MINUTES
REGU=
LAR
MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2006, 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: = &nb= sp; Elaine Adams
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Antonio Guerrera
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Robert Kane
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Carl Mancini
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Joseph Pawlak, Chairman
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Suzan Plowman
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Raymond Primini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Paul Rinaldi, Vice Chairman
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Jack Walton
ABSENT: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; None
OTHERS PRESENT: Frank Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Franklin Pilicy, Town Attorney
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Meredith Robson, Town Manager
1.&nb= sp; Call Meeting To Order
Mr. = Pawlak, Chairman, Called the Meeting to Order at 7:30 p.m.
2.&nb= sp; Roll Call
Ms. LaForme, Board Clerk, executed the Roll Call.
&= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
&nbs= p; MOTION: (Ms. Plowman, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to Add Agenda Item 10I, Consider Authorizing the= Town Manager to make a request for Special State Legislation to permit a manufacturer's equipment exemption and waiver of penalty for UTI Corp., d/b= /a Accellent.
&= nbsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 2
4.&nb=
sp; Public
Participation
Don Stepanik,
Mr. Stepanik: I've lived in
Kevin Killeen,
=
; Mr.
Killeen: It's certainly n=
ot my
intention either to criticize anyone personally but for some time now I've =
been
watching the budget process unfold, some of the committee stuff going on, a=
nd
to be honest with you it makes me sick.&nb=
sp;
We seem to be cutting this Town to the bone, little flesh by flesh a=
nd
it's not a good thing. We're
supposed to have pride in this Town and honestly I believe that people would
support me on this, that they want to see initiatives go forward, not
backward. They want to see our
departments, many of whom are here, department heads are here, I see
firefighters here, fully staffed, fully equipped to do their job in a moder=
n day
environment that would make it practical for them to do it as such. I've pretty much gotten tired of t=
he
rhetoric that I read in the Town Times.&nb=
sp;
I mean there's not word one spoken by members in Council meetings but
afraid of words when it comes to the written page and none of it is pertine=
nt
to what takes place in the Council meetings. It's all rhetoric. It's got to stop. What's its purpose? I am upset, it makes me sick. You talk about
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 3
Mary DeSisto,
=
; Ms.
DeSisto: If some of you d=
on't know
my job, I am the Tax Collector for the Town of
Mike Masayda,
Mr. Masayda: I'm an engineer for the State of <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on">
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 4
Mr. Pawlak: We'll get back to you on that, Mik= e.
Larry Black, Fire Chief
= ; Chief Black: I' like to speak t= o you briefly on two subjects. Firs= t I want to thank the Council for your assistance in our search for a new Deput= y Fire Marshall. The appointment was= made very difficult by the large number of very qualified individuals who applied for the position. I especially want to thank Councilwoman Adams, Manager Robson, Chairman Pawlak for all the help that you gave us and again I want = to thank all of your for your patience and assistance through the process.
Second the Fire Department, as you can see is here tonight, is here to express our concern with the Finance Subcommittee's recommendation to eliminate the fun= ding to the Fire Department Vehicle Replacement Fund. The reason this fund was started a= lmost 20 years ago was to ensure the adequate replacement of our larger fire truc= ks on a timely and regular basis and no matter what condition the rest of the budget process was in the fund was still there. Prior to this time these vehicles = were purchased with bonds or direct appropriations from the General fund. The account originally had $100,000 appropriated to it every year; this amount was increased over the years unt= il it reached $125,000 several years ago.&nbs= p; Since it's creation 5 pieces of apparatus have been purchased, each ranging from $280,000 to almost $400,000 in cost. The average age of the apparatus replaced was 29 years old. Our Finance Director, Frank Nardelli, oversees the account, invests it appropri= ately so it is earning interest while accumulating funds for the next apparatus purchase. When a purchase is = made the accumulated funds are directly paid to the vendors. We do not need to borrow the money = or bond the money, so no interest and no bonding fees are paid. If my calculations are correct, $1= 25,000 is less than 1/10 of a mill. = It is a constant in the budget, we know that we have to replace our trucks every = 25 to 30 years so we know when we will need the money. The taxpayers know it is there and expect it to be there. If we = go back to the old way of doing things, we will have to come to you every time= we need to replace a truck and our requests, if you accept them, at current pr= icing will be between $400,000 and $500,000 each, an increase of 4 times what we asked for each year. Requests= of this amount I am sure would have to be bonded, which means bonding fees, interest payments, and long term interest increase in the mill rate. The other alternative to bonding i= s to appropriate money from the General Fund.