MINUTES
REGU=
LAR
MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2006, 7:30 P.M.
MEETING LOCATION WAS CHANGED
FROM: TECHNOLOGY ROOM
TO:
LIBRARY
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
&= 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: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; None
OTHERS PRESENT: Larry Black, Fire Marshall
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; David Bromley, Police Department
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Erardi, Superintendent of Schools
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Thomas Hansen, Tata & Howard
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Frank Jodaitis, Water & Sewer Superintendent
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Frank
Nardelli,
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Franklin Pilicy, Town Attorney
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Summa, Town Attorney
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Sean Williams, State Representative
1.&nb= sp; Call Meeting To Order
Mr. = Pawlak, Chairman, Called the Meeting to Order at 7:36 p.m.
2.&nb= sp; Roll Call
Ms. LaForme, Board Clerk, executed the Roll Call.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 2
&= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
&= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, called a Recess at 7:37 p.m. (in order to complete the Special Town Meeting already in session).
&= nbsp; Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, Reconvened the Regular Meeting at 8:12 p.m.
4.&nb=
sp; Public
Participation
= ; Mr. Pawlak: I'm going to ask = Mr. Fred Lenhart to step up to the podium.&nbs= p; Fred is a Boy Scout who is pursuing a Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge, and part of that requirement is to attend a Town Council meeting and he asked for a copy of the budget, and hopefully he can understand it.
Gary Stewart,
Mr. Stewart: My wife is Virginia Stewart, the e=
lected
Tow Clerk in the Town of
In this morning's paper it was reported that the Town Council would be conside= ring the implementation of an engineering study to determine the actual structur= al conditions of the Town Hall. While this = kind of investigation is clearly necessary in order to properly determine a cour= se of action with respect to repairs and preservation, it strikes me as putting the cart before the horse. Wh= at is more important here in Watertown, protecting the employees who work at the = Town Hall and the public who does business there from serious health and safety issues, which the Town has been aware of for many years, or is it more important to continue the charade of attempting to appear as if the Council cares about the employees and the public who are at risk in the Town Hall?<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Yes, I am characterizing this Coun= cil's actions and direction with respect to the Town Hall as a charade. To consider spending tax dollars on structural studies while Town Hall employees remain working in this sick building is irresponsible and defies logic. The Town Council is aware that the= Town Clerk was forced to take medical leave due to serious symptoms and illnesses caused by mold produced and contained within the entire building. She has been diagnosed with Adult = Onset Asthma and Mold Related Allergies, caused by the conditions in the Town Hall. I have been witness to many sympto= ms and conditions which she has suffered as a result of the mold conditions and chronic water incursion which the Town has known existed for many years.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 3
Following
the CONN OSHA investigation back in February of this year, stained ceiling
tiles were replaced, old wet carpets were removed from the basement, and the
basement was cleaned up substantially.&nbs=
p;
To my knowledge, that is the extent of the actions which were undert=
aken
to address the issue of mold. Today
one can see newly stained ceiling tiles in the rear area of the main level =
and
mold continues to prosper in the Town Hall. Unfortunately for the employees of=
this
Town and the State, CONN OSHA serves as a protector of the State and the
municipalities. CONN OSHA has
indicated that it operates under the same regulations as Federal OSHA and t=
his
might be so, but CONN OSHA certainly does not enforce its regulations with =
the
same level of tenacity as Federal OSHA does. I submit that if the subject prope=
rty or
work environment was owned by a private company or person it would have long
since been vacated. In my opi=
nion
CONN OSHA is just that, a con. Furthermore
the Town of
In
late June or early July of this year, the Town was contacted by Yale
Occupational and Environmental Medicine to request that their Industrial
Hygienist be allowed to perform a site visit to better evaluate the conditi=
ons
which exist in this building. This
evaluation would also help the doctors better treat my wife for what she has
been exposed to. The CONN OSHA
testing capabilities are limited to air quality testing only with respect t=
o identifying
specific types and kinds of mold.
There needs to be much more comprehensive testing done for the health
and safety of employees and the public.&nb=
sp;
The evaluation which Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine
proposed would have been at no cost to the Town. This Town Council has either ignor=
ed or
refused the proposal. Do they
really care for the health and safety of the employees and the public? I say they do not. More recently my wife requested of=
the
Town a copy of the most recent air quality survey. To date, the Town has not offered
same. Is the Town Council con=
cerned
for the health of my wife? I =
say they
are not. On August 2nd of thi=
s year
a letter from my wife's doctor at the Trumbull Research Group in
Many
different types of mold are present in alarmingly high concentration in the
Town Hall. Some molds are sim=
ple
irritants and allergens, and some are toxic molds, which have the potential=
of
causing far more serious and potentially irreversible health issues. I am aware that the mold,
and I'm going to spell it, because even though I did once stay at a Holiday=
Inn
Express, I'm not capable of pronouncing this word - Stachbotrys. That's the name of the mold. I'm aware that that mold is present=
in
the Town Hall. This is a toxic
mold. It makes good sense and=
is
logical that if this mold is present in any concentration at all, that more
comprehensive testing is indicated.
However, based on the actions and lack of actions this Town Council =
has
implemented with respect to addressing the health and safety issues at the =
Town
Hall thus far, it would seem unlikely that the public or the employees of t=
he
Town should count on the Town Council to move forward in any logical way.
Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 4 Over
the past months I have learned that molds in general can cause many differe=
nt
kinds of symptoms in different people.&nbs=
p;
Some of these symptoms include but are not limited to, Fibromyalgia,
coughing, sneezing, sinusitis, difficulty swallowing, choking, vomiting,
burning in the throat and lungs, asthmatic signs of wheezing, shortness of
breath, altered immunity, memory loss, vision problems, headaches, balance
problems, hair loss, joint and muscle stiffness and pain, irregular heartbe=
at,
heart attacks, skin irritations and many more. Does it not make good sense that t=
he
Town step up to the plate and do the right thing by implementing the proper
testing of this sick building for the sake of all who go into there? Does it make any sense to a reason=
able
person among us that there are employees still working in a leaky, wet, mold
filled, sick building which we call Town Hall? Since the CONN OSHA complaints were
filed by my wife and since she took medical leave, the Town has not
demonstrated any willingness to address the real and serious issues which e=
xist
at the Town Hall. Instead of
concentrating their efforts and concerns on getting to the heart of the pro=
blem
and protecting the employees and the public, the Town has concerned itself
primarily with how to keep information under wraps and keep the employees
working in a sick building. The
Town Council has by actions, and lack of actions, in essence discharged a
statutorily elected Town Clerk.
They have cut off her pay and refused to provide a safe and healthy
workplace. There have been no
efforts to address the real issues, only to obstruct the Town Clerk from
performing her duties as set forth in Connecticut General Statutes. The Town Council is aware that the=
Town
Clerk is under her physician's orders not to be exposed to the conditions at
the Town Hall, or other buildings with mold or water incursion problems, yet
they refuse to provide a safe and healthy workplace. The actions and inactions of the T=
own
Council defies logic. Does it make any sense for the Tow=
n to
concentrate its efforts and resources on preserving the Town Hall building =
as a
priority over protecting its employees and the public? I say it does not. I am personally in favor of preser=
ving
the Town Hall building and I applaud the efforts of the Town Hall Preservat=
ion
Group, I just do not believe that preservation should be a priority over he=
alth
and safety. It is known and h=
as
been known for some time that all who enter the =
Town
Hall building are being exposed to mold and possible negative health
effects. I ask the Town Counc=
il to
take a long, hard look at its priorities in this matter. I ask that in addition to the prop=
osed
structural studies, the Town Council focus on the more immediate health and
safety issues. I suggest the
following actions be taken: &=
nbsp; 1. =
Immediately
relocate the employees and the operations of the Town Hall to a temporary or
permanent location which is clean, safe, and healthy. &=
nbsp; 2. =
Authorize
and implement proper cleaning and remediation of all of the records contain=
ed
in the Town Hall so as not to contaminate a new location and further expose
employees and the public. &=
nbsp; 3. =
Authorize
and implement proper and comprehensive testing of the Town Hall, including =
the
main level, basement level, and vaults, and the upper level including testi=
ng
of wood rafters and roof membranes.
