MINUTES
REGU=
LAR
MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 7, 2007, 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: = &nb= sp; Elaine Adams
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Robert Kane
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Carl Mancini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; 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: &nb= sp; = Antonio Guerrera
OTHERS PRESENT: Chuck Frigon, Town Manager
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Frank Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
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.
4.&nb=
sp; Public
Participation
None
Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 7:32 p.m.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 2
5.&nb=
sp; Minutes
&= nbsp; A. Regular Meeting Minutes – April 16, 2007
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Approve the Regular= Meeting Minutes dated April 16, 2007 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
6.&nb= sp; Chairman’s Report
A. Correspondence
1. = Letter from Town Hall Preservation Commission, Re: Appreciation for seed money, dated= April 20, 2007.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: "Dear Mr. Pawlak: We'd like to thank yo= u and the members of the Town Council for the generous allocation of $2,500 as se= ed money toward our cause. The f= unds will greatly help our upcoming fundraising campaign, which kicks off May 1.=
= T= he allocation means more to us than just a financial transfer to our account.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> We feel it represents a level of commitment from the Town Council to our efforts. We hope to find similar support wi= thin the community, as we seek $1 from every Town resident as a symbolic gesture= of support.
=
T=
he
Town Hall Preservation Commission hopes to set forth an effort to preserve =
the
historic town landmark, a symbol of our town government and our community's
history. All residents of
=
P=
lease
feel free to contact any commission members with questions and comments.
= S= incerely, Kelly MaGuire, Secretary"
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: I think everybody received in their package an evaluation form for our esteemed Town Manager = and if you would please, fill those out and get those back to me by May 21st, s= o I can compile them and we can sit down with our esteemed, well tanned Town Manager and review his performance.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 3
= I also have a report from Frank Nardelli on the March and April overtime. It was $69,000 for March, the bulk= of which was for the Highway Department, snow $33,000 roughly. The Police Department is still get= ting back up there, I should say, again, $18,700. And in April everybody dropped bac= k down including the Police Department, but they're still at $15,400 and I know we have an initiative going forth to address that both on-going and within the contract, so hopefully we'll see some results on this.
=
I
talked to Mr. Frigon earlier this afternoon, we are going to resume our
= D= epartment Head Salaries, we still have to, I need some information, input from the Council regarding the salaries for the department heads and their positions with respect to the deferred compensation.= I haven't heard anything on that yet.
=
J=
ust
a reminder, we have a Budget Public Hearing tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at
= Ms. Adams: Joe, I will be late, I have a wake= to go to at 6:00 p.m.
= Mr. Kane: I'll be late as well.
= Mr. Pawlak: I did receive a letter from the Fi= re District, from Dave Minnich, the Chairman, who is here. I believe everybody got it in their packet:
= &= quot;Dear Mr. Frigon:
= W= atertown Fire District voters and the Watertown Fire District Commission at meetings held this date voted to 1) change the method of paying District sewerage sy= stem costs from property taxes to a charge based on water usage and 2) relinquish the right to exercise zoning powers within the Fire District. Both questions were approved by Di= strict voters and the District Commission.
= P= lease accept this letter as notice that the Watertown Fire District will not exer= cise zoning powers within the Fire District after June 30, 2007. I encourage the Town Attorney to d= iscuss with our District Attorney appropriate procedures for a smooth transition of zoning services.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 4
= In accordance with Connecticut State Law, existing structures are not affected= by future zone changes. On July = 1, 2007 I will cause to be filed with the Watertown Town Clerk a certified cop= y of Fire District zoning regulations and maps.
= S= incerely,
= D= avid E. Minnich, Chairman"
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: Chuck, I believe = we're well along on that one, is that correct, do we e= xpect that that should be a relatively smooth transition?
= Mr. Frigon: At this point I expect it to be ve= ry smooth.
= ; Mr. Pawlak: I do have to say = that this next letter is really, the repetition is almost getting to be boring.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> It's a letter from the Government = Finance Officers Association to Charles Frigon.
= &= quot;Dear Mr. Frigon:
= We are pleased to notify you that your comprehensive annual financial report f= or the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 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.
= T= he Certificate of Achievement plaque will be shipped to: Frank J. Nardelli, Jr., Finance Di= rector under separate cover in about eight weeks.= We hope that you will arrange for a formal presentation of the Certificate and Award of Financial Reporting Achievement, and that appropri= ate publicity will be given to this notable achievement. To assist with this, enclosed are a sample news release and the Certificate Program "results" for rep= orts with fiscal years ended during 2005 representing the most recent statistics available.
= We hope that your example will encourage other government officials in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in fi= nancial reporting.
= S= incerely,
= G= overnment Finance Officers Association
= S= tephen J. Gauthier, Director"
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: Frank, congratula= tions again.
= Mr. Frigon: I certainly didn't want to steal y= our thunder, but procedurally that was under the Town Manager's report.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 5
=
; Mr.
Nardelli: I'd like to tha=
nk the
Finance Department and the esteemed
= Ms. Adams: How many is that in a row, Frank, = 18?
= ; Mr. Nardelli: I think it's ab= out 15.
= Mr. Pawlak: There is one other item that I hav= e to address, because I'm sure there is some misunderstanding, was some misunderstanding as to exactly what took place back on the meeting of April= 2nd that concerned the Highmeadow question that was on the agenda, and I believe pretty much everybody, I think, was under the impression that we were votin= g to either approve the use of that by Moosa Rafey and his wife, or to deny that. In fact that was not the case. It was a poorly worded = item on the agenda. I did not have= this letter obviously, it was written on the 27th by Atty. Hess, and I want to m= ake sure that this is in public record.
= &= quot;The purpose of this letter is to clarify the status of the matter noted above.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> As you know, this matter was discu= ssed by the Town Council on April 2, 2007. I had previously informed the Town = that I was unable to attend the meeting on April 2, 2007 and I was under the impression that the matter was to be placed on the agenda for the meeting on April 16, 2007. I was forward= ed minutes for the meeting of April 2, 2007 and it appears that no one explain= ed the background to this matter and that the discussion deviated from the act= ual issue that should have been limited to the requirement of insurance and an indemnification agreement in order to protect the Town.
