town still has a necessity to please the skateboarders. We still have not reached a conclusion since our banment from Town property. The Town has tried to please us with a parking lot, which is nice, but not always enough to hold every skateboarder for helping (inaudible) one practice new things. We cant just skate on a flat spot. There needs to be things to go up, jump off, and even grind on. I can understand why you dont want us on the streets. You feel they are too crowded and dangerous. Maybe its not the skaters. Have you walked on any of the sidewalks in Town? Maybe if every sidewalk was repaired, then people from pedestrians to skaters wouldnt be falling and getting hurt. Iffixing every sidewalk isnt what you want, then you need to put in a facility that will please all of us. A skate park will be necessary for this Town if the ordinance stands. The Towns streets and roads are our practice fields, just like a baseball diamond is a practice area for baseball players. If you feel the need to close our fields, I challenge you to close Veterans Field and the new Deland Field. Then you would see the large amount of people displeased with your efforts. All the people affected by your decisions would try to thwart you. They would attend every meeting and complain to you about their positions, just as we try. What were trying to tell you is that we feel this is not fair, and almost unjust. We need a practice field and we need one soon. If its not what you want, then maybe a repeal of the ordinance is in order. Thank you.
Robert LeBlanc, 78 Highland Avenue, Watertown, CT 06795
Mr. LeBlanc: I have three things Id like to discuss tonight. The first question I asked last week, the last Town Council meeting concerning who does the Zoning Officer report to and to do such things as closing the Zoning Office? I would like to go to the Freedom of Information at times and I dont know what chain of command Im to go to the Freedom of Information with. Do I go with the Zoning Officer and the Town Manager, the Zoning Officer and the Zoning Commission, the Zoning Officer and the Town Council? I just dont know who to work with here. So I would like to know what is the chain of command as far as the Zoning Officer is concerned.
Mr. Archer: To the best of my knowledge, the Zoning Officer reports in to the Town Manager.
Mr. LeBlanc: Is that with the concurrence of the Zoning Commission or just by
itself?
Mr. Archer: That I couldnt tell you.
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February 4, 2002
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Mr. LeBlanc: Cause I think our Council passed an Ordinance saying the Town Manager can do most anything he wants, as long as he has the concurrence of the Zoning Commission, so thats where the problem arises, and Id like to know if we could get an answer to that?
Mr. Archer: My understanding of it was is what the previous Council did was sort of split the chain of command, but I couldnt quote exactly which portions of that responsibility goes to which.
Mr. LeBlanc: To make it easy, Ill come back to the next Council meeting and ask the same question, do some more research, I (inaudible) research myself.
Mr. Archer: Well I will ask the same of the Town Manager in the meantime.
Mr. LeBlanc: Thank you. The second concern I have is Id like to know if I could find out how much money was spent on the Town Hall Annex since the land use boards moved out. It seems like there was an awful lot of renovations done, walls were torn down, rugs were put in, offices were changed around, and I would like to know, do we have any kind of a figure on that cost?
Mr. Archer: I do not know, I doubt thats something Chuck could pull off the top of his head, but Ill certainly . . . .
Mr. Frigon: I couldnt, but I could certainly report for the next meeting.
Mr. Archer: Sure, that would be great.
Mr. Rinaldi: Im sorry, I didnt hear what you said in the beginning, Bob. Which building was this?
Mr. LeBlanc: The Town Hall Annex. Since the land use offices moved out theres been an awful lot of renovation and I havent seen any cost concerning that and Id like to know what it is.
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February 4, 2002
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My third concern, this past week, through the grapevine I found out, or somebody told me that there was gong to be a second final inspection at the John Trumbull School. And I scratched my head and said, I dont understand the second final inspection, so I called people at the Board of Education and I was informed that there would be some kind of a second final inspection. I was asked at that time if I would please give a list of my concerns that I have at the school, and at that time I reported to this Board of Education employee that I do not work for the Board of Education, I work directly for the Town Council Chair as far as the Executive Building Committee is concerned, and I would report directly to him. After contemplation I said, what Im going to do, Im going to do it publicly and Im going to inform everybody of the problems up at that school. So now if you have about two minutes, Ill read off a list.
1. We have a crack in the cafeteria floor, its about 80 feet.
2. We have a crack in a corridor floor, about 70 feet from the Gym Door to the Art Room.
3. We have a crack in a hall floor in front of the Nurses Office about 8 feet.
4. Theres a crack in the Electrical Room about 20 feet where mud is entering through the crack.
5. Theres cracks in the walls across the street from the Mail Room.
6. Theres tiles around the commodes that have not been installed.
7. Tiles to cover holes from removal of the sanitary napkin receptacles have not been installed.
8. Air is infiltrating through the windows in the PreK areas.
9. Theres 15 water leak discolored ceiling tiles.
10. Gutters in the rear of the school are not draining properly. 30 feet of gutter and 30 foot of facial board have fallen to the ground.
11. Plantings in the rear of the school are being washed away and the ground is always soggy because the downspouts or the leaders are not working properly.
12. Gutters in front of the school are missing two leaders.
13. Leader on the right side is not draining correctly.
14. The replaced floor tiles in front of the Library are all mismatched.
15. Emergency drains, this is a big concern, emergency drains from the roof appear to be connected incorrectly, or regular drains are not functioning correctly causing these drains to pour out onto the sidewalk and the stairs causing unsafe conditions with icing.
16. On one flat roof theres a section that appears to be loose. When you go on the roof, you bounce on it, and the nails come through the rubber membrane or whatever it is on the roof.
17. The ceilings in the PreK bathroom were repaired with mismatched ceiling tiles and paint is pealing on the walls. This is due to water damage on the roof. The gutters over the Kindergarten area have had holes cut in them to allow water to spill onto the roof, causing this damage to the PreK bathroom.