This so that the facts are on the table and known to all and more
important, so that more precise medical treatment can be implemented for the
Town Clerk and any other person who has been exposed to the conditions which
exist at the sick building we call Town Hall. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 5 I
brought just a couple of photographs of some of the mold in the Town Hall a=
nd I
have a (inaudible) here of our land records in the vault, covered in mold, =
and
I'd like to ask all members of the Council and the public if they had this =
in
their workplace or a member of their family had this in their workplace, wo=
uld
they be satisfied with these conditions and would they feel safe in that
workplace? I just ask that I =
get
these photos back. I thank yo=
u for
your time, and I'll hang around so I can get my photos back. Bob Guerrera, Mr. Guerrera: You guys got a lot on your We
were asked, we are lucky enough, our organizatio=
n is
one of the lucky ones who is able to use the Mills Complex this year for our
Sunday games. Our central boa=
rd
asked us if we would like to host 8 and 9 year old jamboree. That was 12 separate towns coming =
in to Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 6 Yes,
will the field have to be replaced in 12 years? Probably, but you know what, if yo=
u do
it like Pomperaug does it, they have a separate account. Everything they make on that field=
goes
into that account. When their=
12
years are up and if the field has to be replaced at that period, they'll ha=
ve
the money and it won't cost the Town a dime. They use that field constantly. We
hear a lot of things. I have =
to say
we heard a lot of excuses. No=
body
wants to really look at this idea. <=
/span>We
heard about the lights, we hard about tearing up a grass field that was just
planted, but you know what, discontent is the first necessity of progress.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Yea, there might be a couple of
neighbors upset that the lights are on, but you have a whole Town, the whol=
e Town
can't be stopped with their progress by 2 people complaining about the
lights. I'm not going to bore=
you
with the numbers. We brought =
the
field turf rep back in case there's any questions,
let's get them out in the open now, let's discuss it. We're not talking about the old ca=
rpet,
we're talking about turf that cuts down on injury, can be used constantly, =
very
little maintenance, and that’s what we've been asking right from the
beginning. So if you have an =
open
mind, listen to the people who are here, the numbers are all out there, and=
I
think when it comes down to it, you're going to say, hey, you know what, th=
is
is the best thing. And another
question I have is did anybody here really walk that complex? Really looked? Have they looked at where they thr=
ow the
shot put, weeds are growing up all over the place. Have they looked along the track w=
here
the drainage is, all the weeds popping up, probably because there was never=
any
weed fabric put down underneath?
Have you really looked at the grass we're talking about rolling up?<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> I mean really just look. If you really look, you're going t=
o say
you know what, back then we really didn't get what we paid for. That sod, I keep telling you, says=
a
public recreational facility and then right outside of it it says keep off =
the
grass. It doesn't make sense.=
Let's do the thing, we've got this
almost free money, it's not going to cost the Town a dime, and we fix somet=
hing
that puts us into the 21st century.
Thank you. Tony Mucciaciaro, Mr. Mucciaciaro: I coached travel teams for WAY=
S,
boys and girls, for several years, and currently I'm the girls
varsity soccer coach. I just =
wanted
to give you a couple of facts regarding artificial turf I've experienced. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 7 Back
in 2004 we took a couple of teams down to Poughkeepsie, NY representing
Connecticut and played our first game at 9:00, I think at 9:50, just before=
the
game was over, it down poured for about an hour. After that we resumed play within =
about
15 minutes because the drainage was so good with the artificial turf we did=
n't
have to worry about unsafe play and muddy field that we were able to contin=
ue
with the tournament, we didn't have to send teams home, get them there the =
next
day, cancel referees, cancel the concession stands, and last year on our wa=
y up
to Pomperaug in September we had to stop the bus twice due to such heavy do=
wnpours,
once on Straits Turnpike and once on Route 64, but when we got to Pomperaug,
the field was in such good condition we actually had to hurry up and get the
team ready to get the game done on schedule, that's how good condition the
field was in. There was no
slipping, no injuries due to the muddy field, due to puddles, anything such=
as
that, and personally I just think, I believe artificial turf is just a grea=
t,
great, logical idea because it will give our athletes and students a great =
and
tremendous opportunity to play on a great field. Thank you very much. Sean Butterly, Mr. Butterly: I'm the former W.H.S. Gridiron=
Club
spokesman and I was in that capacity when the lights were put in at the John
Mills Complex and we worked with Representative Flaherty and others in town=
to
get the field lighted, but we also thought at that time that it would
eventually be expanded and 10 years ago when we were working on this, we al=
so
thought soccer and field hockey should also someday enjoy the field. Now as you know it's expanded into=
a
nice track, but it's a grass field.
Little did we know 10 years ago that lacrosse would become so big,
another great sport. I teach =
law in
Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 8 Sandra Greenwood, Ms. Greenwood: I have a couple of questions concer=
ning
the Town Hall. I'm trying to =
be
very biased about this Town Hall situation with Mrs. Stewart and I'd like to
ask a couple of questions while Mr. Stewart is still here. How many people right now are work=
ing in
that Town Hall? =
; Mr.