=
O=
ver
the past several years, the Rafey's have been engaged in litigation with
neighbors over several variances that were granted by the Watertown Zoning
Board of Appeals. The litigat=
ion
was ultimately terminated in favor of the Rafey's. Subsequent to the litigation, Atty.
Pilicy rendered a legal opinion that the Rafey's have the right to pass and
repass over the driveway area which is on property owned by the Town of
= No one has appealed this decision and the zoning issues are now finalized. As a precaution and in an effort to protect the Town, I recommended that the Rafey's sign an indemnification and hold harmless agreement and provide liability insurance to protect the town= in the event of any injury on Town property.&= nbsp; I've prepared a written agreement to accomplish this objective and to impose the obligation on future owners.&nb= sp; The agreement is not intended to grant or convey any rights to the Rafey's. The agreement is int= ended solely to protect the Town from liability and to impose the same obligation= s on future owners of Lots #16 and #20.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 6
= It is my recommendation that the Town require liabi= lity insurance and have an indemnification agreement in place. There is no need for the Town Coun= cil to vote to approve the right to utilize the right of way. I can prepare the documents for the Rafey's to sign without the necessity of a signature by the Town if you so choose. Please advise as to your position.
= V= ery truly yours,
= N. Warren Hess, III
= C= c: David Minnich
= A= tty. Franklin Pilicy
= C= harles Berger"
= ; Mr. Pawlak: So that is what t= he agenda item was supposed to clearly state.= It obviously did not. = Chuck, where are we on this? Did we receive any indication from Moosa Rafey that this $1,000,000 indemnification agreement is in place?
= ; Mr. Frigon: Not yet, I was go= ing to put it on the next Town Council agenda for consideration. I will make sure Atty. Hess is her= e.
= ; Ms. Adams: He never had permi= ssion to cross Town property to begin with.
= ; Mr. Pawlak: Well apparently, according to the decision by both Atty. Pilicy and Atty. Hess, they said th= ey had the right to that. The Planni= ng and Zoning and Zoning Board of Appeals said it was okay.
= ; Ms. Adams: Right, they were claiming there was a right of way; there isn't.
= ; Mr. Pawlak: It's out of our h= ands at this point, and I'm sure that the people on Highmeadow are going to be rather upset when the bulldozers start moving.
= ; Ms. Adams: Well I think the t= hing was too that (inaudible) the Council denying it the last two times is the f= act that he had access from Route 6, but of course the Highmeadow address would= up the value of his property considerably and cost less for him to access thos= e 2 lots from Route 6.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Rinaldi: If I understood = that letter correctly, we are going to pay for this insurance?
= ; Mr. Pawlak: No.
= ; Mr. Frigon: The Rafey's will.
= ; Mr. Pawlak: From any future problems, liabilities, problems, injuries.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 7
= ; Mr. Frigon: If there were an accident to occur on that property, on that driveway, we would be indemnifi= ed.
= ; Mr. Rinaldi: Do we have to ap= prove Rafey getting the insurance policy?
= Mr. Pawlak: That was the reason f= or the item on the agenda. In fact i= t was something that as I said was poorly worded, we don't have to approve it, I think he was advised to go ahead and do it, it w= as just merely a formality on the part of . . . .
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Adams: Has CL&P appro= ved this?
= Mr. Rinaldi: It seems a bit strange that if our= vote here meant nothing as far as the matter was concerned in the first place, w= hy should we be paying for something we rejected to begin with?
= ; Mr. Pawlak: We're not paying.=
= ; Mr. Rinaldi: Why should we ap= prove anything?
= Ms. Adams: Right, I agree.
= Mr. Pawlak: We shouldn't even have to approve = it, it shouldn't even have come before us I think.
= ; Ms. Adams: But it came twice.= The fact of the matter is Moosa br= ought it back here twice, so there's something there that just isn't quite right.=
= Mr. Pawlak: As Atty. Hess stated, no appeals h= ave been made, as far as he is concerned, as far as Planning and Zoning and Z.B= .A. is concerned, it's a done deal, it's a land use issue, it's settled, maybe.=
= Mr. Kane: May we get a copy of that letter?<= /p>
= Mr. Pawlak: Sure, absolutely.
= Mr. Rinaldi: It should be in our packet.
= Ms. Adams: No, it's not.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Frigon: I'll make sure everybody gets a copy tomorrow.
= Mr. Kane: Even via email is fine.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 8
7. =
Town
Manager's Report
Zoning
Consolidation
The tran= sfer of zoning jurisdiction was in fact ratified by the Fire District on April 26th. We have met, staff and Franklin Pi= licy and we have our plan to move forward and we have all confidence that we wil= l be able to accept that responsibility come July 1st.
Mr. Kane: Does the Fire District and the Tow= n have different zoning regulations?
Mr. Frigon: Yes.
Mr. Kane: So how is that going to work?
Mr. Frigon: We've looked at the zoning, the regulations by the Fire District and we all agreed that we're going to keep= the meat of the zoning regulations and adopt those regulations into our own regulations. The Planning and Zoning Commission has agreed to review the Fire District's regulations and = to eliminate from those regulations any duplication that presently exists. Once that's done the rest of it wi= ll be adopted into our regulations as well as the zoning map into our regulations= .
Mr. Primini: How is that going to affect th=
e
Mr. Frigon: I don't suspect that it would affe= ct them at all because the regulations will be the same, the only possible aff= ect that I can see at this point that someone may or may not have to wait for a zoning compliance certificate or inspection, depending on the workload.
Mr. Primini: I know one of the issues with zoni= ng used to be that in the Fire District they were able to put signs up on the street, where the rest they couldn't. Is that still going to be affected?=
Mr. Frigon: Yes, exactly, those regulations wi= ll stay in place. Now I'm not go= ing to say that they're going to stay in place forever, I don't know that, but for= the time they will.
Ms. Adams: So the Town of
Mr. Frigon: Yes.