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February 4, 2002
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18. Security glass walls and doors are not installed in office areas, and all the sensitive records that we have there are at risk.
19. Proposed fencing in the lower area playground has not been installed.
20. They have 8 or 10 VCR's in the Library that broadcast to all the rooms. They are not connected as of yet.
21. Boys Restroom in front of the Gym has water coming through the tiles during heavy rains.
22. Chairs in the computer rooms, theres 50 chairs and theyre too big for these children. What they do is theyre rolling around on them, theyre feet are sticking straight out, and theyre banging them and theyre falling down and getting hurt, and the chairs are especially unsafe for children with special needs.
And as I say, I appreciate anything you can do to solve these problems. Ill give you a copy of this if you want.
Mr. Archer: Thanks, Bob. Is there anyone else in the Public wishing to speak at this time? Last call, anyone in the public wishing to speak? Well close Public Participation at this time.
Mr. Archer Closed Public Participation at 8:10 p.m.
5. Minutes
A. Regular Meeting Minutes January 22, 2002
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Ms. Adams) to Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated January 22, 2002 as presented.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Sub-Committee Reports
A. Town Manager Search Committee
Ms. Adams: Basically the Town Managers Search Committee met last Wednesday to kind of put together a plan on just how were going to proceed. Were going to be contacting C.C.M. looking for recommendations on potential consultants. We, Jean was going to check another source, but unfortunately she told me tonight that did not pan out. We also, we talked about you assigning that committee that youre also a member of. to review the evaluation of the Town Manager and well also be reviewing the Job Description of the Town Manager.
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February 4, 2002
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Mr. Archer: Now my understanding on the evaluation is that there was some work done by the previous Council to review or to further, more accurately codify. I guess the, how the Town Manager would be evaluated in the future?
Ms. Adams: Yea I guess Dick and Jean were going to check and see what they had for notes on that, because theres no point in reinventing the wheel if theyve pretty much got it complete.
Mr. Archer: Right. Thank you.
7. Chairmans Report
A. Correspondence
None
B. Subcommittee Assignments
None
C. Turkey Brook Funding Sources Update
Mr. Frigon: There has been considerable activity in the Turkey Brook funding Sources. The original funding was cancelled or revoked by the State, the $500,900. I contacted D.E.C.D., Brian Flaherty, and Lou DeLuca who were successful in reinstating those funds. They also have given me much confidence in their ability to move forward with the program amendment for the additional 980 some odd dollars, so that is going forward and Im hoping that this project will be on the February Agenda of the State Bonding Commission. Im very hopeful.
Ms. King: Is there a timeline on the renewal of the 500 and something thousand from D.E.C.D. by which, I mean our problem before was we had to get it done by a certain time and we missed their deadline. Is there a new deadline?
Mr. Frigon: No, there wasnt a new deadline attached to the reinstatement. We are hopeful that with the efforts of both Brian Flaherty and Lou DeLuca that that wont be necessary. With all luck we will get this in either February or March.
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February 4, 2002
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D. Police Needs Assessment Update
Mr. Frigon: The Police Needs Assessment Contract has been completed, signed, and we will have our organizational meeting on Friday, February 8th. We expect that project to be on-going for perhaps a month or so. Ill keep you updated at future meetings.
Mr. Archer: You say the actual assessment itself is a one month period or the . . . ?
Mr. Frigon: The actual assessment should take approximately one month. Ill have a better handle on the time involved in completing that assessment after the February 8th organizational meeting.
E. Update on Main Street Flags
Mr. Frigon: You have in your packet a memo from Lisa Carew stating that she has received 50 flags, had enough money for an additional 25 flags, and is going to look at funding the require 5 additional flag that would allow us to put a flag on every lit pole from the Pin Shop up to the Green. So those brackets are presently being installed as the Parks Department has the time to do so, and at an appropriate time the flags will be presented.
Ms. Adams: I think its great.
Mr. Frigon: It is, it is.
Mr. Archer: And the intention is to display them on National Holidays . . . . ?
Mr. Frigon: On National Holidays, on Memorial Day, the 4th of July.
F. Echo Lake Road Bridge Update
Mr. Frigon: I have some correspondence received just today from Phil Deleppo, and Ill read that to you:
"Due to the unavailability of bituminous concrete the work on the above referenced project, Echo Lake Bridge, has been suspended until Spring. The contractor will not be on site during this period".
Mr. Frigon: So you know there wont be any more activity, but the project is near completion. Phil estimates approximately 30 to 40 days to complete the project once bituminous concrete is available.
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Mr. Archer: Does it remain a one lane bridge until that time?
Mr. Frigon: It will remain a one lane bridge until the Spring.
G. Middlebury Road @ Bunker Hill Road Intersection Update
Mr. Frigon: You have some correspondence in your packet from the Department of Transportation indicating that this project has been awarded to the Bristol Construction Company at the cost of $547,085.50. The completion time is 185 days, financed 80% through Federal and 20% through State funding. There is a reconstruction meeting to be held on February 26th at the D.O.T. headquarters in Thomaston, and at that point a project schedule will be submitted.
Mr. Archer: Do we know roughly when thats going to start?
Mr. Frigon: We will know on February 26th.
Mr. Archer: Just a couple of things for clarification. Thats a realignment of (inaudible)?
Mr. Frigon: That is a realignment of Middlebury Road, thats correct.
Mr. Archer: And you mentioned that theres both Federal and State funding. The cost to the Town on that is . . . . ?
Mr. Frigon: I believe there is no cost to the Town for this particular project, thats my understanding.