&n= bsp; When either of these options is done, the mill rate will have to be raised. Will it go down when = the purchase is complete? I've ne= ver seen that happen. The bottom = line is with the Vehicle Replacement Fund we purchase our trucks on a regular ba= sis, helping to keep our volunteers as safe as possible as at low a cost to the taxpayers as possible. Withou= t the fund we are taking a chance that our request be denied due to the budget situation at the time, and we would have to purchase the trucks at a larger cost to the taxpayers, something I don't think any of us would approve of.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Please continue to fund the Vehicl= e Replacement Fund at its current level. Th= ank you.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 5
Dave Hardt, Deputy Fire Chief
Deputy Chief Hardt: I stand before you tonight not onl=
y as
the Town's Deputy Fire Chief but also a concerned taxpayer. For about the last 2 decades the T=
own
Council has approved and the taxpayers have funded the Fire Department's
Vehicle Replacement Fund which started out at $100,000 per year at the
recommendation of I believe the Town Manager at the time, John Salomone, and
now today is funded at a rate of $125,000.=
Over the last 2 decades the Fire Department has replaced Engine 2, E=
ngine
1, Rescue 10, Engine 4, and presently Engine 6 in this year's with this Rep=
lacement
Fund. The total cost of the
vehicles replaced is about $1,300,000.&nbs=
p;
This has been done without going out to bond or with no associated c=
osts
with legal fees or bonding issues, has been in the Town's budget without ev=
er
being a target. This fund has=
been
looked at by several area towns as a way of replacing their fire apparatus
without having to raise taxes to cover the large number in the budget. For once
Jack Carroll, Chief of Police
= ; Chief Carroll: I stand in suppo= rt of my brother Fireman. I think I= 'm in a unique position because I've been on both sides. I know how important public safety= is, this Finance Committee stood up and made public safety priority #1. Well let me tell you something, st= art putting your antennas up, because we don't hear you. Okay? I stand in support not only the cu= ts in the Fire Department, in the Police Department are outrageous. So please give this some consideration. Thank you.
Laura Smith, 279 Straits Turnpike,=
Ms. Smith: I just wanted to apologize for my = open frustration at the last meeting. I think I've been spending too much time with a toddler in the throes of the Terrible Twos and it's wearing off on me.&= nbsp; I just want to take another stab at making my point in a cooler fash= ion and that is I think I was frustrated because I was expecting more of a discussion on your thoughts on the Straits Turnpike sewer project and there= was just sort of a brief call for more numbers on a shortened line and it was t= he first I had heard of having a shortened line at an actual meeting, other th= an being brought up by other Town members, I hadn't heard anything from the Council, so that was sort of a shock to me. I guess I sort of have a request f= or you and that is, I know you can't discuss everything in detail at every meeting, you just wouldn't be able to get anything done, I understand that, but my request is that maybe you could toss out a summary of your discussions that you're having, not at the meetings, so that the public could be aware of wh= at's going on so we don't get kind of this playing catch up in trying to figure = out what's going on. It's my understanding that currently the project has been kicked back to the sewer = to look at maybe shortening the line, that that's not something you guys can d= o as a Council, so you've kicked it back to the Sewer Department to see if that'= s a possibility to shorten the line?
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 6
Mr. Pawlak: Yes, that correct, and we're still waiting for numbers on that, we haven't received those yet.
=
; Ms.
Smith: Right, I figured t=
hat's
pretty quick to get those back. So
then at this point the whole project, going just past
Mr. Pawlak: Everything is in limbo. We're waiting.
= ; Ms. Smith: Is it a reasonable request of mine to say that when things are on the Agenda as a discussion t= hat there could be a general sort of a summary as to the Council's thoughts?
= ; Mr. Pawlak: The only thing th= at really comes up is when we discuss it at Council, we don't get together as a group behind closed doors and discuss the pros and cons of it, unless it's = a 1 on 1 situation, but there's no formal meeting other than when we sit down h= ere and go over it.
Ms. Smith: Okay, well then how are things act= ually progressing? How are things m= oving? How are you decided to send it bac= k to the Sewer Department? That wa= sn't decided at a meeting.