Mr. Pawlak: What about personnel?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 9
Mr. Frigon: What we do have, right now include= d in the budget is one additional personnel. I have yet to ask, but I certainly = will find the availability of Mr. Elder to work for us as a consultant should we need him. We don't know the <= span class=3DGramE>workload, I don't know how it's going to affect the zo= ning office. I've heard from 60 to= 100 permits a year. My understand= ing right now is there are only 2 outstanding permits, one for St. John's School and another for an addition on a home, so that's what the potential liabili= ty is that we'll be taking on. I'm = also told that hopefully by July 1st both of those will be, have received certificates.
Ms. Adams: Chuck, can you check how many zoni= ng compliance permits that we do now, with the other 2/3 of the Town, cause th= at may be a good indicator that, let's say we do maybe 200 and the Fire Distri= ct does 100, we may need another person just for zoning compliance.
Mr. Frigon: We very well may. What we do have working with us is= that the Fire District is essentially built out for all practical purposes. Not to say that it's any easier, b= ut the zoning permits pulled are going to be for your decks, pools, any additions. From what I unders= tood from our meeting, there are only 8 building lots left within the Fire District.<= /p>
Ms. Adams: That's obviously not even the bulk= of their work, it's all the other things.
Mr. Frigon: It's the decks, the pools, etc.
Mr. Mancini: Chuck, the additional person at Pl= anning and Zoning is a secretary, right?
Mr. Frigon: That's correct.
Ms. Adams: Maybe it's just something we want = to be sure about that we aren't going to need another zoning compliance officer or assistant before we get into budget which is tomorrow.
Mr. Primini: Is there any (inaudible) how this = will affect other departments such as building inspector, or anything like that?=
Mr. Frigon: No I expect the impact to be minim= al. I do expect an additional workload = on P & Z, I just don't know what that workload is= , honestly.
Mr. Pawlak: I would suspect the person who= would probably have the greatest knowledge and information on that is sitting in = the audience. David, obviously yo= u've heard the questions regarding the additional workload. There will be some, we don't have = any idea other than what Chuck said, maybe 60 to 100, can you shed any light on that?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 10
David Minnich, Chairman, Watertown=
Fire
District
Mr. Minnich: We looked at the last 5 years and w=
e ranged
between the mid 80's to the mid 90's in terms of zoning permits. Those are primarily for, as the To=
wn
Manager was stating, for deck, pools, fences, that sort of thing. Before us right now is an addition=
, a
360 square foot addition to
Ms. Adams: Do you have any idea how many, aver=
age a
year, zoning compliance certificates does the Town of
Mr. Minnich: That I don't have an update on. One of the pieces of information I= did want to also say, the other impact of this is obviously on the Zoning Board= of Appeals and we had last year I believe 5 appeals, the year before we had 2 = that go to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Essentially it's a community that's built out and so there is not any large workload, but there is the workload obviously for the decks and pools= and for whatever zoning compliance is necessary.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 11
Mr. Walton: So what you're saying is that the transition is going to be more work than the actual zoning throughout the y= ear?
Mr. Minnich: I'm not saying that, no.
Mr. Walton: It sounds like it's a pretty small= task though, it's not that complex.
Mr. Minnich: Well it is work and so it does nee= d to get addressed, so the workload in terms of what the staff is currently doing now with this additional workload is something that we'll need to be review= ing and certainly getting back to the Town (inaudible) to y= ourselves if we need or think we need additional staff.
Mr. Walton: Well you have a unique position, y= ou're with both.
Mr. Minnich: Yes.
Mr. Walton: So you know what you have in regul= ar zoning, and it's nothing like what's in the Fire District, I take it?
Mr. Minnich: Well the issue, in terms of the Pl= anning and Zoning there is no impact in that all of the time any subdivision, Plan= ning and Zoning always did the Fire District on the planning function. Under the zoning portion there rea= lly was nothing that the Planning and Zoning did except for perhaps lot line revisions, the Zoning is essentially handled by the Zoning Enforcement Offi= cer and when there's an appeal it goes to Z.B.A., so there is very little that = the Planning and Zoning Commission handles with this, it's more staff issues th= an anything.
Mr. Primini: The current work crew, how are they= going to be handled, the Water & Sewer guys?
Mr. Pawlak: There's no change there.
Mr. Minnich: There's no change, it's just under= zoning.
Mr. Pawlak: That's not a factor.
Mr. Primini: So there will be that Fire Distric= t in place?
Mr. Minnich: Yes, the only, when we used to up u= ntil the time that our Superintendent left in January, we had, he performed as p= art of his duties, the zoning enforcement functions. We (inaudible) when we reorganized= the administration, we didn't put that under the auspices of the Superintendent anymore, instead we took that function and we hired a consultant to help us with that and he's paid on an hourly basis, so that's the only person that = we have other than the clerical staff just answering questions and directing t= o them but they can't do any compliance or signing any permits.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 12
Mr. Rinaldi: I know you're wearing two hats, so = maybe you can answer this, we discussed this a little earlier, I'm not quite sure= I heard the answer go by, I know there's been a point of contention for a long time with the businesses up in Watertown versus the businesses in Oakville = with signage, flags, etc., but if we're going to combine the zoning regulations, would this allow the businesses in Oakville to perhaps use some signage or = some flags? I know the logic was f= or a long time that the flags were a distraction for drivers, but I would like to see someone who plows into a car that it was because of a flag hanging off = of a building. If we could have so= me sort of a level playing field, cause I know the businesses down there feel slighted.
Mr. Minnich: Well I know that the signage perhap= s is the issue as I see here with regards to perhaps what we need to spend some = time on working together and rethinking. I don't, however, think that that is going to get accomplished by July 1st.&nbs= p; That's my own opinion.
Mr. Rinaldi: Oh no, just somewhere down the roa= d.
Mr. Minnich: I kind of envision that we'll prob= ably be needing each of those signage regulations (in= audible).
Mr. Rinaldi: It will be considered, that's all = I want to know.
Mr. Minnich: Oh definitely, most definitely, we= 'll do that, for sure.
Plan = of Development
I put a = report within my report stating that the Plan of Development needs to come before = the Town Council within 45 days of the Public Hearing by Planning and Zoning an= d it is within your responsibility that you can request of Planning and Zoning t= hat they delay sending it to Town Council to fit your timeline, so if you're not ready to act on that within 45 days, if you want to wait until after the Summer, that would be a Council decision.