H. Location of Back Stops on Town Ball Fields
Mr. Frigon: This particular item was brought to our attention during the Special Meeting, and I did ask Harry Ward, our Parks Superintendent, to research it, which he did, and he is saying in his correspondence to me that the recommended distance from the rear point of home plate to the fence fabric on the backstops are as follows, and based on actual measurements for the backstops at Deland Field and Veterans Memorial Park are within the recommended distances for the use they were originally intended for. So I have confidence now that they are as Harry said, that installed for the use they were intended for.
Mr. Archer: And this is something that came up during the Public Hearing on, that we had about a month ago on fields (inaudible). I think it was a question that someone raised, so thanks for getting back on that.
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I. Other Business
Mr. Archer: The only item is that the E.B.C. is complete. There were two folks from the Board of Ed who were assigned to the E.B.C. last week so that is complete, and well be scheduling a meeting shortly, and in the mean time Im getting to bring myself up to speed on what some of the remaining issues are in the school. Im getting a tour of those items on Friday of this week, and again well be scheduling a meeting shortly so well move on to resolving those problems very soon.
8. Action Items
A. Consider Appointments to Board and Commissions
The terms of various boards and commissions have expired or are expiring. Appointments must be made to fill these vacancies.
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) that the following nomination for Boards and Commissions be accepted by this Council, and they are:
§ Thomas Durso, 10 Golfview Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Building Code Board of
Appeals, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
§ Lucille Borkowski, 35 Whispering Hill, Watertown, CT, to the Commission on Aging,
Replacing Wanda Witty, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ William Clark, 100 Steel Brook Road, Watertown, CT, to the Commission on Aging,
Replacing Michael Vernovai, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ Leslie House, 375 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, to the Commission on Aging,
Replacing Jim Cusick, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ Coreine Peluso, 365 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, to the Commission on Aging,
Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ Jim Zawadski, 1191 Bassett Road, Watertown, CT, to the Conservation
Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, Replacing Peter Tomsheck, Term to Expire,
January 2005.
§ Ann Kuegler, 198 Cutler Street, Watertown, CT, to the Conservation
Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, Replacing Nancy Van Deusen, Term to Expire,
January 2005.
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§ Peter Peluso, 365 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, to the Conservation
Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, As an Alternate, To Fill Unexpired Term of Ann
Kuegler, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ Khrystyne Keane, 360 Cheery Avenue, Watertown, CT, as a Constable, Term to
Expire, January 2004.
§ Lee Archer, 1439 Bunker Hill Road, Watertown, CT, to the Council of Government
Regional Planning Commission, Replacing Wilbur Hughes.
§ Robert Kane, 33 Tower Road, Watertown, CT, to the Council of Government Regional
Planning Commission, Replacing Wilbur Hughes.
§ Clyde Sayre, 647 Park Road, Watertown, CT, to the Economic Development
Commission, To Fill Unexpired Term of Michael Buckingham, Term to Expire, January
2004.
§ Joe McGrail, Pleasant View, Oakville, CT, to the Economic Development Commission,
To Fill Unexpired Term of Steven Sawicki, Term to Expire, January 2006.
§ Cynthia Whitaker, 27 Litchfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Gazebo Maintenance,
Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
§ Hobart Van Deusen, 28 The Green, Watertown, CT, to the Historic District
Commission, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
§ Ronald Mayne, 5 The Green, Watertown, CT, to the Historic District Commission, To
Fill Unexpired Term of Steven Bedford, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ Carol Gilbert, 190 Main Street, Watertown, CT, to the Historic District Commission, As
an Alternate, Replacing Ronald Mayne, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ John McHugh, 95 Hidden Pond Road, Watertown, CT, to the Housing Authority,
Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
§ Diane Ruggiers, 46 Cannon Ridge Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Park and Recreation
Commission, Replacing William Scully, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ Teresa Mitchell, 120 Edward Avenue, Watertown, CT, to the Park and Recreation
Commission, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ Charles Fenn, 46 Ellen Kaye Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Park and Recreation
Commission, Replacing Paul Swiatek, Term to Expire, January 2005.
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§ Nancy Van Deusen, 28 The Green, Watertown, CT, to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Replacing Norman Marcoux, Term to Expire, January 2008.
§ Jeff Franson, 410 Plungis Road, Watertown, CT, to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Replacing Colin Adams, Term to Expire, January 2008.
§ Judith Wick, 1051 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Replacing George Velezis, Term to Expire, January 2008.
§ Charles Gordon, 14 Edgewood Road, Oakville, CT, to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, As an Alternate, To Fill Unexpired Term of Lee Archer, Term to Expire,
January 2004.
§ James DeMarest, Jr., 80 French Street, Oakville, CT, to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, As an Alternate, To Fill Unexpired Term of Judith Wick, Term to Expire,
January 2004.
§ Thomas Durso, 10 Golfview Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Police Commission,
Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
§ Karl Kuegler, 317 Whispering Hill, Watertown, CT, to the Public Buildings Committee,
Replacing David Pettinicci, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ Robert Porter, 71 Cherry Avenue, Watertown, CT, to the Public Buildings Committee,
Replacing Anthony Fusco, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ Kevin Killeen, 430 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Public Buildings
Committee, To Fill Unexpired Term of Raymond Primimi, Term to Expire, January 2004.
§ Khrystyne Keane, 360 Cherry Avenue, Watertown, CT, to the Water & Sewer
Authority, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ Cheryl Carley, 1200 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Water & Sewer Authority,
Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2005.
§ Domenick Calabrese, 639 Quassapaug Road, Watertown, CT, to the Zoning Board of
Appeals, As an Alternate, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2006.
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Discussion: Mr. Rinaldi: I know weve discussed this before. I have no problem supporting your nominations; theyre your seats, but we should be voting on these things one at a time. Im going to vote in the negative if were going to vote en masse on this thing. We should be voting for one person. When we go in a voting booth we vote for one person, we dont vote for a group of people, 50 people, and traditionally in this Town weve always voted one Commission, one person.