Nardelli: 9. Ms. Greenwood: And that's not including Mrs. Stewa=
rt? Mr. Nardelli: Right. Ms. Greenwood: And have any of these people become
ill? Have any of them left fo=
r been
sick with any problems at al? This
is what I don't seem to understand, how come people are still working there=
and
no one else has been complaining about being ill? Mr. Nardelli: Not to my knowledge, no. Ms. Greenwood: How long has Mrs. Stewart been work=
ing
there? Mr. Nardelli: January, 2002, correct me if I'm w=
rong. Ms. Greenwood: And when did she become ill? Was there nothing immediate with th=
is
problem or did she get this, I mean if it's been 2002 and we're now in 2006,
she's been working there say 3 or 4 years with no symptoms, so I don't
understand this. With mold or
allergies or asthma, my son has this and he has adult onset asthma, you just
don't get this within a matter of 3 or 4 years, you get this right away, so=
I'm
a little confused about this, and I truly don't mean to be rude or, I just,
there's some questions that I don't understand. That's all I have to say, thank yo=
u. Susan Chowaniec, Ms. Chowaniec: Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 9 Mr. Pawlak: That should probably be brought
before the Public Works Subcommittee. Mr. Kane: Maybe you could let her know when =
the
next Public Works Subcommittee meeting is. Mr. Rinaldi: Second Tuesday of every month, 7:00=
p.m.,
Town Hall Annex. Ms. Adams: Have you talked to Roy Cavanaugh, =
the
Director of Public Works? Ms. Chowaniec: No, I spoke to Chuck Berger. Ms. Adams: I'm sure we don't get requests lik=
e this
very often, unless they're from developers to accept streets, but I'm sure
there is a procedure to go through, an I think
probably Frank should alert Mr. Nardelli: Yea, but he's on vacation right no=
w. Mr. Pawlak: Was this at one time a Ms. Chowaniec: No, I don't think it ever was.=
Ms. Adams: I think it was probably at one poin=
t, (inaudible)
Heminway and Ms. Chowaniec: Okay, so (Tape #1, Side A ended - may have missed some). Mr. Nardelli: They'll probably put it on the Pub=
lic Works
Subcommittee Agenda for September. Jim Krayeski, Mr. Krayeski: I'm back again folks, to talk about
$600,000. We have a grant tha=
t's
being tossed around, what to do with it.&n=
bsp;
We've investigated every possible avenue to this point, trying to pu=
t 2
more fields in, try to turf this field or buy some property. I think the best thing we can do r=
ight
now is do what's best for the kids and the student athletes in the Town of
Watertown, and that's your decision to make, whether you want to turf that
field and go against $860,000 that we previously spent with previous
administrations, or do the right thing and put turf on that field. You've heard all the pros and cons, it's up to you 9 people. You have to do it. The longer it takes, the longer it=
's
going to be before they put that on there, so if they play a season on it
before you get enough bids and Mr. Nardelli works his magic and gets all th=
ese
bids that he has to get for the turf, I don't think they could start
construction before next Spring, but that would be the ideal thing, and I t=
hink
we're wasting time, so pick up your britches and let's go. Thank you very much. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 10 Bill Donston, Mr. Donston: Mr. Krayeski is a good friend of mi=
nd and
has a plausible idea about adding fields.&=
nbsp;
I'm in agreement with Mr. Butterly, Mr. Guerrera, Mr. Krayeski that =
we
definitely need to put the turf down on the field. I have been a staunch proponent ab=
out
buying new land, I was involved in a grass roots effort for the Paparazzo
property, then it became the Paparazzo/Sperry property, and then the
Rickivicius property and I realize at some point in time we need to expand =
and
buy the fields. Now is not the
time. We got lucky. The grant originally was for the p=
urchase
of land. Through the
representatives of our Town in I'm
involved in many, many groups in this Town. I'm involved with the Babe Ruth Or=
ganization,
senior division coach, 16 - 19 year olds.&=
nbsp;
I'm the Treasurer. Rig=
ht now
I'm helping the President, slowly taking over his duties, he's getting read=
y to
step down after many years of faithful service. I coach with the WAYS Soccer leagu=
e, I
coach in Town basketball and I coach little league. I have a good cross section of the
people. Most of the people wa=
nt
turf, but the one thing that's holding everybody back, Mr. Krayeski brought=
the
point up, $860,000. Yes, we s=
pent
$860,000. I don't have the fi=
gures,
but the Town Council can put the figure out immediately. How much of that went to the track,
which will not be affected by re-turfing?&=
nbsp;
It wasn't $860,000, it was maybe $600,000 out of that total $860,000=
, so
we're not paring up and losing $860,000, we're losing a small proportion of
that, the turf up there, and the figure of 12 years, most of the field figu=
res
I heard were in the range of 20 years of useful life, with normal maintenan=
ce,
being like painting maybe once every 5 years for your different sports. The turf company that was quoted at
$577,000, I'm sure is a reputable place, but I've heard of some other quotes
from reputable firms less than that.
Again, I'm sure due diligence, we have 3 viable quotes before we wen=
t with
anybody. Mr. Krayeski is right, it's too late for this year. Turf is the way to go, to keep
maintenance down.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 11
The
one thing that a couple of people in Town have mentioned to me,
is what about graduations. We=
know
Swift graduations for a couple of years is out t=
he
window. With turf at the fiel=
d and
a new sound system, which the Gold Circle of Sports right now, another group
I'm involved with is looking into, we can combine both graduations, one day=
the
high school, one day Swift, which saves the Board of Ed money in setting up=
two
different venues to have graduations, plus the high school, if the need is
needed, the indoor is much larger than swift. Other groups can use the sound sys=
tem up
there and the turf for year round use, cause right now that field only gets
used about 10% of its useful life.
90% can save us a lot of money in buying million dollar fields which=
yes,
we do need, we're not going to get them right now. The $600,000 I'm afraid will be los=
t if
we don't make a decision to swing around.&=
nbsp;
I don't feel that our representatives in
Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 8:50 p.m.
5.&nb=
sp; Minutes
&= nbsp; A. Regular Meeting Minutes – July 17, 2006
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Mr. = Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated July 17, 2006 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Kane, Mr. Mancini, Mr. Pawlak, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rin= aldi, Mr. Walton
= ; &n= bsp; Opposed: = None
= ; &n= bsp; Abstained: Mr. Guerrera
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (8-0-1)
&=
nbsp; B. =
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Mr. = Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to Approve the Special Town Mee= ting Minutes dated July 17, 2006 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Kane, Mr. Mancini, Mr. Pawlak, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Walton
= ; &n= bsp; Opposed: = None
= ; &n= bsp; Abstained: Mr. Guerrera
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (8-0-1)
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 12
6.&nb= sp; Chairman’s Report
= A= . Correspondence
=
1=
. =
Planning
and Zoning Commission to Connecticut Siting Council, Re: Nextel Corporation proposed cellul=
ar
communications facility at
=
&nb=
sp; Mr. Pawlak: I read this letter back in July reg=
arding
the citizen concern on
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Mr. Nardelli: No, the State L= ocal, I forget the department. Roy = Hyfer is his name, I believe.
= &nb= sp; Mr. Pawlak: We also received applications for = the Zoning Enforcement Officer which we'll be going through in the next several w4eeks. It closes this Friday= and we have 12 applications.
= &nb= sp; The Part Time Economic Development Coordinator position closed last Friday so we have to evaluate those.
= &nb= sp; We closed out fiscal year 05/06 and we're waiting for final numbers which will probably be some time in October.
= &nb= sp; Mr. Rinaldi: You probably heard several times me speak about the funding of water and sewer projects and the fact that anyth= ing outside of the old Oakville Fire District should be a general benefit offse= t by special benefit or benefits (inaudible).&n= bsp; I asked Mr. Nardelli to research the last 3 projects (inaudible), th= at would be Dunrobin Lane, Circuit Avenue and Westgate, East, Beach and Long (= inaudible) and come to find out they're all (inaudible) 100% general benefit. Circuit Avenue was offset by $450,= 000 in General Fund (inaudible). What I’m going to do is pass these out, (inaudible) so that in the future before (inaudible).
= &nb= sp; Ms. Adams: So what you're saying is that = no user money was used to fund these projects, they= were all done with either benefit derived or general benefit?
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 13
= &nb= sp; Mr. Rinaldi: Yes.
= &nb= sp; Mr. Primini: That was the question I had (inaud= ible) about general benefit.
= = ; Mr. Rinaldi: The users . . . = . what John had said, and I know him well, he felt that = the $45,000 or whatever it was should have been spread over the properties involved, but you can't do that. By law, if you have (inaudible) and he determines what the benefit derived (in= audible) you can't collect any more than that, so the subtotal of that becomes a spe= cial benefit, whatever is left comes from the General Fund. We can't take the $45,000 and spre= ad it out over (inaudible).
= &nb= sp; Ms. Adams: (Inaudible.)