Mr. Pawlak: I like the idea of delaying it unt= il after the Summer and take that up next Council meeting.
Mr. Frigon: I'll put that on the Agenda for th= e next Town Council meeting.
Ms. Adams: No, it's never a good idea to have something this large over the Summer.
Fire
Department Addition/Renovations
The buil= ding is expected to be completed by the end of May. The punch list is now being worked= on and the facility is looking pretty good.&n= bsp; I have also put on there that it's the intention right now of the Fi= re Department to look at some of the equipment they took out when they added on the additional roof and other, I don't know the other aspects of the buildi= ng, I don't know exactly what that means yet, it might mean $10,000, it might m= ean something different, but just to let you know that there might be a list co= ming down.
Mr. Pawlak: I take it it will be ready for Mem= orial Day?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 13
Mr. Frigon: Yes. The dedication is expected some ti=
me
late June. (Tape #1, Side
Realt=
or
Services
This rea= ltor will be used to sell any property that we have any buildings on. This will not include any vacant parcels.
Swift= Turf Field
The fiel= d is expected to be bid on May 23rd with an opening of June 6th. I haven't seen the specifications = yet but I don't believe there should be any surprise and it should include exac= tly what we had originally discussed.
Mr. Pawlak: Back about 3 or 4 meetings ago we t= alked about, we passed the updated car use policy. There were several suggestions with respect to changes that I requested put in and the Council agreed. I haven't seen that policy publish= ed, is it published?
Mr. Frigon: Yes, it is.
Mr. Pawlak: Would you put that in the next pack= et?
Mr. Frigon: Sure.
Steep=
This is = still in front of the Department of Public Health.&= nbsp; They have reviewed it with no concern at this point and they're expe= cted by mid May to process our grant agreement with the D.E.P.
Mr. Pawlak: That is S T E A P, right?
Mr. Frigon: Yes, it is. That's misspelled.
Wattl=
es Brook
Interceptor
We have = reduced the impact on wetlands to less than 5,000 square feet which will allow us n= ow to go before and only before our local Inland/Wetland Commission which is expected to be on their May 10th agenda, so that project is moving forward.=
Public
Works/Highway
The side= walk sweeping is complete, street sweeping is underway. The Fire Department rear entrance = sidewalk is complete. Curb cleanup ins= tead of doing it, typically as we do in August, they're concentrating on that earli= er in the season. We're hoping to finish most of the curbing work in the next few weeks, which will allow peo= ple to seed and grow some grass for the Summer. The water damage caused by the sto= rm is nearly complete, if not complete as of today. The projects that the Highway work= s on with the Public Buildings, our Maintenance Department, there have been many this year, we've worked on cabinetry at the Senior Center and we've rehabbed the dog pound, including a new roof and some painting and siding on the gab= le ends and soffits.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 14
Route=
6 Pump
Station & Sewer Project
The bids= came in considerably over budget and Frank Jodaitis is reviewing those and is expec= ted to re-bid the project by the end of May.
Mr. Pawlak: Can you just expand a little bit on= that conversation we had with respect to what we were expecting and what we got?=
Mr. Frigon: Yea, we were expecting a number les=
s than
$200,000 and the bids came in around $500,000. We don't know exactly why, but in
looking at the unit prices that we asked for, this is the one over on the
corner of
Ms. Adams: It just seems that with Water = & Sewer, every time we try to do something, we go to a Town Meeting, we go to referendum, the same thing with the schools, we're obviously not doing the right things to get the right estimates before we p= ut these projects out. I think w= e need to figure out somehow, someway, maybe a different type of scale, maybe we h= ave to look at the price of steel, brick, masonry, or whatever it is before we = put these out, cause now we have to go back now, unl= ess they can cut the project back to . . . .
Mr. Pawlak: Do you recall my conversation when= we were talking about the school bonding issue, I questioned how we could do an $84,000,000 project when we didn't have all the drawings and specifications= and won't have them until 2008 and we've got $84,000,000.
Mr. Primini: Take the price and double it.<= /p>
Ms. Adams: Joe,
Mr. Pawlak: Yea, we= nt from $27,000,000 to $33,000,000.
Mr. Frigon: Same with the Fire Department.
Ms. Adams: The Fire Department cut back t= he scope of their project.
Mr. Pawlak: To hold it down to $6,000,000.
Mr. Rinaldi: If you remember when this project = went by, it caused a lot of discussion, this was a real tough project, and one of the major concerns that I had, I voted against it as well, is that you don't want to use pumps on any project, period.&= nbsp; You want gravity fed sewers and this could have been a gravity fed s= ewer but there was questioning about engineering, and now we're paying the price= for pumps. And this is nothing, c= ause when this thing breaks, and needs servicing, it's going to cost a ton more money, so keep that in the back of your mind.
Ms. Adams: I remember them saying too, I'= m not exactly sure whether it was Frank Jodaitis or not, that we needed to, the c= ost of the gravity fed system was going to be exorbitant, this was the less expens= ive way to go. Maybe we need to t= ake a look at the gravity fed system.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 15
Mr. Rinaldi: Yea, in the short run it might have= cost us a little more; in the long run it would have saved us a ton of money.
Ms. Adams: I mean this is way out whack.
Mr. Frigon: Yea, it is.
FEMA<= o:p>
Relating=
to the
April storm, the Governor has formally requested a declaration of major
disaster. We are expecting th=
at
that will be signed and some of the flooding that occurred was on
Ms. Adams: Just a note with
Water=
Tank
Rehabilitation
That wor= k is going on and I've included a letter to the State Department of Public Health outlining all of the work that we've done so far.
On-going.
Dispo=
sal of
Town Owned Property
Status
unchanged, with the exception of
Mr. Primini: Is that going to go with or without improvements?
Mr. Frigon: Without improvements, without = any connections to water, sewer or any other real improvements, as is.
Reported earlier, new roof, painting and siding within our $2= ,500 budget, materials only. All the work was done in-house.
On-going.
Credi= t / Debit Card Services
All inst= alled and operational and everyone has been trained and working well.