Mr. Archer: We could certainly do that.
Mr. Kane: If thats the way its done.
Mr. Hebert: Ill Withdraw my Motion.
Mr. Kane: Ill Withdraw my Second.
Mr. Hebert: Well take them one at a time.
VOTE NOT TAKEN; MOTION AND SECOND WERE WITHDRAWN
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Thomas Durso, 10 Golfview Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Building Code Board of Appeals, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Lucille Borkowski, 35 Whispering Hill, Watertown, CT, to the Commission on Aging, Replacing Wanda Witty, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint William Clark, 100 Steel Brook Road, Watertown, CT, to the Commission on Aging, Replacing Michael Vernovai, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Leslie House, 375 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, to the Commission on Aging, Replacing Jim Cusick, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Coreine Peluso, 365 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, to the Commission on Aging, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Jim Zawadski, 1191 Bassett Road, Watertown, CT, to the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, Replacing Peter Tomsheck, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Ann Kuegler, 198 Cutler Street, Watertown, CT, to the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, Replacing Nancy Van Deusen, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Peter Peluso, 365 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, to the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency, As an Alternate, To Fill Unexpired Term of Ann Kuegler, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Khrystyne Keane, 360 Cheery Avenue, Watertown, CT, as a Constable, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Lee Archer, 1439 Bunker Hill Road, Watertown, CT, to the Council of Government Regional Planning Commission, Replacing Wilbur Hughes.
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Ms. King, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Wick, Mr. Valenti
Opposed: None
Abstained: Mr. Archer
MOTION CARRIED (8-0-1)
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Robert Kane, 33 Tower Road, Watertown, CT, to the Council of Government Regional Planning Commission, Replacing Wilbur Hughes.
Discussion: None
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Ms. King, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Wick, Mr. Valenti
Opposed: None
Abstained: Mr. Kane
MOTION CARRIED (8-0-1)
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Clyde Sayre, 647 Park Road, Watertown, CT, to the Economic Development Commission, To Fill Unexpired Term of Michael Buckingham, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Joe McGrail, Pleasant View, Oakville, CT, to the Economic Development Commission, To Fill Unexpired Term of Steven Sawicki, Term to Expire, January 2006.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Cynthia Whitaker, 27 Litchfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Gazebo Maintenance, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Hobart Van Deusen, 28 The Green, Watertown, CT, to the Historic District Commission, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Ronald Mayne, 5 The Green, Watertown, CT, to the Historic District Commission, To Fill Unexpired Term of Steven Bedford, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Carol Gilbert, 190 Main Street, Watertown, CT, to the Historic District Commission, As an Alternate, Replacing Ronald Mayne, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint John McHugh, 95 Hidden Pond Road, Watertown, CT, to the Housing Authority, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Diane Ruggiers, 46 Cannon Ridge Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Park and Recreation Commission, Replacing William Scully, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Teresa Mitchell, 120 Edward Avenue, Watertown, CT, to the Park and Recreation Commission, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Charles Fenn, 46 Ellen Kaye Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Park and Recreation Commission, Replacing Paul Swiatek, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Nancy Van Deusen, 28 The Green, Watertown, CT, to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Replacing Norman Marcoux, Term to Expire, January 2008.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Jeff Franson, 410 Plungis Road, Watertown, CT, to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Replacing Colin Adams, Term to Expire, January 2008.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Judith Wick, 1051 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Replacing George Velezis, Term to Expire, January 2008.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Charles Gordon, 14 Edgewood Road, Oakville, CT, to the Planning and Zoning Commission, As an Alternate, To Fill Unexpired Term of Lee Archer, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint James DeMarest, Jr., 80 French Street, Oakville, CT, to the Planning and Zoning Commission, As an Alternate, To Fill Unexpired Term of Judith Wick, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Kane, Ms. King, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Wick, Mr. Valenti
Opposed: None
Abstained: Mr. Hebert
MOTION CARRIED (8-0-1)
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Thomas Durso, 10 Golfview Drive, Watertown, CT, to the Police Commission, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2007.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Karl Kuegler, 317 Whispering Hill, Watertown, CT, to the Public Buildings Committee, Replacing David Pettinicci, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Robert Porter, 71 Cherry Avenue, Watertown, CT, to the Public Buildings Committee, Replacing Anthony Fusco, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Kevin Killeen, 430 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Public Buildings Committee, To Fill Unexpired Term of Raymond Primimi, Term to Expire, January 2004.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Khrystyne Keane, 360 Cherry Avenue, Watertown, CT, to the Water & Sewer Authority, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Cheryl Carley, 1200 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT, to the Water & Sewer Authority, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2005.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Domenick Calabrese, 639 Quassapaug Road, Watertown, CT, to the Zoning Board of Appeals, As an Alternate, Reappointment, Term to Expire, January 2006.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. King: Just a point of information the Executive Building Committee who is the other Council person on the Executive Building Committee?
Mr. Archer: Ray Primini.
Ms. King: Oh, thank you. That wasnt listed on this sheet that we were given.
Mr. Archer: It might have been printed prior to two weeks ago.
B. Consider Appointment of Attorney Paul Jessell as Special Counsel
The Town Council is asked to consider the appointment of Paul Jessell of the law firm of Slavin, Stauffacher, & Scott as Special Counsel to handle legal matters as assigned by Town Attorney Randall McHugh.
MOTION: (Ms. Adams, sec. Mr. Kane) to appoint Paul Jessell of the law firm Slavin, Stauffacher, & Scott as special counsel to handle legal matters as assigned by Town Attorney Randall McHugh, for an hourly rate not to exceed $135.00 per hour.
Discussion: Mr. Valenti: I wonder if this, if we have an idea as to how this will be assigned out? Are there specific criteria? Are we going to leave it to the discretion of the Town Attorney?