= &nb= sp; Mr. Rinaldi: Yes, additional engineering (inaud= ible).
= B= . = Appointment of Town Manager's Executive Search Committee
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Mr. Pawlak: In order to stay = within the law so to speak, we have to appoint an Executive Search Committee to interview the prospective candidates for the Town Manager's position, so as= the Chairman, I'm going to appoint the entire Town Council. I want everybody to participate an= d be a party to the discussions, so everyone here will be a member of that Executi= ve Search Committee. We have in = fact over the past month or two reviewed 17 résumés; we've narrowe= d it down to 3, and I expect we'll be interviewing those people within a week and hopefully we can make a decision well before the end of the month.
7. =
&= nbsp; Mr. Nardelli: I met with C.R.= R.A. concerning their pending permit modifications for increased tonnage at the transfer station and I requested some financial considerations to the Town. The officials fro C.R.R= .A. are going to get back tome with a proposal, so right n= ow I'm still waiting for that.
= In regards to the Part Time Economic Development Coordinator, we received 9 applications and the cut off date was last Friday. The interview process will be star= ting, which will involve the Economic Development Commission and myself.
= The Planning and Zoning Enforcement Officer position closes this Friday and to = date we've received 12 applications.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 14
8.&nb=
sp; Subcommittee
Reports
&= nbsp; A. Public Works Subcommittee
= Mr. Rinaldi: At the last meeting we received a decision from the Town's insurance carrier, that we as a Town are not responsible for the damage to Mrs. Witocki's property. She does however have the right to= bring suit against the people at Quassapaug and that certainly is her prerogative= .
=
T=
he
Subcommittee has decided to try stone dust sealing on
=
W=
ork
is ready to begin on
&= nbsp; B. = Business Development Subcommittee
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Guerrera: We have been me= eting with E.D.C. and as you said before, we (inaudible). There are a number of items we hav= e been working on and we feel very positive about it, and we'll have a report for = the next meeting.
C. Finance Subcommittee
= ; Mr. Mancini: No report.
&= nbsp; D. Ordinance Subcommittee
= ; Ms. Plowman: No report, but we should have something for the next meeting.
9.&nb=
sp; Unfinished
Business
None
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 15
10.&n=
bsp; New
Business
&=
nbsp; A. Consider
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
= ; &n= bsp; 1. = Board Of Assessment Appeals
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; MOTION: (Mr.
Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to nominate Ronald Russ,
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; = ; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
=
; &n=
bsp; 2. =
Consider
the Reappointment of Denise Russ,
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; MOTION: (Mr.
Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to nominate Denise Russ,
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; = ; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
B. &nbs= p; Consider the Use of the State Grant Funding for either the purchase of Open Space for the development of Athletic Fields or utilize the Funds for the Upgrade of Existing Recreational Athletic Facilities
Mr. Nardelli: In your packet you'll see the Kaes= tle Boos proposal to the Board of Education.&n= bsp; The total construction cost is $595,000 and the other page shows what was excluded from the process, the irrigation system, and Dr. Erardi provid= ed this.
Mr. Pawlak: We did get the, I guess we could ca= ll it the third estimate for field option on the existing property below the Mills Complex from Kaestle Boos and they did come up with about $595,000 which wo= uld give us one additional field with the exclusion of wetland concerns, rock l= edge issues, which we do not know at this point, and irrigation system, access roads, parking, walks, athletic equipment, goals, etc. Roy Cavanaugh provided us with a s= imilar estimate and I think his estimate was very, very close to that estimate als= o, although I don't think he excluded anything. His total came up to about $600,00= 0 for one field also, and of course we have the turf option for $567,000 so we ha= ve 3 options. I guess at this point we've had numerous discussions from many people, Town Council members inclu= ded.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 16
Mr. Kane: I know that the Superintendent= is here as well as a number of Board of Education members; have they gone on record stating what their preference is?
Mr. Pawlak: No, they have not. We've addressed the Board, several = of us. They do have a meeting, I= think next Monday, and I suspect that this item will be on their agenda and it re= ally boils down to with respect to an additional field, if we were to do that option, lower down below the Mills Complex, the issue really boils down to = the control, i.e., the scheduling and maintenance of the facility, and the main= tenance, I think it makes more sense for the Town to handle that, based on past performance, particularly if the land, but with respect to the scheduling, that's still an issue that the Board has to wrestle with and we've gone on record as saying that, if we do go that option we want to do that from the = Town's side, so we'll wait and see what happens there, but we have a little bit of time left and I do want to get this thing done, certainly in early September. That may be optimi= stic but (inaudible).
Ms. Adams: We've had several people come = here tonight and talk about the artificial turf. Last meeting we had a representati= ve from an artificial turf company come and make a presentation. It seems to me that we asked for t= he Board's opinion, I think it was back in June, we= asked then what they wanted to do. = This option we have more and more people coming to talk to us. We need to ask the Board of Ed wha= t they think about that. Again, we c= an't do anything without their okay, and at least have an answer for the people = who would like to see the turf, I know there's both = pros and cons of doing something like this, but I think the people who spoke ton= ight deserve an answer.
Mr. Kane: I agree with Elaine, that's why I a= sked the question, we haven't heard from them officially what they'd consider.
Dr. Erardi: Just as information from the B= oard of Education, the Board has been doing their absolute best to be respectful= to the $600,000 that has not been given to them. It's real easy to spend other folk= s' money and we've tried to respond to the questions that have come to the Town Coun= cil, at least to the best of my knowledge, that the Council is very interested in the third quote and (inaudible) did a nice job sharing the information with= the Board. I'd be more than happy= to bring information back to Mary Dzioba, the Chairman of the Board of Ed, for= the Monday meeting and I just need further direction and clarification on what = you're looking for from the Board in regards to the $600,000. We jut don't want to overstep our boundary.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 17
Mr. Pawlak: Well what we're looking for with re= spect to the $600,000 is if we were to pursue the development of a new field, wes= t of the current Mills Complex, and the Town Council would expect to take care of the maintenance and the scheduling of that field. With respect to the Mills Complex, = since we haven't gotten to that point yet, I can tell you honestly, we haven't re= ally discussed the scheduling of that, but I think that most of the Council memb= ers would probably agree, I hazard to speak for them, but since that is already= an established high school facility under the control of the Board, I have not entertained any thought to the contrary that they would not schedule their field, and the maintenance of course, as everybody I think acknowledges, is minimal.
Ms. Adams: (Inaudible.)
Mr. Pawlak: That's what I do.
Dr. Erardi: We'll finalize our Agenda prob= ably within the next couple of days and I'll work with Frank as far as further directing from the Council back to us.&nbs= p; Thank you.
Mr. Nardelli: Whatever way the Council decides to= go, there will be a Special Town Meeting to appropriate those funds.
Mr. Pawlak: Right, it's not something that the = Town Council can unilaterally do.
Mr. Rinaldi: I made several comments up unt= il now, but I really think in all fairness, I agree with Elaine, we need to see what the Board of Ed wants (inaudible).&nb= sp; I think for me to make any further comments would be useless at this point. I'd have to see what t= he results are of that meeting and then having all the information in front of= me would probably help me firm up my position.