Mr. Pawlak: Where are they used?
Mr. Frigon: Golf Course, Zoning Office, Park &= amp; Rec, and Town Clerk. Not the = Tax Collector, because of the fees associated.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 16
Mr. Mancini: I was told Saturday that the one at= the golf course wasn't working on Thursday or Friday.
Mr. Frigon: I can check, I haven't heard that, no one has made any complaints.
Mr. Nardelli: I saw some charges come throug= h, $1,900.
Statu=
s of
Deputy G= avallas reported that a plan will be given to us for Police Commission consideration and hopefully that plan will be available for the May 9th meeting.
Status Unchanged.
House=
hold
Hazardous Waste Collection
Went well, very well received, very busy.
Commu=
nications
Consulting Review
We have a meeting scheduled for May 22nd to review the draft design by Peter Oliver Associates.
Water
Delivery and Storage Infrastructure
Status o= n-going and we expect that study to be done by late October/early November.
2007 =
Earth
Day Celebration
Collaborative effort between Park & Rec and Public Works.= Again being we= ll received.
8.&nb=
sp; Subcommittee
Reports
&= nbsp; A. Public Works Subcommittee
= Mr. Rinaldi: No report.
&= nbsp; B. = Business Development Subcommittee
= ; Mr. Guerrera: Absent; therefo= re no report.
&= nbsp; C. Finance Subcommittee
=
; Mr.
Mancini: The Public Heari=
ng is
scheduled for tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at
&= nbsp; D. Ordinance Subcommittee
= ; Ms. Plowman: We'll have a mee= ting before the next Council meeting to discuss the declaration of national disa= ster ordinance and review the ethics ordinance.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 17
E. =
= ; Mr. Pawlak: We have a meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
9.&nb=
sp; New
Business
&=
nbsp; A. Consider
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 1. =
Consider
the nomination of Sue Church,
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; MOTION: (Mr.
Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to nominate Sue Church,
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 2. =
Consider
the nomination of Carl Mancini,
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; MOTION: (Mr.
Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to nominate Carl Mancini,
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Discussion: Ms. Adams: The same comments I had when Carl w= as put on as an Alternate. Carl, I h= ave no problem with you serving, but I think you run into conflicts when you're on Planning and Zoning voting for something.&= nbsp; There are times when we have both the Council, either needs to overr= ide a zoning issue, 8-24 approval, I just think there's a conflict there, that = it's got to be one or the other, Zoning or Council, that's my opinion, and I don= 't think it's the right place for him, so I'll vote no.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; Mr. Kane: Well you know my opinion on the
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; Mr. Mancini: It wasn't announced by me or Joe
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: Not a done deal until we vote on it= .
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 18
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Mr. Kane: It was in the paper today, I don't = know.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: My only comment is that if we look = at the Charter it expressly allows a Council member to serve on another board of commission, and there is no exception, no restriction with respect to which board or commission. So the C= harter says it can be done, it can be done, as long as Carl feels he can expend the time required, and it will require one heck of a lot of time between Planni= ng and Zoning and the Town Council, and he is retired so he has all that extra time, those of you who are working (inaudible) social security for him.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Mr. Kane: Was there not another alternate that could have filled that role?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: I don't know, I wasn't at the Democratic Town Committee Meeting wh= en that was done.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Mr. Mancini, Mr. Pawlak, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Walton
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Opposed: = Ms. Adams, Mr. Kane
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Abstained: Mr. Primini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; MOTION CARRIED (5-2-1)
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 3. =
Consider
the nomination of Duane George,
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; MOTION: (Mr. =
Mancini,
sec. Mr. Walton) to nominate Duane George,
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Discussion: = ; Ms. Adams: I've had this same= discussion, I do not believe we should be putting local developers onto a land use board.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Mr. Kane, Mr. Mancini, Mr. Pawlak, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Walton
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Opposed: = Ms. Adams
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Abstained: None
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; MOTION CARRIED (7-1-0)
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 19
&= nbsp; B. = Consider an Appropriation in the amount of $9,500 from the General Fund for the Prep= aration and Distribution of Explanatory Text for the Three-School Referendum ($3,900 for printing and $5,600 for postage)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Authorize an Appropriation in the amount of $9,500 from the General Fund for the prepara= tion and distribution of explanatory text for the three-school referendum.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Ms. Adams: I didn't get a copy of that in the=
packet, all I got was the letter that
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: I have a copy.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: No, there's no co= py.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: That's all I had.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: Apparently we sen= t the letter to the Attorney General, and they came back with some recommendation= s, we made changes, sent it back to them, and they took some more exceptions, = so we're in the process of getting the final form.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: I'm sorry, Elaine, I misunderstood,= you didn't get the explanatory text in your packet.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: I didn't get anything, all I got was these two 1 paragraph letters.=
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; =
; Mr.
Frigon: That's all I have=
in my
office, is a request by the School Superintenden=
t for
the funding and that
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: So the State's Attorney General has problems with it?
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; =
; Mr.
Frigon: He had some revis=
ions
he's suggesting, we will incorporate them, send it back to
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: So we're voting on= something that isn't complete and we haven't seen?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: No, just the expense to print.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 20
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: We're voting on t= he expense to mail it and because of the timing of this, we know that the expe= nse is going to be about $3,900 and the expense for mailing is going to be $5,600. That money will then = be in place once both the State's Attorney General and our Town Attorney and the = Board of Education is comfortable with the content, an= d our Town Clerk as well.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: When are we plan= ning on mailing this out by?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: It has to be out 2 weeks before.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: Which is what?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: June 5th.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Primini: The postage goes up May 14th.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: We're trying our = best, but the Board of Education is working on getting this out very soon.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Kane: What's the reason f= or the creation of this to begin with?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Apparently it's required when there= is going to be, I don't know if it's any impact or a significant impact on the mill rate, the taxes on the people, so we have to send out a notification letter explaining what will happen if it's passed, and obviously if it's not passed nothing happens.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Kane: We've never done th= is in the past.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: I believe we have= .
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Kane: We've taken out ads in the Town Tim= es.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Rinaldi: When you were Ch= air we sent out an explanation on the budget.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; =
; Mr.