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Mr. Archer: I believe in our original discussion when we appointed Mr. McHugh as Town Attorney that it was at his discretion. The only thing that would be combined was that the rate was something that was going to be determined by himself and the Town Manager, if Im not mistaken.
Mr. Valenti: So then its my understanding, and please correct me if Im wrong, that it will be Atty. McHugh deciding what special assignments are divvied to Atty. Jessell?
Mr. Archer: Thats correct.
Mr. Valenti: And that money, do we know at this time if that includes also the contemplated issues with water and sewer and the City of Waterbury, at this time?
Mr. Archer: At this time, no, that would be at Mr. McHughs discretion.
Mr. Valenti: Is it something we could be apprised of in advance, especially in light of, I know we discussed at the time of the appointment of the Town Attorney that there are some attorneys in this Town who have a prolific history and substantive dealings in this matter, and I would think if nothing else, in the interests of the financial bottom line of this Town, we may want to consider whether or not we want to go another route in that regard because of the fact that this attorney, that other attorneys may not have to be, quote unquote, brought up to speed.
Mr. Archer: Right.
Mr. Valenti: I dont know if thats something we can preserve for a later date or . . . .
Mr. Archer: Its not part of the Motion.
Mr. Valenti: No, Im not saying that it is. Im just wondering if that was something that would be precluded by voting in the affirmative on this Motion?
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Mr. Archer: I believe it would be, yes.
Mr. Valenti: All right, fair enough.
Mr. Archer: I think what you had said was would any further discussion on what is assigned to Atty. Jessell be precluded . . . .
Mr. Valenti: By voting in the affirmative on this . . . .
Mr. Archer: By voting on this . . . . on this Motion.
Mr. Valenti: Right, and I believe your indication was that it would be.
Mr. Archer: Correct.
Mr. Valenti: So if we vote in the affirmative, there would be no further input from the Council as to what legal work is assigned out to other counsel?
Mr. Archer: Correct.
Mr. Valenti: Okay, I just wanted to be clear.
Mr. archer: I just wanted to add, since you brought up the point of, I was going to add this anyway, whether you brought it up or not, you had mentioned, you know, in the financial interests of the Town, this is actually in response, in some part, when we were discussing appointing Atty. McHugh as the Town Attorney, I think Jean had brought up the idea that in the past she had thought that he had awarded some subcontracts to people who had charged exorbitant rates, and this is somewhat in response to that in that Atty. Jessell and his firm are going to do this work at exactly the same rate as was quoted by the Town Attorney, Mr. McHugh, so its a bit of an insurance that that will not be happening.
Ms. King: Our policy still, however, is that when a board of commission or someone wants to use legal services in the Town, they first go to the Manager, and then the Manager goes, I would then assume, to Mr. McHugh, and then Mr. McHugh then decides whether he handles it or someone else. Is that . . . . ?
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Mr. Archer: I believe that is currently how its done, yes. Theres nothing in this Motion that would change that.
Ms. King: I know.
In Favor: Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini, Mr. Wick
Opposed: Ms. King, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti
Abstained: None
MOTION CARRIED (6-3-0)
Mr. Archer: Before we move on to the next item, I neglected to mention after Item 8A, which was Consider Appointments to Boards and Commissions, for those folks who have just been appointed to a board or commission, the Town Clerk is here at this time and can actually do the swearing in at this time, I believe, in the hallway.
C. Consider Resolution Designating the VRPA as Implementing Agency Relative to the Making of the Grant by DECD for Brownfields (attached as Addendum 8C1)
The Town Council is being asked to consider passing a resolution to designate the Valley Regional Planning Agency as its implementing agency relative to making of a Grant by the Department of Economic and Community Development of Brownfields. Mary Barton, ZEO and the Towns Representative to the Valley Regional Planning Agency, recommends that the Town Council consider designating VRPA as Implementing Agency. This would allow the Town to participate with the Brownfields Pilot in obtaining grants and loans for environmental site investigations, assessments, and remediation.
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Mr. Hebert) to consider a Resolution designating the VRPA, which is the Valley Regional Planning Agency, as implementing agency relative to the making of Grant by the DECD for Brownfields.
Discussion: Ms. Adams: Could we just have, through the Chair, Chuck maybe, kind of maybe bring us up to speed on just where this is at, where its coming from?
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Mr. Frigon: The Valley Regional Planning Agency applies for funding through D.E.C.D. on an annual basis. Annually they receive $500,000, and that $500,000 is made available to any one of the participating communities from potential Brownfields identification and possible remediation. All 13 member C.O.G. community towns participate in this on an annual basis.
Ms. Adams: So were just then protecting our rights should we have a need for it.
Mr. Frigon: Should we have a need, thats correct. These funds would not be available to us if we do not vote in the affirmative for this.
Mr. Archer: So the only way to access these funds is through VRPA?
Mr. Frigon: Thats Correct.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Consider Approval of Ordinance Appropriating An Aggregate $1,175,000 for the Extension of Water Mains to Serve the Circuit Avenue and Westgate Road Service areas and of Sanitary Sewer Mains to Serve the Westgate Road Service Area, and Authorizing the Issue of Bonds or Notes and Temporary Notes in the Same Amount to Finance Said Appropriation (attached as Addendum 8D1, 8D2, 8D3, 8D4)
After holding a Public Hearing on this issue earlier tonight, the Town Council is asked to consider a vote to adopt the ordinance.
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Mr. Hebert) to consider approval of ordinance appropriating an aggregate of $1,175,000 for the extension of water lines to serve Circuit Avenue and Westgate Road service areas and of sanitary sewer mains to serve the Westgate Road Service area, and authorizing the issue of bonds or notes and temporary notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation.