&= nbsp; C. Consider Authorizing the Execution of an Engineering Agreement with Tata and Howard = for Design Services for the Upgrade and Rehabilitation of the Fern Hill Pumping Station
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Mr. Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to auth= orize the execution of an engineering agreement with Tata and Howard for design services for the upgrade and rehabilitation of the Fern Hill Pump Station.<= /span>
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: = ; Mr. Pawlak: I noticed, is thi= s the one that there was about $25,700 noted in engineering on this? I suspect that's not the total cos= t, is that correct? And also what's the timeframe on this?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Jodaitis: That's the design cost for the pro= ject, $25,000, not the project cost.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 18
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: So that's basically unless there's= any special services they mentioned in the other items there. What's the timeframe for this?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Jodaitis: We wanted to get going on this as = fast as we can because one of the situations of this it will allow us to convert= the generator in that station to be able to pump water up into the Scovill tank. Currently we have proba= bly one small pump that we can pump to the power point, so if there's a simultaneous main break say in Waterbury and a power failure, we have no way of getting water into the Scovill service area.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Pawlak: That's the big tank up on top of t= he hill?
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Jodaitis: Right. Along with this we have to change = the pump and this pump station that we were discussing in great length, we were essentially making replacements in it and changing how the power is fed to = the pump, because presently it's 20 feet down in the ground and the station is pretty well beat up, it's 30 years old and probably should be replaced; a h= ost of issues.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; D. Consider Authorizing the Establishment of a Sick Bank for a Highway Department Emplo= yee
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Mr. Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to authorize the establishment of a sick bank for= a Highway Department Employee.
Discussion: Ms. Adams: Just so (inaudible).
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Primini: Does this sick b= ank come out of the members of that particular union?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: No, this is open to all of the unio= ns.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 19
&= nbsp; E. = Consider Request from Little League for an Extension of Lease for the Mosgrove Field=
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. = Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the extension and amendment of the lease for Mosgrove Field for an additional 25 years with a termination date of July 31, 2037; also with the notification = to delete any referenced to "it's assignee" and paragraph 8 of the existing lease as follows: &q= uot;8. With t= he advance written consent of the Town, the League may assign this lease to a non-profit organization as long as the use of the land remains directly rel= ated to baseball".
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Primini: Is there a timeframe for the lease= ?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: I think the current one goes to 201= 2.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: This is a 25 year extension.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Primini: Shouldn't that be part of the moti= on?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: The only question that I would hav= e or suggestion is that this lease has probably been amended and addended several times over its life, so I would like to see that if we approve this, that we rewrite the lease so that it contains any prior amendments and addenda, so = that we have one place, one piece of paper that everybody has and there's no questions about where an attachment is.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Adams: Instead of the 4 w= e have now?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: Exactly, so we have one document t= hat we can refer to that Park and Rec has, Little League has, and the Town Manager has.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
(Tape #1, Side B ended - may have missed some.)
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 20
&=
nbsp; F. =
Consider
a Resolution Authorizing Frank J. Nardelli, Jr.,
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the
Resolution authorizing Frank J. Nardelli, Jr., Acting Town Manager, to enter
into and execute on behalf of the Town of
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: I know this was originally somewhe= re around the 14th of June, it was due July 21st.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: We have until August 24th.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&=
nbsp; G. Consider
a Resolution Authorizing Frank J. Nardelli, Jr., Acting Town Manager to ent=
er
into a Cost Sharing Agreement with the State of Connecticut for Emergency
Vehicle Pre-emption System Equipment for Route 73 at Buckingham Street in c=
onnection
with State Project No. 174-302, Federal-Aid Project No. STPA 1174(118)<=
/p>
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the
Resolution authorizing Frank J. Nardelli, Jr., Acting Town Manager, to enter
into a Cost Sharing Agreement with the State of Connecticut for emergency
vehicle pre-emption system equipment for Route 73 at Buckingham Street in
connection with State Project No. 174-302, Federal-Aid Project No. STPA 1174(118). &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Ms. Adams: This is where St. Mary Magdalene's =
Church
is, correct? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: Yes. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Ms. Adams: Do you know what a nightmare that is
anyway, when traffic backs up into &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Fire Marshall Black: It will clear the intersection so if
we're coming either down Buckingham Street responding to Main Street or com=
ing
south onto Main Street towards the Pin Shop, it will turn the lights green =
so
we can go through a red light. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 21 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Ms. Adams: So it’s not going to really do
anything to clear out the traffic? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Fire Marshall Black: No, it has noting to do with that.<=
/p>
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: What is the range on this equipment=
? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Fire Marshall Black: It's surprisingly long. If we come around the corner by th=
e Post
Office it will turn the light green, it's a very rapid transition. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: I think I talked to you about this
previously. I think this is a=
good
idea, I think you have it at the . . . . &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Fire Marshall Black: We have it at several other
intersections. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: Have you ever again pursued the ide=
a of
warning signals somewhere near the location of the firehouse, especially wi=
th
the (inaudible)? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Fire Chief Black: We asked the State D.O.T. to repeat=
edly
look at that and they have told us that it's not going to happen. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: I noticed our State Representative =
is in
the room, is there any way that he can help us? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Fire Chief Black: We'd certainly be willing to try ag=
ain. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; H. Consider
an Appropriation from the General Fund in the amount of $19,700 for Contain=
er Services
at the &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve an
appropriation from the General Fund in the amount of $19,700 for container
services at the Watertown Transfer Station. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion None &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 22 &=
nbsp; I. &=
nbsp; Consider
Authorizing the &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to authorize the=
Town
Manager to amend an agreement with H.B. Fishman in the amount of $9,000 for
additional litigation support services in connection with the John Trumbull=
Litigation. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion Ms. Adams: Is this all coming out of bond mone=
y? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: Yes. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: This is in addition to the $5,=
000
we've already spent? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: We've already spent $15,000. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; J. &=
nbsp; Consider
a Bid Waiver in the amount of $15,726.35 for the Green Hill Subdivision for=
an
Increase in Water Main Diameter in &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to authorize a B=
id
Waiver in the amount of $15,726.35 for the Green Hill Subdivision for an
increase in water main diameter in paper &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion Ms. Adams: Has the work been done yet? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: It's done. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Ms. Adams: When was it completed? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: I believe it was in January or Febr=
uary. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: Why are we just getting it now? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Ms. Adams: Have we been holding up Matty's Pav=
ing
for payment for 8 months? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: You'd have to talk to Frank Jodaiti=
s; it
came to me on July 27th. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 23 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: I'm not really sure, it was some ti=
me
last Winter that this was done, and then Matty's had to bill us and we had
agreed on a price, and Matty's wanted more money so we had a little discuss=
ion and
basically I chose to pay them what we had agreed with them because we had b=
een
trying to get them to do this water main since 2002. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: So what does this represent, the ba=
lance,
or this is the total which includes additional monies? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: What this money is for is when the
project was initially approved back in 88 or something of that nature, it w=
as a
water main that went from Icehouse Road to Lisbon Street, but there was no
water main that went up to Gorham and as part of this cross-town water main
project we took the main, that was the 8 inch main that was supposed to go =