Kane: No, that was on
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Rinaldi: It's been done in the past on sever= al occasions. We don't take any = sides, just explain the numbers.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; =
; Mr.
Pawlak: According to Fran=
k we
did it for
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: What issues does t= he State's Attorney General have with this? Is it with the wording, the text, a= re we leaving something out, are we putting something in, what's the conversation going on?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 21
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Frigon: The conversation is between the Sup=
erintendent
and our Town Attorney and the State.
I'm not involved at all.
From what I understand it's very minor.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Kane: Why is it coming ou= t of the General Fund?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: Because we're fun= ding the election, it's the referendum, not the Board of Education. The Board of Education is not doin= g the bond issue, the Town is, so we pay for it whethe= r it's a bond issue or a referendum for a budget or an election in general, we pay= for it.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Walton: We own the building.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: We have no use for= (inaudible).
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Walton: We don't own after education takes place, it's ours.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: This is just to get all the funding= in place. Once we get the go fro= m the A.G., Board of Education, Pilicy, Town Clerk, then we get it printed and we send it out.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: And we don't know = what the issues are, we're not informed of the issues?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: That's right.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Primini: So should the motion be amended to = be contingent on approval of the recommendations from the Attorney General's Office?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: We can't send it = out without that approval.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Kane: Can we hear the mot= ion again?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Mancini: I make a motion to authorize the ap= propriation of $9,500 from the General Fund for the preparation and distribution of explanatory text for the three school referendum.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: That's it, and it= 's got to be approved before we send it out anyway, it's just a mechanism to make = sure everything is in place and ready to go as soon as we get the go ahead.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: It can't be anythi= ng that is a yes or a no, encouraging a yes or a no, it's got to be pretty cut= and dry.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: It's got to be completely arbitrary= and unbiased.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 22
&=
nbsp; C. Consider
Authorizing the Readvertisement of the
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr.
Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to re-advertise the sale of Town owned property
located at
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Kane: At the budget meetings we talked a=
bout
this and the sale of
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: Yes, if it doesn't sell, if the mon= ey doesn't come in, you have 60 days after the end of the fiscal year to pick = up the accrual on a revenue, but if that does not h= appen within that timeframe, yes, it comes out of the General Fund.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Kane: So the closing has = to take place before June 30th, correct, not necessarily the funds?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: Yes, the closing, right.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; =
; Mr.
Primini: So what was the =
value
of the land listed on
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Mancini: $235,000, $117,500 each per lot.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: Is that market v= alue or assessed value?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Market value.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: And we had one b= id on it, what was that?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: $181,500.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Primini: So this could actually even (inaudi= ble) somebody could put in even a lower bid?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: It's possible, bu= t from what I've heard, and I can't swear to it, I've heard that there were people interested in it but didn't want to bid because of the $250,000 minimum, so there could have been other people who were willing to bid, but shied away because of that minimum requirement.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: So now we're goi= ng to wholesale the property.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 23
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Well who pays retail?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: A lot of people do on property in= this Town.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Mancini: Ray, I had 2 ind= ividuals contact me and said that they would have, they heard that the $250,000 wasn= 't met, and they didn't think it was worth $250,000, but it was worth say at l= east $200,000, but they didn't bid on it cause it was a minimum bid of $250,000,= but they would bid at least $200,000 for it, if not more.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Kane: Is that why we're putting this back= out to bid, cause of conversations you're having with people who want to buy it= ?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Mancini: No, I mentioned = it after I was told about that, I heard someone else said that.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: We're putting it = back out because the wording of the motion which said a $250,000, we obviously didn't meet that so we want to remove the minimum and see what happens.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Kane: We don't have this item in our pack= et, do we?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Frigon: No, there was the= one bid that was bid.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Rinaldi: We didn't get anything in there.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: No.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Ms. Adams: I'm going to go ba= ck to what I said the last time, I don't think we shou= ld be selling this land to begin with.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Well that's not the issue here.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Kane: Could I hear the mo= tion again please?
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; =
; Ms.
Mancini: I make a motion =
to re-advertise
the sale of town owned property located at
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Primini: I think we shoul= d put some kind of minimum bid on there, that's crazy.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Mancini: It doesn't mean we have to accept i= t, Ray.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; = ; Mr. Walton: No, in that we'll= say that we can reject any and all bids.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 24
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; In Favor: &= nbsp; Mr. Mancini, Mr. Pawlak, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Walton
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Opposed: = Ms. Adams, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Abstained: None
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (5-3-0)
&=
nbsp; D. Consider
a Resolution Authorizing a Bid Waiver to Utilize State of
R= ESOLUTION
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, Town Council approval is required for waiving the bid process and awarding a contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder; and
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, Town Council authorization is required for any purchase exceeding $4,000 th= at has not been independently bid by the Town's Purchasing Agent; and
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, various equipment, materials and supplies required to be furnished to the T= own of Watertown have been formally bid by the State of Connecticut and are available to all State political subdivisions; and
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; WHEREAS,
the Town of
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Watertown Town Council hereby authorizes= the Purchasing Agent of the Town of Watertown to utilize State of Connecticut b= id for the purchase of various equipment, materials and supplies in cooperation with the State of Connecticut and in accordance with those requirements established by Town Departments, and
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall remain = in effect for Fiscal Year 2007/2008.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Dated at
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Joseph Pawlak, Chairman
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr.
Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to approve a Resolution Authorizing a Bid Waiver =
to
utilize State of
&= nbsp; &= nbsp; Discussion: = ; None
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 25
&=
nbsp; E. =
Consider
Authorizing the Town Manager to enter into and execute on behalf of the Tow=
n of
<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr.
Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Authorize the Town
Manager to enter into and execute on behalf of the Town of
<= o:p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Ms. Adams: Do they have restrooms down there?<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: No, this is the metering pit for the disposal of our sewage.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&=
nbsp; F. =
Consider
Authorizing a request to the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider C.G=
.S. Section
8-24 for the Installation of a
<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr.
Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Authorize a request=
to
the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider C.G.S. Section 8-24 for the
Installation of a
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: None<= /p>
<= o:p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&=
nbsp; G. Consider
a Request to
=
M=
OTION: (Mr.
Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Approve the sale of=
Town
owned property located at
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Mancini: This is a piece of property that we voted on probably 6 months ago not to sell it.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: It's attached right here, October 1= 6, 2006. It was unanimous.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 26
<= o:p>
<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: Actually what they wanted us to do =
was to
deed it to them and I was opposed to deeding it away, but I still object to
this, even though there is a caveat in here saying that Ms. Boyle is willin=
g to
make her purchase of a town owned parcel specifically conditioned on inclus=
ion
in the deed of a restriction providing that this purchased parcel can never=
be
used as access for purposes of creating any additional building lots. My concern is that the sentence
immediately preceding that in the paragraph is "she desires to purchase
this Town owned parcel for the sole purpose of gaining a shorter access to =
her
property and of obtaining water and sewer service from
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: And we would allow water and sewer = to go on our property, the Town owned property.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: I'm a little bit leery and I don't = really like it and I . . . .
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Rinaldi: Apparently there are still some que= stions on this, I have a couple myself.
<= o:p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Kane) to Table this until the next meeting and perhaps we= can get some more light shed on this before we make a decision.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; ORIGINAL MOTION WAS NEVER VOTED ON (TABLED)=
<= o:p>
&=
nbsp; H. Consider
an Appropriation in the amount of $3,950 from the General Fund for the Purc=
hase
of an Air Pressure and Scrubber System for the Town Hall
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Approve an Appropri= ation in the amount of $3,950 from the General Fund for the purchase of an air pressure and scrubber system for the Town Hall.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: I'd like to know what the system wi= ll do, in very general terms, cause it says it's going = to put in a properly sized fan system to induce a negative air flow in both the th= ird floor and the basement. Are t= hey going to be independent or are they going to be tied together through some = duct work?
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: They will be independent. Both the basement and the third fl= oor will be independent.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 27
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: And then the first floor scrubber, = the 2.5 ton unit, that is going to, there's no probl= em with noise?
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: I'm told that the noise is minimal.=
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Minimal to you might be one thing, minimal to me is something else.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: Well they have air conditioners in = the windows now, I don't think it makes much of a di= fference. It's noisy up there anyway.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; I. &= nbsp; Consider an Appropriation from the General Fund in the amount of $1,723 for State Ma= ndated Communications Training for Telecommunicators. Funds have been reimbursed by the = Office of the State Comptroller
<= o:p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Authorize an Appropriation from the General Fund in the amount of $1,723 for State manda= ted communications training for telecommunicators. Funds have been reimbursed by the = Office of the State Comptroller.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: Chuck, were these training sessions either on site or some place but took place, 5 locations?
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: I believe they were all off site.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; J. &= nbsp; Consider an Appropriation from the General Fund in the amount of $8,070 for the purc= hase of upgrading of the digital recording system for the Police Department as w= ell as a generator for the Special Operations Vehicle. Funds to be reimbursed by a grant = from the Homeland Security 2007 Grant
<= o:p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to approve an Appropriation from the General Fund= in the amount of $8,070 for the purpose of upgrading of the digital recording system for the Police Department as well as a generator for the Special Ope= rations Vehicle. = Funds to be reimbursed by a grant from the Council of Governments.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Mancini: Do we need special permission from = the Council of Governments to buy the generator?
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: Yes, we do, but that was received t= oday.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: So we received permission from C.O.= G. for the generator?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 28
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: Yes.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: For the generator and the digital (= Tape #1, Side B ended - may have missed some).
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Rinaldi: And there will be people in the truck? Ca= rbon monoxide?
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: I understand. It's exhausted outside.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: So this is going to be permanently mounted in the truck?
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: That's correct.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; K. Consider a Bid Waiver for the Purchase of a Digital Recording System for the Police Department to be Purchased from Sterling Security Systems for an amount not= to exceed $4,950
<= o:p>
R= ESOLUTION
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, Town Council approval is required for waiving the bid process and awarding a contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder; and
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, Town Council authorization is required for any purchase exceeding $4,000 th= at has not been independently bid by the Town's Purchasing Agent; and
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, the Police Department has been awarded a grant from = the Council of Governments, Central Naugatuck Valley Region, to upgrade the recording time on their digital recorder system in the Communications Divis= ion.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Watertown Town Council hereby authorizes= a Bid Waiver in the amount of $4,950 to purchase the digital recording system from Sterling Security Systems, who is the vendor that has installed and continues to maintain the existing system.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Dated at
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Joseph Pawlak, Chairman
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 29
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to authorize a Bid Waiver for the Purchase of a Digital Recording System for the Police Department to be purchased from Sterling Security Systems for an amount not to exceed $4,950.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: None<= /p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; L. = Consider a Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds between Line Items
<= o:p>
R= ESOLUTION
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, expenses in the 2006/2007 Fiscal Year require the Transfer of Funds;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by vote of the Watertown Town Council, that the following actions are taken relative to the Transfer of Funds:
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; WATER AND SEWER - WATER OPERATIONS
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: $10,900 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 1
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 017-50324-075-0000 - Utilities - Water
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 017-50323-075-= 0000 - Utilities - Electric
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: Increased power costs as well as increased pumping required to flush storage tanks and pumping schedule charges to deal with the THM's and HAA5 problems.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; WATER AND SEWER - WATER OPERATIONS
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: $3,000 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 2
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 017-50110-075-1702 - Assistant Superintendent
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 017-50327-075-= 0000 - Postage
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: Cover cost of Water MCL violation notices.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; WATER AND SEWER - WATER OPERATIONS
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: $3,000 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 3
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 017-50110-075-1702 - Assistant Superintendent
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 017-50336-075-= 0000 - Advertising
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: Unexpected cost to Water MCL Violation Notices.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: $10,000 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 4
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50242-042-0000 - Unemployment Compensation
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50240-042-= 0000 - Workers Compensation
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: Claims settlement payments.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 30
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - POLICE DEPARTMENT
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: $1,212 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 5
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $ 530 010-50332-019-0000 - Mainten= ance Agreements
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $ 332 010-50570-020-0000 - Communi= cations Equipment
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $ 350 010-50470-020-0000 - Photographic Supplies
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50321-021-= 0000 - Other Equipment Maintenance
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: To pay for Radar Repairs
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - TOWN MANAGER
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: $2,200 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 6
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $1,000 010-5= 0120-002-0043 - Minutes Secretary
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $1,000 010-5= 0339-002-0000 - Memberships
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $ 200 010-50330-002-0000 - Printing and Binding
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50240-042-= 0000 - Workers Compensation
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: Purchase chairs for Town Manager's conference table
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Dated at
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Joseph Pawlak, Chairman
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Mancini, sec. Mr. Walton) to Authorize the Trans= fer of Funds between Line Items as presented.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Primini: Under General Fund, Employee Benefi= ts, Unemployment Compensation, Worker's Compensation?