Discussion: Ms. Adams: I just think its a, Im really glad to see this moving forward. At the Public Hearing tonight and at other meetings weve heard there are people who are in dire need of the water.
Mr. Archer: Chuck, a certain amount of this comes back from the State, is that correct, or no?
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Mr. Frigon: No, 100% (inaudible).
Ms. Adams: Is this amount reduced by the amount that the users will be contributing to this when we go by their house?
Mr. Frigon: There will be a special assessment (inaudible).
Ms. Adams: So that will then reduce the amount that the taxpayers, should this pass referendum.
Mr. Frigon: Yes, but it will be shown as a revenue (inaudible).
Mr. Rinaldi: Its not reflected here because you dont really know what its going to be (inaudible).
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
E. Consider Approval of Ordinance Appropriating an Aggregate $1,672,000 for a Cross-Town Water Line to Connect the Scovill Water Tower on Buckingham Street and the Straits Turnpike Water Tower at Georgetown Drive and for the Extension of Sewer Mains to serve the Gilbert Lane, Oak Street, and Lake Street Areas, and Authorizing the Issue of Bonds or Notes and Temporary Notes in the same amount to Finance Said Appropriation (attached as Addendum 8E1, 8E2, 8E3, 8E4)
After holding a Public Hearing on this issue earlier tonight, the Town Council is asked to consider a vote to adopt the ordinance.
MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to approve an ordinance Appropriating an Aggregate $1,672,000 for a Cross-Town Water Line to Connect the Scovill Water Tower on Buckingham Street and the Straits Turnpike Water Tower at Georgetown Drive and for the Extension of Sewer Mains to serve the Gilbert Lane, Oak Street, and Lake Street Areas, and Authorizing the Issue of Bonds or Notes and Temporary Notes in the same amount to Finance Said Appropriation.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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F. Consider Setting Date and Times and Ballot for a Referendum for Appropriating An Aggregate $1,175,000 for the Extension of Water Mains to serve the Circuit Avenue and Westgate Road Service areas and of Sanitary Sewer Mains to Serve the Westgate Road Service Area, and Authorizing the Issue of Bonds or Notes and Temporary Notes in the Same Amount to Finance Said Appropriation AND/OR Appropriating an Aggregate $1,672,000 for a Cross-Town Water Line to Connect the Scovill Water Tower on Buckingham Street and the Straits Turnpike Water Tower at Georgetown Drive and for the Extension of Sewer Mains to serve the Gilbert Lane, Oak Street, and Lake Street Areas, and Authorizing the Issue of Bonds or Notes and Temporary Notes in the same amount to Finance Said Appropriation (attached as Addendum 8F1)
Should the Town Council approve either or both of the Appropriation Ordinances considered tonight, a date, times, and ballot for referendum must be set.
MOTION: (Mr. Kane, sec. Mr. Hebert) to make March 12th Tuesday, date and time for a referendum for appropriating an aggregate $1,175,000 for the extension of water lines to serve the Circuit Avenue and Westgate Road service area, as well as sanitary sewer mains to serve the Westgate Road service area and authorizing the issue of bonds and notes, temporary notes in the same amount to finance this said appropriation. Also aggregate $1,672,000 for a cross-town water line to connect the Scovill water tower on Buckingham Street and Straits Turnpike in Watertown to Georgetown Drive for the extension of sewer mains to serve Gilbert Lane, Oak Street, Lake Street areas, and authorize the issue of bonds, notes, and temporary notesin the same amount to finance said appropriation to be set at 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Discussion: Ms. Adams: This will be two separate questions?
Mr. Archer: Yes.
Mr. Valenti: Is that part of the Motion then, that its two separate questions? Im not clear, Im sorry, Mr. Chairman. Okay.
Mr. Rinaldi What was the answer?
Mr. Valenti: The answer is yes.
Mr. Archer: So it is not part of the Motion, but yes, it is two separate questions.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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G. Consider Tax Refunds (attached as Addendum 8G1, 8G2, 8G3, 8G4)
The Town Council is being asked to approve the refunding of the overpayment of property taxes.
MOTION: (Ms. Adams, sec. Mr. Hebert) to approve the Tax Refunds as presented (attached as Addendum G1, G2, G3, and G4).
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Consider an Appropriation for Tax Refunds (attached as Addendum 8H1)
Monies from overpaid taxes have been deposited in the General Fund. Refunds that have been approved to date exceed the money, which had been set aside in a Tax Refund line item. When refunds are approved by the Town Council which exceed this amount, the Town must then add money to that line item from the General Fund where it had been deposited to pay this obligation.
MOTION: (Mr. Wick, sec. Ms. Adams ) that the Town Council appropriate $3,675 from the General Fund to Line Item 010-50341-043-0102 Tax Refunds (attached as Addendum H1).
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Public Participation
Gary Stewart, 575 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT 06795
Mr. Stewart: On the nominations of the Boards and Commissions I just want to state that I felt that was a bit of a waste of time. I dont see why they couldnt have been voted on in a package, and if there was one or more individuals that there was a question or that someone didnt want to (inaudible) approve, they could have been, through amendment to the Motion, drawn out of that vote and voted on separately, just those couple. In the mean time we have, whatever we have here, 30 or 40 people, including your group, that sat around for 20 minutes while we read those names twice. I thought it was a waste of time. Thank you.
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Gary Jablonski, 123 Inverary Drive, Watertown, CT 06795
Mr. Jablonski: I noticed on the Old Business for tonight you have listed here enforcement of municipal ordinances. Id just like to mention that during the last administration there was an update of the ordinances for the Town, but there was one that was left aside, and that was the Noise Ordinance, and it was left aside because there was a demand from the citizens of Watertown to do something about the noise in the Town. So Id like to know where that stands right now? I think Mr. Wick was part of the Ordinance Subcommittee, and Mr. Valenti too.