up
Icehouse Road, valued that, (inaudible) as long as the piece of main that w=
as
required to go to Gorham Street so then we got 3 different quotes from pipe
suppliers and we came up with a price for them to do the job based on some =
cost
estimating guys. Now that was=
okay
with Matty's paving and that happened basically a year ago. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Rinaldi: This is water and sewer money, righ=
t? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: Water money. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: So this is the difference going fro=
m 8
inch to 12 inch? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: Right. And going a li=
ttle
bit, a couple hundred feet further. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: When did he present this bill? I'm just wondering if it was done =
in January
and we're talking about it now in August. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: No, the bill wasn't presented to us=
until
sometime in late Spring or early Summer. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: With respect to timing, why did the=
Town
Manager see it on July 28th, why not in April, May or June? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: I was basically out of the loop for=
the
month of June. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Primini: How do we approve a bid waiver afte=
r the
work has been done? This seem=
s to
be a moot point. The purpose =
of a
bid waiver is to vote on it before the work has been done. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 24 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: Well we had a developer's agreement=
with
Matty's. This is a modificati=
on (inaudible). For a period of time there were fu=
nds
that had been approved for the cross-town water main and we were trying to =
get
the funds released and could not get that done, and all of these (inaudible)
different negotiations and prices came past, the Water & Sewer Authority
was updated on it and voted to do this extension, and maybe rightly or wron=
gly
most of these things that we do under these developer's agreements, once the
agreements are made we live with them and sometimes we end up paying more m=
oney
than we had anticipated because of circumstances that arise. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: I think the question, though, Ray b=
rings
up is valid, I mean if we're going to go for a bid waiver, it should be dom=
e prior
to letting the contract as opposed to 7 months later. That's just something we shouldn't
do. With the exception I thin=
k of
Item L, which was an emergency repair, that's a different situation, but the
fact remains for us to do a bid wavier it should be done before anybody, not
just you, goes out and spends the money. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Primini: I have no problem as far as the pro=
ject,
it's something we've done in the past, but if we're going to approve the mo=
ney,
but I don't understand how we can approve a bid waiver. I have no problem approving the mo=
ney,
but it's not a bid waiver, the work has already been done. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: At this point the only thing I can =
offer
is it's technically a bid waiver because it was never put out to bid. I mean we can argue semantics, but=
it's
not going to get us anywhere, we're going to have to pay it, but we have to
make sure that any departments contemplating over $4,000, if they expect a =
bid
waiver that they come to us before they do that, and that's just the way it=
's supposed
to be done and everyone should be made aware of that. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Rinaldi: I agree, but in this case the work =
is
done. &=
nbsp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: We're not arguing that. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Primini: My question is we can't approve a b=
id
waiver now cause the work has been done.&n=
bsp;
The only thing we can do now is approve the amount of the money to p=
ay
this bill. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: Still technically it is a bid waive=
r. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Jodaitis: I agree in retrospect, perhaps my t=
ask of
trying to get them to do it over a period of 3 years just blurred my . . . =
. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 25 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: Frank, make note to make sure that =
all of
the department heads are fully aware of that in the future. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: Yes. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; K. Consider
A Bid Waiver for Body Repairs for Engine #2 for =
the &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve a Bid
Waiver for body repairs for Engine #2 for the Watertown Fire Department to =
be
completed by Gowans-Knight Co., Inc. for an amount not to exceed $22,800. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Kane: Was this already in the budget and=
then
taken out? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: No, it stayed in. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Mancini: $21,800 is in the budget for the wo=
rd to
be done. The new pricing is $=
1,000
more and the Fire Department is going to get the other $1,000 on their own,
from their maintenance plan. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; L. =
Consider
a Bid Waiver for Emergency Repairs for a Water Main Break and Pavement Repa=
ir
on &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve a Bid
Waiver for emergency repairs for a water main break and pavement repair on =
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: The same sort of situation except i=
t is
an emergency, so we don't have a problem with that. My only concern was that this took=
place
March 27th and it's now August 21st so we're 5 months later. We have to be =
more
timely with bringing these things before the Town Council, Frank, ok=
ay? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 26 &=
nbsp; M. Consider
Reclassification of Planning and Zoning Consultant from Consultant to Town =
of &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the
reclassification of the Planning and Zoning Consultant from Consultant to T=
own
of &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Kane: Are we reclassifying the person who=
is
the consultant and making him an employee? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: That's correct. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: Why? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: When it was originally proposed to =
me by
the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, they said they wanted to
make the person a contractual position, being a subcontractor, not an emplo=
yee,
and that was the way it was presented to Council, but after further speaking
with our labor attorney, the person should really be an employee for insura=
nce
purposes. If he gets sued or
something, making a wrong decision, he is not an employee, he's a
subcontractor, and he'd have to have his own insurance. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: I think there were other issues als=
o with
respect to accidents or mishaps while he's under our employ. We're the only . . . &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Ms. Adams: Direct (inaudible). &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: Right, I mean if you want further
clarification Joe Summa is here, but I'm very comfortable with doing this; I
think it's the right way to protect the Town from any possible exposure. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: Well if you had him come out, we mi=
ght as
well hear what he has to say. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Atty. Summa: Basically the individual probably u=
nder
the law wouldn't qualify as an consultant. I'm a consultant to the Town, with=
a few
hundred clients, I myself out professionally so you get all kinds of proble=
ms both
with the federal income tax, the unemployment tax, and most of all the worker's compensation. If something were to happen while =
he was
on our property we have coverage and everyone has a vested interest in
determining this type of position is not a control (inaudible). Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 27 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: This person was an employee of the =
Town
previously, correct? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: Correct. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: So now how does this affect his pen=
sion
benefits? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: It doesn't affect his pension benef=
its
because he's a temporary, part time individual. If he were to become full time,
permanent position we would have to (inaudible) on his pension. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: =
Doesn't
the motion particularly or specifically mention no
benefits? No seniority or (in=
audible)
service, anything like that. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: Right. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: No, I know that, my question was
regarding pensions, being a previous employee. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: And that would be true if he were to
become a permanent, full time position, then we'd have a problem (inaudible=
). &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Kane: Is he 1 of the 12 candidates? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Ms. Adams: We can't talk about that. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; N. Consider
an Appropriation in the amount of $24,982 from the General Fund for the
purchase of a Police Vehicle &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the
appropriation in the amount of $24,982 from the General Fund for the purcha=
se
of a police vehicle. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Bromley: This is something that was voted on
already in May, but because the insurance check didn't come until after July
1st, we lost (inaudible) back to General Fund. &=
nbsp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; Mr. Pawlak: It's not the total, it's just a por=
tion
of it is coming out of our Fund? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Bromley: Right, they got $13,800 from the
insurance company, so we're just (inaudible) back to get it done. Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 28 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Primini: This is to replace the vehicle that=
was in
the accident? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Bromley: Yes. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; O. Consider
Engineering into an Agreement with Joseph L. Calabrese, P.C. for structural=
investigation
of the Town Hall Structure and Roof as recommended by the Public Buildings
Committee &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to authorize the
Acting Town Manager to execute and enter into an agreement with Joseph L.