Mr. Pawlak: At that meeting we did decide to s= end it back to the Water & Sewer Authority for new numbers, for both the assessment and the construction; we haven't received those yet. I think we'= re waiting for the assessment, is that correct? We haven't received that yet or the construction updates, correct?
= ; Ms. Robson: Yes.
= ; Ms. Smith: I'm sorry, I didn't realize that that was the section that was going back to the . . . that that was their authority to do that. I thought that was Ms. Robson's, was getting the numbers on that.
= ; Mr. Pawlak: No, that's Water = & Sewer.
= ; Mr. Rinaldi: The only thing t= he Council does, its function here, is to decide whether we're going to financ= e a project or not. If we choose = to finance it, how are we going to finance it, if we choose not to, the project dies, but everything else is discussed at Water & Sewer. They're going to discuss whether y= ou need it, the pros and cons, they'll welcome any petitions, this is their job. Once they analyze all th= is and they decide it's a good project, then they send it along to us. If they decide they don't want to = do it, they just hold it back at Water & Sewer, but when it gets to us it's strictly do we finance it or not, that's basically what we do. There's not really a heck of a lot= for us to discuss for the fact of are we going to or aren't we going to and tha= t's it, so I know what you're wondering, but I think the Water & Sewer woul= d be the best place to get, if you're looking for discussions reasons, or what t= heir logic is for doing a project, that's really Water & Sewer's domain, and= I think it's a fair question, you deserve answers, but that would be the plac= e to get them, I don't think we could help you here as far as that goes.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 7
Ms. Smith: Thank you very much.
Donna Masi,
Ms. Masi: I'm here as a member of the Preserv=
ation
of the Town Hall Committee. A=
s I
understand it, we would like to act as the Town's agent in preserving the
historical building of the Town Hall, just the building itself, and what we
would like to do is to be able to act as the Town's agent, and in doing thi=
s we
would like to be covered by the Town's insurance. I was just wondering if that's pos=
sible? I know the Bicentennial Committee =
acted
as the Agent of the Town and was covered by the insurance, as was the
Ms. Robson: I did speak with our insurance repr= esentatives and I'm not sure of the specifics of when those other two organizations wer= e formed, but I know at least in the case of the Oakville Green Committee, that was u= nder a different insurance carrier. Right now we're under CIRMA, and they have taken a look at it and co= me back to me and said that because the organization is a separate, non-profit agency with their own appointments to boards of directors, there is no cont= rol by the Town in terms of who those individuals are, there's no fiscal contro= l on the part of the town in terms of how the fundraising is done, that that wou= ld not be an organization that would be covered under the Town's insurance.
Ms. Masi: Could we purchase a rider under the Town's insurance, the committee itself?
Ms. Robson: No, you'd have to have separate ins= urance completely.
Ms. Masi: Then as I understand it, is it poss= ible to still act on behalf of the Town in preserving the Town Hall building?
Mr. Pawlak: To be honest I'm not sure. I'd have to defer to Franklin Pili= cy on that matter.
Ms. Masi: One of the reasons why we need to do this, as I understand it, is for grants.&n= bsp; We wanted to apply for grants and we wouldn't be able to do that or = get any grants if it isn't under the auspices of the Town, that's my understand= ing of the grant process. If we g= o back to the Bicentennial Committee, I believe they were a non-profit group with their own board of directors also, that was I believe in 1996, they were covered under the auspices of the Town.
Mr. Pawlak: I don't know.
Ms. Masi: So are you saying that if we didn't= have a board of directors and we weren't a non-profit organization, we would be = able to be covered under the policy?
Ms. Robson: If you were a group formed by the T= own Council, members were appointed by the Town Council, all the fiduciary resp= onsibilities wee a function of the Town and not a separate group, then I believe you cou= ld be covered.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 8
Mr. Pawlak: Meredith, is this problem that we're facing here as a result in the change of carriers?
Ms. Robson: Well I'm sure they do if in fact the other committees were covered under, then they do have different coverage r= equirements. I don’t know the particulars= of those other organizations.
Mr. Pawlak: Do you have anything in writing fro= m our insurance?
Ms. Robson: Yes.
Mr. Pawlak: Can you forward a copy of that to m= e?
Ms. Robson: Sure.