Mr. Valenti: Im no longer the Chair; its Mr. Wicks call.
Mr. Wick: Youre still on the committee, though.
Mr. Valenti: True.
Mr. Jablonski: Yea, I think there was discussions, there was one meeting for the subcommittee, the Ordinance Subcommittee, about having an update of this ordinance, and there were several people there from the Town, and they discussed concerns from barking dogs to traffic noise and to noise from air conditioners. As I understand it, at that time the Town Attorney, Mr. Pilicy, stated that the Noise Ordinance that we have in Town right now is probably not enforceable, and I agree with that, because that ordinance hasnt been approved by the Commissioner of the D.E.P. All the ordinances pertaining to noise control have to be approved by him, and that ordinance that was approved by the Town Council in 1993 I believe was, or in 92, that ordinance was never submitted to the Commissioner to the D.E.P., so it was never approved. So we have to fall back on the ordinance that was approved, and that ordinance isfrom the Torrington Area Health District, and that one was approved, I believe, in 1983. Now I dont know if theres anything as far as what this Town can do about updating that ordinance, whether the Town can create its own ordinance and then get that approved from the D.E.P., or to submit suggestions to the Torrington Area Health District to update that ordinance so it covers all the towns that are in the Torrington Area Health District. There are several suggestions that I could make. I dont know if I bring those up tonight or just at another meeting of the Sub Ordinance Committee?
Mr. Archer: Absolutely.
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Mr. Jablonski: As far as, there were several people for barking dogs. I would suggest that the Noise Ordinance as stated and as written through the Connecticut General Statutes, its more or less geared towards stationary noise devices. I would suggest that if you wanted control on an animal or barking dog, then we should adopt an animal control ordinance to go through, and I believe that would be the better place to be able to write down what we need to control animals. That would be in an animal control ordinance. As far as the noise ordinance goes, I believe there are some shortcomings in the noise ordinance. If the noise Ordinance through the Torrington Area Health District basically follows what the State says that you should do, and that is a minimum, and within those, the State Statutes, it says that you can make it more strict that what is in the State Statutes, and I believe thereare some shortcomings in the fact that when there is a noise that someone is complaining about, theres a measurement, you have to take a sound meter to measure the noise, and that is done a foot from the property line about 4 feet above the ground. Well thats not necessarily where the loudest point is. So I think that one of the shortcomings is that you should measure the noise where it is loudest, all right, so thats one of the suggestions that Im making that that be added to the Noise Ordinance. Another part is that it really doesnt address anything else but a reading on a meter. If youre looking at a noise, the main thing they say to do is just to take a reading on a meter and thats going to determine whether or not that noise is a nuisance. I think theres other issues that youd have to consider when you look at a noise to determine whether or not its a nuisance or not, and you should consider the character of the neighborhood, how longthe noise is occurring, and also the level and several other aspects of it. I dont know if anyone has any comments or anything about this or if anyone knows from the last administration what we had talked about, but Id like to see something done about it and where the status is right now of it.
Mr. Archer: As far as I know, and I just read the Minutes of this today very, very quickly, Minutes from the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting, I know it was raised as an issue then. I know there was some discussion . . . . .
Mr. Jablonski: This goes back several months, you mean, or when?
Mr. archer: No this was . . . .
Mr. Wick: January 22nd.
Mr. Archer: And I know this was raised as an issue and there was some discussion on it, and there was some discussion as well as to whether or not having an ordinance at the municipal level was even enforceable because it was superceded by the Torrington Area Health Ordinance and also the State Ordinance.
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Mr. Jablonski: Right, yea, thats what I found out too from the D.E.P. in Hartford. I called the D.E.P., the Commissioner, and I was referenced to an individual that handles all the (Tape #1, Side B ended may have missed some). . . . . and according to what we had on record, . . . . . is the ordinance from the Torrington Area Health District. There is nothing on the books in Hartford pertaining to the Noise Ordinance that was passed in either 1992 or 1993 from this Town.
Mr. Archer: So you know whether or not their ordinances supercede ours and whether or not a Town level ordinance is enforceable either legally or just practically . . . . .
Mr. Jablonski: It isnt. It isnt enforceable because it hasnt been approved by the D.E.P., so its not enforceable. It doesnt matter what it says, its not enforceable. It has to be approved by the D.E.P. Thats in the Connecticut General Statutes.
Mr. Archer: Right. Dick, maybe you could speak to how that was left at the meeting.
Mr. Wick: Well we have two options; one is to do as you say, which is to take the ordinance that we have written and to have it approved at D.E.P., and the other is to adopt the Torrington Area Health District language, and thats going to be on our Agenda for the Ordinance Committee meeting coming up, we hope, on the 16th if Paul is available. I havent had a chance to check with him yet, but were going to try and get another meeting of our subcommittee in before budget time comes around and were tentatively scheduling that for the 16th, which is a Thursday.
Mr. Valenti: The 16th is a Saturday.
Mr. Wick: The 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Annex. I hope.
Mr. Jablonski: Ive got some documentation that Id like to present at that time and also my suggestions also.
Mr. Wick: Thank you, that would be helpful.
Mr. Jablonski: First, the other thing was the Animal Control Ordinance. I dont know if you would take up that at that time, to adopt something like that.
Mr. Wick: We would not at that time, unless the Council formally charges us to study that. Were operating under a project system where the only projects we work on, I think on all the committees, are based upon a formal charge from the Council, so that might happen, but it isnt on the Agenda at this time.
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Mr. Jablonski: The only other issue I have is that recently youve said one way to contact the Town Council is through the web site and go through email. I visited that web site a couple of times and it seems like theres a lot to be desired on that web site. I dont know whos maintaining that or keeping and updating that, but I think there has to be a little bit of work done on that.