Calabrese, P.C. for structural investigation of the Town Hall structure and
roof as recommended by the Public Buildings Committee. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: On the package that we had, it indi=
cated
the copy of each proposal was attached. I only had one; did I miss somethin=
g? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: The packet was about 3 inches thick=
, so I
tried to save a few trees. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Pawlak: This was $18,000 and the other=
one
was $24,000? &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Mr. Nardelli: (Inaudible.) &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; P. =
Consider
an Appropriation in the amount of $18,000 from the General Fund for a
consultant for the Structural Investigation of the Town Hall Structure and =
Roof &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr. =
Rinaldi,
sec. Mr. Walton) to approve an Ap=
propriation
in the amount of $18,000 from the General Fund for a consultant for the
structural investigation of the Town Hall structure and roof. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: None<=
/p>
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY &=
nbsp; Q. Consider
Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds R
E S O L U T I O N &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; WHEREAS,
expenses in the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year require the Transfer of Funds: Regular Meeting August 21, 2006 Page 29 &=
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; GENERAL FUND - TOWN CLERK &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; AMOUNT: =
$1,441 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; NO=
: 1 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; FROM: &=
nbsp; 010-50120-002-0043 &=
nbsp; Minutes
Secretary &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; TO: &=
nbsp; 010-50331-009-0000 &=
nbsp; Photographic
Services &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; REASON: &=
nbsp; More
processing of documents than budgeted for. =
; &n=
bsp; GENERAL
FUND - PUBLIC BUILDINGS &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; AMOUNT: =
$2,137 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; NO=
: 2 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; FROM: &=
nbsp; 010-50149-020-0000 &=
nbsp; Other
Compensation &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; TO: &=
nbsp; 010-50325-014-0000 &=
nbsp; Utilities
- Fuel Oil & Gas &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; REASON: &=
nbsp; Increase
in cost. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; AMOUNT: =
$1,299 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; NO=
: 3 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; FROM: &=
nbsp; 010-50410-014-0000 &=
nbsp; Building
Maintenance Supplies &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; TO: &=
nbsp; 010-50326-014-0000 &=
nbsp; Telephone &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; REASON: &=
nbsp; Additional
funds required. &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; AMOUNT: =
$22,193 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; NO: 4 &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; FROM: &=
nbsp; $15,417 010-50149-020-0000 Highway Personnel &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; FROM: &=
nbsp; $ 6,776<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50323-014-0000 &= nbsp; Utilities - Electric
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Increase in cost.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - MISCELLANEOUS & NO=
N TOWN
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $1,088 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO= : 5
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50125-036-0000 &= nbsp; Temporary Salaries
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50720-043-1596 &= nbsp; DEP Environmental Review Fee
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $5,369 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO= : 6
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50125-036-0000 &= nbsp; Temporary Salaries
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50720-043-2035 &= nbsp; Building Inspection Fee Remit
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $47,392 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 7
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $ 4,889<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> 010-50690-046-0000 Contingency
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $42,503 010-50419-032-0000 Sand and Salt
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50480-040-0206 &= nbsp; Fuel Inventory
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Increase in cost.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 30
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $2,707 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO= : 8
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $2,674 010-50401-040-0000 Office Supplies
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $ 33 010-50405-040-0000 Reference Material
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50336-040-0000 &= nbsp; Advertising
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $4,279 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO= : 9
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50242-042-0000 &= nbsp; Unemployment Compensation
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50232-042-0000 &= nbsp; Life Insurance
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - SOLID WASTE
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $1,170 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 10
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50420-031-0000 &= nbsp; Sand and Gravel
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50360-033-1561 &= nbsp; Solid Waste CRRA Fees
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $7,865 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 11
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50420-031-0000 &= nbsp; Sand and Gravel
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50360-033-0000 &= nbsp; Solid Waste CRRA Fees
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; GENERAL FUND - PUBLIC WORKS SNOW
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $1,441 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 12
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; 010-50415-032-0000 &= nbsp; Equipment & Parts
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 010-50360-032-0000 &= nbsp; Overtime
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Additional funds required.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; AMOUNT: = $1,800 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; NO: 13
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; FROM: &=
nbsp; $ 800
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; FROM: &= nbsp; $1,000 074-50415-123-0000 Equipment Parts
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; TO: &= nbsp; 074-50480-123-0000 &= nbsp; Fuel Gasoline
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; REASON: &= nbsp; Increase in cost.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Dated at
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
&= 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
August 21, 2006
Page 31
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. = Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the Resolution authorizing the Transfer of Funds.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: Mr. Pawlak: I added up the transfers, they're = about $100,200 roughly. Of that amo= unt, this is closing out the books of 05/06, is it $73,000 did I say Frank, was = for energy related items, gas, metro gas, diesel, fuel? It just kills me. What's going to happen come Decemb= er, January, February, so I hope we see a reversal in price trends.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; R. = Consider Resolution Authorizing Tax Refunds
R E S O L U T I O N
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, Taxpayers have made application for the Property Tax Refunds in accordance = with Section 12-129, Refund of Excess Payment; and
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; WHEREAS, the Tax Collector recommends that the Refunds be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-129;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council approves the following Tax Refunds:
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 1896
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor; Acc= ount Deleted
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2091 LSI Tax Service Refund Department &nb= sp; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $1,791.98
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Duplicate Payment=
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2124 Botticello Brothers A.<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $689.61
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; 321 Olcott Street = &nb= sp; = Type: R<= /p>
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Ass= essed Value Decreased
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; 2126
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; 182
Grand Street, Suite 417 =
Type:
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Board of Asse= ssment Appeals, Assessed Value Decreased
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 32
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2128 Foltz, Robert R. &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $55.72
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Acc= ount Prorated
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2139 Botticello Brothers A.<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $777.13
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; 321 Olcott Street = &nb= sp; = Type: R<= /p>
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Ass= essed Value Decreased
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2140 Botticello Brothers A.<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $727.05
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; 321 Olcott Street = &nb= sp; = Type: R<= /p>
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Ass= essed Value Decreased
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2143 DCFS Trust &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $179.49
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Acc= ount Prorated
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2144 Honda Lease Trust &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $30.23
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; 600 Kelly Way &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Type: M
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Acc= ount Prorated
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; 2145 Belica, Sherif &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $121.96
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Acc= ount Deleted
=
; &n=
bsp; TOTAL
FOR ALL REFUNDS &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; $10,006.30
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Dated at
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Pawlak, Chairman
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. = Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to approve the Resolution authorizing Tax Refunds.
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Discussion: Mr. Mancini: Question regarding
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 33
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: They appealed their assessment to t= he Board of Assessment Appeals and they reduced it.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Mancini: What was it when they bought it?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: Back in the Grand List of 10/-1/03, through revaluation, the valuation came in valued at $2,077,600, that's mar= ket value, that's the value the Town (inaudible).
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Mancini: And we sold it for 4 something?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: $410,000.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: What's the current evaluation, or assessment, Frank?
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: $388,000.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak: And this $5,400 or whatever it is, = what was . . . .
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Nardelli: It was done at the Board of Assessm= ent Appeals, assessed reduction in value.
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Guerrera, Mr. Kane, Mr. Pawlak, Ms. Plowman, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Walton
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Opposed: = Mr. Mancini
<= o:p>
<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Abstained: None
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (8-1-0)
12.&n=
bsp; Public
Participation
Sean Williams,
=
; Mr.
Williams: The folks here =
who
spoke earlier I think covered a lot of ground on the general issue of the
$600,000 grant that we have still outstanding from the State of
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 34
One thing I just want to point out is during the past 2 years we've all had some formal and informal discussions on how this grant money should be spent, whether it was here at a Council meeting or at the coffee shop around Town,= or on the phone when a constituent called us, certainly in my discussions with many of you and the School Board members there seems to b a general consens= us that whatever project we do can't go over $600,000, which would require us = to go out to the voters for further approval and there just doesn't seem to be= a great interest in doing that.
Ms. Adams: (Inaudible.).