Mr. Pawlak: And then we can forward it to the committee and they can take a look at it.
Ms. Masi: Is it possible that we cold look at= other insurance carriers?
Ms. Robson: I don't know that that would be in = the Town's best interest.
Norman Stephen, 89 Falls Avenue, <=
st1:place
w:st=3D"on">
Mr. Stephen: I also represent the Preservation C= ommittee for the Town Hall, and as you know we have two questions before you, one of them is recognition and I know you've been working on that, and we also had= a concern about the tarps and we had asked for some help from the Town concer= ning that. You've heard a lot of testimony from Mary, our esteemed Tax Collector, tonight and everything she said is very true. What we wa= nt to know is where we stand on that and is there anything that you can inform us= of tonight?
Mr. Pawlak: I do have some correspondence from = the Public Buildings Committee which I will cover when I get to my section of t= he report and elaborate on it a little bit more for you.
Dave Bromley,
Mr. Bromley: I'm a Police Sergeant and Oper=
ations
Manager. I asked for 6 cars this year because that's what we need. Now we're cut down to 2 cars. I hear a lot of rumors that everyb=
ody
thinks we have too many cars. We
have 25 cars. Every one is as=
signed
and used. We have problems wi=
th our
cars now. As we stated at the=
last
meeting, we had to get more money because of the breakdowns. I have cars over 100,000 miles.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 9
I
asked for 6 cause that's what I needed, 6.=
You need to put more cars back in the budget. If anyone needs to know where thes=
e cars
are assigned, if you want to run cars 24/7 like most towns do,
Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 8:00 p.m.
5.&nb=
sp; Minutes
&= nbsp; A. Regular Meeting Minutes – March 20, 2006
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Mr. = Mancini, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated March 20, 20= 06 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
6.&nb= sp; Chairman’s Report
&= nbsp; A. Correspondence
=
Mr. Pawlak: Received a letter from Representat=
ive
Sean Williams regarding our request to the State Bonding Commission. You've probably all read about thi=
s in
the paper, with respect to the $600,000 grant that
= I also have correspondence from Public Buildings Committee, recommendations f= or Town Hall repairs. This is fr= om Chairman Bob Porter::
"M= arch 23, 2006
Mr. Jos= eph Pawlak
Chairma= n
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 10
Re: Recom= mendations for Town Hall Repairs
Dear Jo= e:
The Pub= lic Buildings Committee met on March 15, 2006 to discuss what repairs the Town would have to make to the Town Hall to eliminate water penetration through = the roof and walls. The discussio= n took place with Chuck Frigon, and involved what we feel is the minimum type of repairs required to safeguard the structure, should the Town Council proceed with this work.
NOTE:=
As
a minimum:
= &nb= sp; 1. Re-roof with 50 year life architectural shingles, copper valley, drip, rake and counter flashing, rid= ge cap and counter flashing as needed. It should be noted that the roof rafters and decking is an open item until slate is removed.
= &nb= sp; 2. Re-point chimney.
= &nb= sp; 3. Remove and replace metal fina= ls.
= &nb= sp; 4. Clean and re-point and seal exterior brickwork.
= &nb= sp; 5. Remove and replace existing windows.
= ; &n= bsp;
Prior to any exterior work being performed, a structural analysis should be done. We should do this work = on a design/build basis.
= ; &n= bsp;
Please respond with any comments/concerns by Monday, March 27, 2006 via phone or email.
= ; &n= bsp;
= ; &n= bsp; Sincerely,
= ; &n= bsp; = ;
= ; &n= bsp; Robert Porter, Chairman
= ; &n= bsp;
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: We do not have any particulars with respect to the recommendations made by the Public Buildings Committee with respect to costs or time required. With one exception, I know that th= e Purchasing Agent, Chuck Frigon, has received costs for redoing the roof, two different ways. One I believe was a tea= r off and replace with slate and that came in at about $99,000 and the other one using a composite material, I think we discussed this before, again would b= e a tear off and replace with a 50 year life warrantee and that was around $55,000. Any of these other 4= items we have no costs on those, so we will continue to look at that. I wills ay this, Meredith, have yo= u met with your department heads on this one?
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: This week we will= .
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 11
&=
nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: The Town Manager is meeting with her
department heads to discuss our options with respect particularly to the
employees who are working in the Town Hall. We are concerned with their enviro=
nment
and we are looking at several things.