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: I have the same questions, who and = what?
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: Well you can't really know the who, you can know the what.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: We have a lot of worker's comp clai= ms, the Town and the Board of Ed, we both share the same fund, we budget "x" amount of dollars every year and transfer it into the Worker'= s Comp Fund. I don't believe I can g= et into names, but I can get into departments, the Police Department and the Highway Department where we've had some large claims that we're paying out, more than what was budgeted. = This $10,000 will basically get me up to where we are now, and we anticipate the= re will be more between now and the end of the fiscal year, meaning more transfers.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: What do we have in the budget for t= his item, do you know?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 31
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: It was around $200,000 and it cover= s the second injury fund, services to Webster who oversees the claims. You'll see in this year's budget we increased that substantially because of the claims.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: It looks like, permanency and things here, or is it just a matter of paying medical, or are we looking to permanency?
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> &= nbsp; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Mr. Nardelli: It's permanency, medical, that's ri= ght.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: Permanency is say somebody hurts th= eir knee, has surgery, and what happens is they have a loss of use of maybe 10%, 12% than before the injury. T= here is a value attached to that based on tables the Workers' Comp Commission has and they get a cash payout whatever the weeks would be.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Primini: So how are our projections looking = from now until the end of the fiscal year?
<= o:p>
<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: We are going to need more money.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Ms. Adams: And you really don't know just when= at what point somebody is going to reach maximum medical improvement. It may be, the textbook says it may be 10 months, but it may be 2 years or 2 months, you d= on't know, it's not a concrete item.
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Frigon: We're hoping to close more than hal= f of them before the end of the fiscal year, but again, you really just don't kn= ow.
<= o:p>
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Primini: Are these potentially long term th= at could carry substantially through next year?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Frigon: Yes.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; = ; Mr. Nardelli: That's why we increased next year's number.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Kane: The esteemed Town Manager, $2,200 = worth of chairs for the conference table?
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 32
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Mr. Frigon: The wooden chairs= that came with the office were to say the least rickety, but I made a decision to take them out of the office when an official from the D.O.T. stuck to the c= hair after a meeting, he got up and it was just . . . . I decided at that point we're going to replace the chairs, which I did. I took them from the conference ro= om, the chairs are continually back and forth to the conference room all the ti= me, and I just thought maybe we should replace the chairs.
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Ms. Adams: Well they're only = 50 years old, Chuck, I mean we get 60 years out of = things here.
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Mr. Frigon: Actually, when we= sent them out to be refurbished about 10 years ago that did something to the cha= irs that made them kind of rickety (inaudible).
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Primini: I do ergonomics in my job, and you= can get those chairs rated for a higher weight limit too. We tend to hold onto things for qu= ite awhile around here.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; = ; Mr. Pawlak: We're looking at = a Town Hall with a 50 year life.
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Mr. Walton: What are you goin= g to do with the old chairs? Anyth= ing that has reached 50 years old has reached antique status.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. LaForme: Do you have to say anything about = that last one?
&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Mr. Nardelli: She was just questioning there was no name for the $2,200, no name for the account that = it's being transferred into.
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Mr. Pawlak: Thanks,
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
10.&n=
bsp; Old
Business
&=
nbsp; A. Discussion
and Possible Action concerning a Proposal for the Town of Watertown and the
Watertown Fire District to consolidate pursuant to Connecticut General Stat=
utes
Sections 7-195 through 7-199, (Tabled 3/5/07)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: It looks like at least one little = piece of that puzzle will be effected as of July 1st. We still continue to hope, some of= us do anyway, we'll see. We're movi= ng in the right direction.
Regular Meeting
May 7, 2007
Page 33
&= nbsp; B. = Consider Reclassification of Non-Organized Compensation from Deferred to inclusive in Wage Rates (Tabled 1/16/07)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: I touched on that earlier. I still am looking for comments and ideas, opinions.
&= nbsp; C. Consider Request from Heritage Development Group to Reverse the Flow of Traffic at D= avis Street Extension and that the Town of Watertown seek State of Connecticut Department of Transportation approvals and be responsible for permits and l= and acquisitions as needed for both Davis Street Extension Directional Change a= nd the Bunker Hill Road Sidewalks in connection with the Heritage Woods Project (Tabled 4/19/07)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Remains tabled.
11.&n=
bsp; Public
Participation
Mr. Rinaldi: Can we possibly, we only have one
meeting in July and August, can we have them at
Mr. Frigon: We're still hoping for the air conditioning to be installed in this facility.
= ; Mr. Rinaldi: By July?
= ; Mr. Pawlak: Are you telling m= e that the air conditioning in here is still not installed?
= ; Mr. Frigon: It's still not installed.
= ; Mr. Pawlak: I know we didn't = cut it from the budget.
Ms. Adams: Maybe even June's meeting as well.=
Mr. Frigon: I have checked with Dr. Erardi and= there is a volunteer organization that is doing the work. They apologized= , we'll get back to you on that.
Mr. Pawlak, Chairman,, Closed Public Participation a= t 8:46 p.m.
12. Adjournment
= ; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Ms. Plowman) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:47 p.m.
<=
/span>Discussion: None<=
/p>
<=
/span>MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Regular Meeting May 7, 2007 Page 34 <=
/span>Regular
Meeting Adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Respectfully
submitted, Joseph
Pawlak, Chairman Approved: _______________________________ Lynn M. LaF=
orme,
Clerk