Mr. Williams: So there certainly doesn't seem to=
be a
great interest in doing that. Several
projects I've heard kicked around, one was installing some fields adjacent =
to
the high school and near the tennis courts and adjacent to the Unico Field =
and
we got a quote, I guess from Kaestle Boos Associates that showed us well ov=
er
$600,000 to do that. We've
discussed via Park & Rec the property adjacent to Crestbrook, the Santa
Maria property; I understand through the grapevine that the cost of that
property is substantially more than the $600,000 grant that we have, the
Rickivicius property, etc., etc., etc.&nbs=
p;
We've had a lot of proposals that just don't seem to fit within the
$600,000 grant that we have, so it seems to me that the last proposal that =
we
had was the field turf project at the Mills Complex that everybody has talk=
ed
about. The more I listen to t=
hese
folks talk about this, the more it makes sense. I think it's worth investigating.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> I would ask you to keep your minds=
open
and to consider the facts that they presented. I'm not saying that it's necessari=
ly the
best thing we can do, but right now it seems to me that it's the only thing
that fits under the $600,000 grant that we have. I applaud you for asking the School
Board tonight whether they would accept this gift that you're going to give=
to
them. There's an old Seinfeld
episode about giving a gift away that they had gotten, they called it
re-gifting, so I guess we could call this re-gifting, to accept this gift t=
hat
we're going to give to them, so I encourage you and I will speak to the Sch=
ool
Board also to at least keep your mind open on this project. I've talked to a lot of people from
surrounding towns,
=
; Mr.
Kane: Considering that yo=
u're
coming from
Mr. Williams: What do you mean?
Mr. Kane: Meaning the money we had already s= pent on the complex would now go to waste.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 35
Ms. Adams: Grant money was used already.
= ; Mr. Williams: That's a great point. I mean I don't think a= nybody has a hard and fast number right now as to how much of that money was specifically spent on the field. I think someone brought up earlier that we know that we spent $868,000 on the Mills Complex, but I don’t think any of us know how much was specific= ally spent on the field part itself. It's been my understanding, we have a representative here tonight from Field Turf who I guess could answer this question, I'm not sure if he can, but it's my understanding is through the grapevine that we would have had to install a = new drainage system anyway, if we were going to do turf which was part of the project a few years ago. It's= also my understanding that the sod or the grass there now on the Mills Complex r= ight now could be resold, so somebody would have to sit down with a calculator to figure out how much we spent specifically on the field, how much we can sell the sod for and how much we would have already had to spend on the drainage part of the project in order to make this work. So I guess to answer the question,= I don't know, cause I don't know how much that was= .
Mr. Pawlak: Since this is State money, we know =
that
with respect to Veteran's Field, we have a limited capability of restricting
the use, in other words it's not just for the Town of
Mr. Williams: That's a great question. My initial reaction would be no, b=
ut
I'll find out, and the reason I say no is that there are other communities,=
as
we know, like Pomperaug, Wolcott,
Mr. Pawlak: Did they do their field with grant = money?
Mr. Williams: No.
= ; Ms. Adams: (Inaudible) part o= f it was grant money (inaudible).
= ; Mr. Pawlak: But were talking = about a totally different thing.
Mr. Nardelli: That's right (inaudible).
Mr. Williams: Think about that, we're charging g=
ate
right now at
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 36
Mr. Pawlak: I'm more concerned, not so much wi= th the High School's use of the field, but the other organizations within Town.
Mr. Williams: We have to find out, Franklin shou= ld maybe find out the answer to that question, because I know that in the past there's been questions about Town owned facilities, for example the situati= on down in Greenwich where they had the (Tape #2, Side A ended - may have miss= ed some).
Mr. Pawlak: (Inaudible.)
=
; Gary
Stewart,
= ; Mr. Stewart: On the issue of = the turf, it seems like this issue about the $800,000 keeps coming up, and I wo= uld submit that's sort of like the half empty glass versus the half full glass.= I know that at my house, and I'm sure that at most of the Council's homes, if they are to take a project and later decide, at whatever cost, I mean let's= be reasonable, you take a project to redecorate their living room or buy new furniture and a few years later it has fallen out of favor and is no longer their taste, do you people say to yourselves well I spent $7,000, I can't possibly change what I've done? We don't do that. So I don't see= why it's any different here with the $800,000.= I think it's a lot of ado about nothing. I don't think that should enter int= o the consideration in any way.
Susan Chowaniec,
Ms. Chowaniec: I want to talk about the turf a li= ttle bit, but I'm not a money person I'm going to talk (inaudible). My kids have been in many sports, = they like football, they play lacrosse and I know they really wanted the field in the beginning. I wasn't going= to talk about the field, but I need to do this. The kids in the beginning when they heard we might get a field they were real excited, it's kind of like when you're feeling down and you have a down day, and somebody offers you a nice piece of chocolate, they wanted a nice piece of chocolate, cheers you up or gives you a flower or something, for a guy they get tickets to a football g= ame, but whatever it is, for the kids, that's kind of how they reacted when they heard they might be getting a field, and although they appreciate the new f= ield that they have, I think they were a little disappointed when they didn't get the turf, so I think this would really rejuvenate them. That's what it's all about. It's all about the kids and the future. And when they're at t= he field and we can have more games because we have turf, well then they're not out on the streets causing trouble and it brings more of the community toge= ther, families get together and they go to the games together, and maybe we can h= ave football one night and soccer on the other night, and then the football kids can go watch the soccer kids play because right now they both play at the s= ame time, Friday nights, so I'm just looking at it more from the kid's standpoi= nt and more from the community's standpoint, I think this field would be a goo= d choice. Thank you.
Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 9:50 p.m.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 37
12. &n=
bsp; Executive
Session
A. Disposition of Town Owned Land
&= nbsp; B. = Land Acquisition
&=
nbsp; C. Stewart,
V. versus Town of
&=
nbsp; D. Zappone,
P versus Town of
&=
nbsp; E. =
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION: (Mr. Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Guerrera) to enter into Executive Session at 9:50 p.m. wi= th the 9 members of the Town Council, Frank Nardelli, Joseph Summa, and Frankl= in Pilicy to discuss Disposition of Town Owned Land, Land Acquisition, Stewart, V. versus Town of Watertown, Zappone,= P versus Town of Watertown, and John Trumbull Primary School Litigation.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Present During Executive Session:
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Elaine Adams
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Antonio Guerrera
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Robert Kane
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Carl Mancini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Pawlak
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Suzan Plowman
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Raymond Primini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Paul Rinaldi
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Jack Walton
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Frank Nardelli
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Franklin Pilicy
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Summa
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Joseph Summa left the Executive Session at 10:15 p.m.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Mr. Pawlak, Chairman, Reconvened the Regular Meeting at 10:35 p.m.
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; No Motions Were Made; No Votes Were Taken.
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2006
Page 38
MOTION: (Mr.
Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to amend the Agenda to Add Item 12F, Consent to
Settle Patricia Zappone versus the Town of
&= nbsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
&=
nbsp; F. =
Consent
to Settle Patricia Zappone versus the Town of
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; MOTION: (Mr.
Rinaldi, sec. Mr. Walton) to settle Patricia Zappone versus the Town of
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Discussion: None<= /p>
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
13.&n=
bsp; Adjournment
= ; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Mr. Mancini) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at 10:37 p.m.
<=
/span>Discussion: None<=
/p>
<=
/span>MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY <=
/span>Regular
Meeting Adjourned at 10:37 p.m. Respectfully
submitted, Joseph
Pawlak, Chairman Approved: _______________________________ Lynn M. LaF=
orme,
Clerk