First and foremost we are looking at remediation of whatever
microbiologicals are present on the second floor and in the basement, we're
also looking at the possibility of moving them someplace else, and there ar=
e 3 possibilities
if I remember correctly. One =
of
them is
&= nbsp; I also want to thank Chief Black, Meredith Robson, and Elaine Adams for the w= ork they did with respect to the search that we performed to fund our Deputy Fi= re Marshall. I think we did a good job. We had good people applying for it= , the selection process was pretty unique, Larry did a good job on that, and I th= ink the interviewing process worked out well and we had an unanimous decision on our choice and I'm pleased that we could close this out and appoint Doug la= ter on in this meeting.
&= nbsp; Th= is is an award for Frank J. Nardelli, it's a letter form the Government Finance Officer's Association:
&= nbsp; &q= uot;Dear Ms. Robson:
&= nbsp; We are pleased to notify you that your comprehensive annual financial report f= or the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 qualifies for a Certificate of Achievem= ent for Excellence in Financial Reporting.&nbs= p; The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represe= nts a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
&= nbsp; The Certificate of Achievement plaque will be shipped to Frank J. Nardelli, Jr., Finance Director under separate cover in about eight weeks."
&= nbsp; We will arrange for a formal presentation.&nb= sp; Once again, Frank, thanks for a job well done.
&= nbsp; Mr. Nardelli: Thank you very much and I'd also l= ike to thank the Finance Department too cause they were also involved in this so t= hank you.
&= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: Is this 13 or 14?
&= nbsp; Mr. Nardelli: 13.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 12
7. =
Town
Manager's Report
&= nbsp; Ms. Robson: I was going to di= scuss the Town Hall, but you beat me to the punch, Mr. Chairman. Hopefully, as I said, we'll have s= ome recommendations ready for you by the next meeting.
= The other thing I wanted to let you know is that the E.P.A. approved money for = the Pin Shop Project, the Steel Brook Project and the Pin Shop piece of it, so = that will be moving forward with the Valley C.O.G. taking the lead on that, gett= ing the work done, and we expect to get a report probably in 4 months or so.
= Mr. Pawlak: I did want to mention, and I know obviously there are people here concerned with the budget and its status and what we've done, I believe the next meeting on the budget is the 25th of Ap= ril, correct, Public Hearing, and immediately after the Public Hearing then the Council takes up the budget itself for formal ratification if you will, so = just for your information, the item that's on the Agenda tonight is setting the = Hearing date, we are not going to discuss the agenda as far as I'm concerned, it's = just to set the Hearing date, so between now and then if you have additional opinions you would like to forward to any of the Council Members or to the = Town Manager, feel free to do so. = We'll obviously have Town Council meetings between now and then and please come f= orth and state your mind at the podium, as long as we don't get out of order, no personal attacks, we welcome everybody to come up and speak their mind.
8.&nb=
sp; Subcommittee
Reports
&= nbsp; A. Public Works Subcommittee
= Mr. Rinaldi: No report. We have a meeting this week.
&= nbsp; B. = Business Development Subcommittee
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Guerrera: No report. We had a meeting last week but we = were supposed to meet again this week but I was away most of the week so we'll definitely have a report for the next meeting.
&= nbsp; C. Finance Subcommittee
= ; Mr. Mancini: We met for the l= ast time on the 30th and we're proposing to the Town Council the following budget: Budget for the Town $20,694,835, Board of Education $31,561,823, for a total of $52,256,658, wh= ich is a 5.95% increase which translates into a 1.12 mill increase, or two numb= ers that everybody wants to know is the 5.24 tax increase.
&= nbsp; D. Ordinance Subcommittee
= ; Ms. Plowman: We have an item = on the Agenda for the release of motor vehicle tax liens.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 13
9.&nb=
sp; Unfinished
Business
None
10.&n=
bsp; New
Business
&= nbsp; A. Consider Appointment of Deputy Fire Marshall
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Ms. Plowman, sec. Mr. Primini) to appoint Douglas Halliwell as Deputy Fire Mars= hall, effective April 10, 2006 at an annual salary of $47,000 until completion of= the required certification training. Upon completion, the annual salary will be $52,000.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: = ; Mr. Pawlak: Doug, I believe y= ou've been with the Fire Department for 38 years, worked for the Postal Department for 37 years, Vietnam Veteran, 2 Bronze Stars. I congratulate you, I salute you.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> I think we made a great choice, the Selection Committee. Any comm= ents?