Mr. Archer: That is an understatement. How it came to be in sort of such ill state of maintenance is something of the past. How to correct that is something that the Town Manager and I have been discussing quite a bit, and thats something that were going to rectify in short order.
Mr. Jablonski: Are you looking for somebody to maintain that, or volunteers, or an organization . . . .
Unidentified Voice: Are you volunteering?
Mr. Jablonski: Yea, if you need somebody to do it, Id take a look at it. Sure.
Mr. Archer: Thats great.
Mr. Jablonski: Thats the type of work that I do so . . . .
Mr. Archer Great, a couple of things:
1. Thank you for that.
2. Thank you for the research that youve done on the ordinances. Ive said a lot of times that it cant be just the 9 of us behind the table here that make the difference, you know, when people come forward and volunteer and put a little time in it, and I appreciate your efforts.
Mr. Jablonski: I appreciate your having me here, and thank you.
Mr. Archer: And we may be contacting you about that web site.
Ms. King: Can I just ask, cause Dick said that his committee cant look at animal control unless we ask him to do that, is there some way? It seems to me that its very much linked to the problems of what has come up with people with noise, and this is one solution that might be looked at. Is there some way we could consider asking the Ordinance Committee to look at that?
Mr. Archer: That was the very next thing I was going to say before I went to Item 10. Dick, can we please look into adding canine control, to find a way to keep the dogs from barking, add that to the list of things to look into for the Ordinance Subcommittee?
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Mr. Wick: Yes.
Mr. Archer: Is there any further input from the public?
Mr. Stewart: Could I be put on your list of people to be notified for those meetings for the Ordinance on the dog barking and what not? Thats my request.
Mr. Archer: Are you volunteering?
Mr. Stewart: No, I want to attend the meetings, so I want to be kept up to date on when they are (inaudible).
Mr. Archer: I think theyre regularly posted.
Mr. Stewart: You mean you want me to go and look every time?
Mr. Archer: Well I think you could call the Town Clerks Office.
Mr. Jablonski: I forgot to mention one thing. When the ordinance for the noise was passed in 92 or 93, it was passed and no one knew that it had to be approved by the D.E.P., right, so it was just passed and they said okay, heres our noise ordinance, but it had to be approved by the D.E.P. So we just updated all of the ordinances for the Town, and it would seem to me that you have a Noise Ordinance, that okay, who knew that it had to be approved by the D.E.P., but we have other ordinances that seem to be more important. Do they have to be approved by an agency of the State, because all of the ordinances that we have have to be approved somewhere along the line? Who knows, we might not even have a skateboard ordinance.
Mr. Archer: You make a good point.
Mr. Jablonski: So I dont know how you would research all the ordinances that we have to see if some of them have to be approved.
Mr. Archer: I cant speak to whether or not that was part of the process or not.
Mr. Valenti: Well to Mr. Jablonskis concern, we did check that. Thats why we kept out the Noise Ordinance, because it didnt meet the parameter of D.E.P. approval, and there was one more. When we talked about smoking on school grounds, we came to learn that State Statutes precluded us at that time from acting, so we did kind of vet the ordinances to see which conflicted with any governing State Statute, so I think were pretty safe on that grounds. And Dick can chime in if Im wrong in that regard, but I think weve done a pretty thorough process of that.
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Mr. Jablonski: All right, good, thanks.
Mr. Archer: Is there anyone else wishing to speak at Public Participation? Anyone else? Okay, well close Public Participation.
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 8:33 p.m.
10. Old Business
Mr. Archer: Again, this is just sort of a laundry list of things that are Open or Tabled items.
Mr. Rinaldi: At the last Public Works Subcommittee we discussed the Sidewalk Fund usage and etc., etc., and I just happened to notice in the paper the other day that Woodbury got some grant money for sidewalks. Is there any way that we can get some of this money?
Ms. King: It was Bond Commission money. It was the kind of money that your Senator or State Rep gets, and it comes through bonding. And what its known colloquially in the good old days is the cats and dogs fund of the Legislature. It doesnt come from a Special Fund; it comes from when your State elected official wants to give you some money.
Mr. Archer: Is there any further discussion on Old Items?
A. Enforcement of Municipal Ordinances (Tabled 11/20/01)
B. Code of Ethics (referred to Ordinance Subcommittee 12/03/01)
C. Sidewalk Fund Usage (referred to Public Works Subcommittee 01/07/02)
D. Consider Supporting the efforts of the American Cancer Society, Match Coalition and CCN to repeal CGS language that prohibits municipalities from regulating smoking in our communities (Tabled 01/07/02)
E. Consider compensation package for Interim Town Manager (Tabled 01/07/02)
11. Executive Session
A. Personnel
B. Land Acquisition
MOTION (Mr. Kane, sec. Ms. Adams) to enter into Executive Session at 9:13 p.m. to discuss personnel and land acquisition.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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Present During Executive Session:
Elaine Adams
Lee Archer
Raymond Hebert, Jr.
Robert Kane
Jean King
Raymond Primini
Paul Rinaldi
Paul Valenti
Richard Wick
Charles Frigon, Interim Town Manager
Frank Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
Mr. Nardelli left the Executive Session at 9:40 p.m.
Mr. Frigon left the Executive Session at 10:05 p.m.
Mr. Archer, Chairman, Reconvened the Regular Meeting at 10:25 p.m.
12. Consider Compensation Package for Interim Town Manager
Mr. Archer: This is an Item that was Tabled previously, and I think were going to leave it as such.
13. Adjournment
MOTION: (Mr. Wick, sec. Mr. Hebert) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at 10:26 p.m.
Discussion: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting Adjourned at 10:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Archer, Chairman
Watertown Town Council
Approved: _______________________________
Lynn M. LaForme, Clerk |