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
= ; &n= bsp; Applause.
=
; =
; Mr.
Halliwell: I'd like to th=
ank
the Town Manager and the entire Town Council for the support in giving me t=
his
opportunity to serve the Town of
&=
nbsp; B. =
Consider
Acceptance of Open Space for
=
; &n=
bsp; MOTION: (Ms. =
Plowman,
sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to Accept the open space on
=
; &n=
bsp; Discussion: =
; Mr.
Rinaldi: This is the walk=
way around
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Ms. Barton: Yes it is. In the packet there is a memo, it'=
s a
1.695 acres that will be deeded to the Town that abuts
= ; &n= bsp; = ; = ; Mr. Pawlak: There was no map = included, but from what I read it looks like it's about 4/5 of a mile, completely aro= und and it's going to be graded.
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 14
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Ms. Barton: We just received = the final maps and I'll be more than happy to show them to you. The Parks and Rec staff, Town Engi= neer, myself, and my assistant are actually going to go out and field locate it n= ow that the weather is nice and then go back to Planning and Zoning and Park a= nd Rec to decide specifically on what the trail is going to be.
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Ms. Adams: This was something= I think that was unique that we had a developer in the Town working together = for the betterment of the Town. P= aul, Joe, Rob, and Ray were on the Council when we were working on this and it's just a true benefit to the Town working with Joe Polletta.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
C. &nbs=
p; Consider
Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter Into and Execute on Behalf of the Tow=
n of
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Ms.
Plowman, sec. Ms. Adams) to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Town Man=
ager
to Enter Into and Executive on Behalf of the Town of
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: This is about a $122,500 grant.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Robson: Our Fire Chief is looking into that. The original grants wer= e much more restrictive than they are now. We're looking to see exactly what type of equipment we'll be able to purchase through this grant.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: Is it limited to = fire or is it possible we can use it for police?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Robson: I believe it's both.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Is there a possibility we can use = some of this for the $400,000 communication upgrade you're looking at?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: We'll have to tak= e a look at that; talk with the State.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 15
&= nbsp; D. Consider a Request from the Watertown Recreation Swim Team to Endorse the Submission= of a Grant for a Score Clock to be Installed in the Pool Area at Watertown High School
MOTION: &nbs=
p; (Ms.
Plowman, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to Endorse the Watertown Recreation Grant
Application for a Score Clock to be installed in the Pool Area at
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: = ; Mr. Pawlak: There are some ot= her items that were listed in the packet, totaling about $5,700 but the LED dis= play was $37,000.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: It's my understanding you'd be looking at the entire amount which is $43,600, but our Recreation Director = is here if there are any particular questions.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: Lisa?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Carew: It would be $43,600.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: So it's the total package, the tou= ch pads and everything else? Okay. Will the grant m= oney cover all of it? Hope so.
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; E. = Consider Hiring Special Counsel for Planning and Zoning Commission for Representatio= n in connection with the Heritage Development Project
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Ms. Plowman, sec. Mr. Mancini) to enter into an agreement with Atty. Warren Hes= s to be appointed as special counsel for the Planning and Zoning Commission with respect to the Heritage Development Project at an hourly rate of $135.00.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: = ; Mr. Kane: I'm just pleased to= see that Atty. Hess is at $135.00, unlike some of the other attorneys we've hir= ed at a higher rate.
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; F. = Consider Setting Budget Public Hearing Date, Time and Place to hear comments on the = proposed Fiscal Year 2006/2007 Budget
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Ms. Plowman, sec. Mr. Mancini) to set a Budget Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Watertown High School Auditoriu= m.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: = ; None
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 16
&=
nbsp; G. Consideration
of Architect for
MOTION: &nbs=
p; (Ms.
Plowman, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to Authorize the Town Manager to enter into and
execute on behalf of the Town of
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: = ; None
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Nardelli: The funding for that?
&nb= sp; Ms. Robson: We'll have to appropriate money at another time.
&=
nbsp; H. Consider
Setting a Public Hearing Date, Time, and Place to hear comments on the Prop=
osed
Citation Ordinance and Motor Vehicle Tax Administrative Fee Ordinance
MOTION: &nbs=
p; (Ms.
Plowman, sec. Mr. Mancini) to Set a Public Hearing to hear comments on a
Proposed Citation Ordinance and Motor Vehicle Tax Administrative Fee Ordina=
nce
to be held on April 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at =
; &n=
bsp; Discussion: =
; None =
; &n=
bsp; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; I. &=
nbsp; Consider
Authorizing the Town Manager to make a request for MOTION: &nbs=
p; (Ms.
Plowman, sec. Mr. Rinaldi) to Approve Authorizing the Town Manager to solic=
it
the State Legislature to permit a Manufacturer's Equipment Exemption and Wa=
iver
of Penalty for UTI Corp., d/b/a Accellent. =
; &n=
bsp; Discussion: =
; Mr.
Pawlak: The reason this i=
s back
on the Agenda, many of you will recall it was on the Agenda a couple of wee=
ks
ago, it has come to my attention that there was some confusion as to actual=
ly
what we were doing or trying to do, so rather than let a perhaps mistaken v=
ote
go forth, we put it back on the Agenda and we'll try to get as complete and
accurate explanation of what we want to do or not do so that everybody can =
vote
on it correctly. Regular Meeting April 3, 2006 Page 17 =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Mr. Kane: I agree that I kind of misunde=
rstood
the whole situation as well. =
In
listening to Frank my understanding was we were going to lose the penalty as
well as the exemption that comes from the State of Connecticut on manufactu=
ring
equipment, but in talking to Frank later that's not the case. We're going to get the amount we
deservedly are supposed to get, so it's really not a loss. My understanding was it was a loss=
, the
first time we talked about this, so maybe Frank could talk about the State =
Exemption. =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Mr. Nardelli: That's right. The State exemption is if they fil=
e the
personal property tax report on time.
We take that personal property report, send it to the State, and then
the State reimburses us under that manufacturing grant. Of course if they don't file it on=
time,
then they're not eligible for that grant and all they were asking for was t=
he
Council's approval to go through Sean Williams at the State to apply for th=
at
manufacturer's reimbursement, which they would have been entitled to if they
had filed on time, so like you said, if they had filed on time, there would=
be
no loss to the Town. It's the
penalty obviously we're losing on, but that's something we wouldn't have be=
en
entitled to if they had filed on time. =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Mr. Primini: I would just like to encourage
everybody to vote yes on this, simply because I think it's the right thing =
to
do, encourage business to stay in Town as well as welcome new business to T=
own. =
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Mr. Guerrera: I agree. I think we should vote yes on this=
. =
; &n=
bsp; In
Favor: &=
nbsp; Ms.
Adams, Mr. Guerrera, Mr. Kane, Mr. Mancini, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Primini, Mr.
Rinaldi, Mr. Walton =
; &n=
bsp; Opposed: =
Mr.
Pawlak =
; &n=
bsp; Abstained: None =
; &n=
bsp; MOTION
CARRIED (8-1-0) =
; &n=
bsp; Ms. Adams: I think we need to get the let=
ter to
Sean Williams ASAP, like first thing tomorrow morning, so he can file for t=
he
bill. =
; &n=
bsp; Mr. Pawlak: Can you take care of that Meredith?=
=
; &n=
bsp; Ms. Robson: Yes. Regular Meeting April 3, 2006 Page 18 11.&n=
bsp; Public
Participation Tess Beauchamp, Ms. Beauchamp: This is taking a lot of courag=
e; I'm
a classroom speaker, not a public speaker.=
I'm proud of my former students who are serving on this Council and =
I'm
very proud of this young man here (Mr. Halliwell) who started out with me in
the first grade. I also had B=
ernie
in the 5th grade. There
are 8 of us here that are representing the Committee that's trying to save =
the
Town Hall, so with your indulgence I'd just like to read some of my notes.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The citizens of this Town are bein=
g held
hostage to their pocketbooks, regardless of the crumbling around them. We have not only a deplorable cond=
ition
at the Town Hall, we have roads that attack the undersides of our cars, we =
have
schools that lack accreditation, we have maintenance that hasn't been able =
to
be continued, we have ball fields that have eroded, we have police protecti=
on
that is without the necessary manpower, outdated and outmoded community ser=
vice
safety equipment. Shall I go
on? I don't think it's necess=
ary. You can do that for yourselves and=
add
your own thoughts. We
buy and/or we build expensive homes, they house us and our families, and we
want protection from fire, from theft, and from deterioration. We fix our home roofs, we clean our
gutters, and we paint the exterior; it makes sense to do that. Why? So they won't deteriorate and lose=
their
value. It makes sense to you =
to fix
and want all these things, and your pocketbook responds accordingly to each=
and
every thing that shows neglect, and therefore we know is needed. Why do we say it's financially res=
ponsible
for Town buildings and services?
The Town Council is only an arm of our citizenry. We, all of us, are the financial
obligants. Repairs cant wait;=
we've
waited too long. I'm ashamed =
and
I'm saddened for not stepping forward sooner. I've thought about it and talked a=
bout
it for some time, and now I feel it's time to rise to the occasion and open=
our
pocketbooks, all of us. We ne=
ed to
support the Town Hall emergency.
Let's not fight it. Le=
t's
just jump in and do our part and involve everyone, especially our youth, who
will then realize the significance of the pride in self and in their
surroundings. We must therefo=
re
take a very proactive attitude, and once we are recognized by you, the Coun=
cil,
it is our intent to muster canvassers who will join us in going door to doo=
r to
solicit funds for this preservation project. That way all inhabitants, think ab=
out
it, all inhabitants of this Town should feel that they've done their part to
preserve part of the history of this community. We have a plan of how we would be =
asking
each and every individual, we can start here tonight. The Firemen left, but basically we=
had
close to 100 people. Just thi=
nk if
everybody gave $100. My gosh!=
We could get a lot done, couldn't =
we? We
have a plan, our canvassers would do it, we have a plan to be recognized by=
the
Council and by people so that no fraud will happen, and we ask your
indulgence. We want to restor=
e the
pride that we have in our community and people can therefore look and say y=
ou
know what, I helped. I thank =
you
all very very much. And this =
took a
lot of courage, you have no idea what's happening in my stomach. Thank you. Regular Meeting April 3, 2006 Page 19 Gary Stewart, Mr. Stewart: First off I'd like to echo what Te=
ss
just said. I'm also in favor =
of
preserving the Town Hall. Sec=
ondly
with regard to the Police Department budget and the Fire Department budget,=
I
would like to ask the Council to reconsider the cuts that have been propose=
d to
date. I think it's amply clea=
r that
those items were put in the budget because they were necessities, not just a
wish list, and I've been thinking about this for several days since that
article appeared indicating the cuts of the police cars, and on officer, et=
c.
and the only thing I can say is that putting off the needs of today until
tomorrow amounts to deficit spending.
I don't care what the green bars say, tomorrow it's going to cost us
more, and it's not just going to cost us twice as much, it's going to cost =
us
inflation and further deterioration, and as an example, the roads. We put off maintenance on the roads
today that maybe could be solved by an overlayment and in 5 years when we
finally get around to it, and the only reason we will is because of massive=
complaints
or claims against the Town for damage to people's vehicles, now we don't ne=
ed
an overlay anymore, now we need to rip up the road and start anew. Putting off today's needs until to=
morrow
is deficit spending. I don't =
care
what the budget, what the green bars say at the end of the year, that we
managed to squeak by on "x" number of dollars, because we did not=
squeak
by on those dollars. Thank yo=
u. Mr.
Pawlak, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 8:35 p.m. 12.&n=
bsp; Executive
Session &=
nbsp; A. Land
Acquisition <=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: None<= /p>
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Present During Executive Session:
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Elaine Adams
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Antonio Guerrera
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Robert Kane
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Carl Mancini
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Pawlak
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Suzan Plowman
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Raymond Primini
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Paul Rinaldi
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Jack Walton
Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
Page 20
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Frank Nardelli
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Franklin Pilicy
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Meredith Robson
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak, Chairman Reconvened the Regular Meeting at 9:10 p.m.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; No Motions Were Made; No Votes Were Taken.
13.&n=
bsp; Adjournment
= ; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Mr. Mancini) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at 9:10 p.m.
<=
/span>Discussion: None<=
/p>
<=
/span>MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY <=
/span>Regular
Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully
submitted, Joseph
Pawlak, Chairman Approved: _______________________________ Lynn M. LaF=
orme,
Clerk