MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2004, 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: = &nb= sp; Elaine Adams
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Lee Archer
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Karl Fisher
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Raymond Hebert, Jr., Vice Chairman (arrived at 7:33 p.m.)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Robert Kane, Chairman
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Raymond Primini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Paul Rinaldi
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Paul Valenti
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Richard Wick
ABSENT: &nb=
sp; =
None
OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas
Kaelin, Attorney
=
; &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp; Frank
Nardelli, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Meredith
Robson, Town Manager
1.&nb= sp; Call Meeting To Order
Mr. = Kane, 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. Kane, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 2
4.&nb=
sp; Public
Participation
&=
nbsp; Dave
LeBlanc,
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: Numerous taxpaye= rs are concerned about the lack of credibility within your leadership, specificall= y an article that was in the Waterbury Republican. It comes from the August 16, 2004 = meeting about a donation of a Town owned bus to a local drum corps. The bus is not the issue, the organization is not the issue, and probably well deserving of this. But the concealment of the facts i= s the issue. Some of the quotes fro= m that meeting, your quotes, Mr. Kane, "this may end up in Brass Tacks, I thi= nk next Monday", which it did; "we just want to follow the procedures and do everything correctly"; and "we're trying to do what we can= for you, but I just want to make sure we do it appropriately". That's the key word, appropriately= . The article that was in the paper,= the last sentence of the article, through the Chair to Mr. Hebert, states that = Mr. Hebert is a relative of the co-directors of that drum corps. Is that correct Mr. Hebert? Through the Chair.
= ; Mr. Kane: You can make commen= ts . . . .
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: I said through the Chair, play the= tape back. Through the Chair to Mr. Hebert. You can play the tape= back.
= ; Mr. Kane: Well does that have= any bearing on anything?
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: Absolutely. Is the answer yes or no? I confirmed it with the paper, so = do you want me to just (inaudible)?
= ; Mr. Kane: Go ahead, continue = on.
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: So then it was? How could you allow your Vice Chai= rman to be nominated to that drum corps to donate Town owned property, taxpayers= own that bus, when it's a direct conflict of interest? #2, what members of this Council k= new at or prior to that meeting that that conflict existed? And I'd also like to know did the = Town Manager know at or prior to that meeting that this direct conflict existed? Yes or no? Yes or no?
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: All set?
= ; Mr. LeBlanc: Yes.
= ; Mr. Kane: Okay, #1, from your comments I'd assume you'd rather we not make a donation to a charitable org= anization such as the Watertown/Oakville Drum Corps . . . .
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 3
= ; Mr. LeBlanc: You're skating t= he issue. The issue is this a di= rect conflict of interest. Mr. Heb= ert should of at the very least recused himself.
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: Let me just say this. What we did is in order to make a donation, first of all the bus . . . .
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: I'd like to know who from the Council knew . . . .
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: Could I . . . .
= ; Mr. LeBlanc: No, it's my 5 mi= nutes.
= ; Mr. Kane: No, it's mine, Mr. LeBlanc. This is my meeting.<= /p>
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: At or before this meeting, who knew? At or before this meeti= ng.
= ; Mr. Kane: Let me just finish, otherwise I'll excuse you, okay? What we did was donate an old bus to the Watertown/Oakville Drum Corps. And part of the Charte= r says that as long as we have a member of our Council on their Board, we can do s= uch things, so Ray happened to be the one to step up to the plate and say I'll = do it. It doesn't matter if it's= Ray, myself, Karl Fisher, or whoever, that is just the way to put a person on th= eir Board so we can make a donation to a charitable organization. So there's no conflict here Mr. Le= Blanc, there's no Watergate, it's only a bus (inaudible).
= ; Mr. LeBlanc: (Inaudible) that= the paper printed out that Ray is a relative of the co-directors of that drum corps. (Inaudible).
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: (Inaudible).
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: The taxpayers have a right to full disclosure. You, Mr. Hebert, = should have disclosed that prior to the meeting to the taxpayers. You should have recused yourself.<= /p>
= ; Mr. Kane: Mr. LeBlanc, this is ridiculous.
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: The taxpayers want and demand = an answer.
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: I haven't heard any taxpayers complaining about the bus.
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: They're coming to me (inaudible) a= nd demanding answers to that question.
&= nbsp; Mr. Hebert: I'm going to respond to Mr. Le= Blanc, even though it's not necessary.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 4
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: Can I respond back?
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: No. You're no longer being recognized.
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: You might be able to silence me he= re, but you won't silence my pen, Mr. Kane.
= ; Mr. Kane: If you speak again = I'll ask you to leave.
= ; Mr. Hebert: I'm going to resp= ond to the comments, okay. At that m= eeting a person off the Council was asked to volunteer to be assigned to the Board. I volunteered because = nobody else on the Council did, so yes, I am related, and I don't see where it's a problem. I'm not getting any monetary compensation for being a member of the drum corps board. I did it to help a process, and if people have the opinion that there's a double standard or a conflict of interest, so be it, I don't believe there is. No monies on my part, it didn't be= nefit me at all. I did it because n= obody else was volunteering so I stepped up and volunteered. If people have a problem with that= then they can call me.
&=
nbsp; Robert
LeBlanc,
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: The question I h= ave is concerning at the last Town Council meeting I requested the results of an arbitration meeting that was held at the Town Hall Annex, and I was informe= d by the Town Manager that I could pick that information up any time I wanted at= the Town Hall Annex. I proceeded = to go down to the Town Hall Annex and was told by Lisa, the Manager's Secretary t= hat there was no results as of now, and I guess she called Atty. Summa and they couldn't seem to find it. I w= ould like to know what the results of that particular arbitration hearing? It's the second arbitration hearin= g, after the Labor Board Hearing concerning $47,000 payback to a policeman.
= ; Ms. Robson: I’m still n= ot quite sure what arbitration you're referring to. I thought the meeting you were ref= erring to was the actual arbitration hearing that was held. That you can certainly get a copy = of that decision. I'm still not = quite sure what arbitration meeting you're talking about, in addition to that, if that’s the case.
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: All right, let me explain. Can I explain it?
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: Sure.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 5
&=
nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: There was a Labor Board Hearing he=
ld in
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane: Well the results of the hearin= g is public record, correct?
&= nbsp; Ms. Robson: It's not clear, I'll have to l= ook into what he's talking about. It's still not clear.
= ; Mr. Kane: You're looking for = the result of the hearing?
&= nbsp; Mr. LeBlanc: The arbitration hearing. I went to the Town Hall, and Lisa = looked it up, but she called Atty. Summa who was representing the Town and he said= he didn't have it at this time, or it wasn't available, or something, and that= 's what I would like to have. Th= ank you.
&= nbsp; Mr. Kane, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 7:40 p.m.
5.&nb=
sp; Minutes
&= nbsp; A. Regular Meeting Minutes – September 20, 2004
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Mr. Wick) to Accept the Regular Meeting Minutes dated September 20, 20= 04 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Vale= nti, Mr. Wick
= ; &n= bsp; Opposed: = None
= ; &n= bsp; Abstained: Mr. Archer (due to absence)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (8-0-1)
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 6
&=
nbsp; B. =
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Mr. Wick) to Accept the Special Town Meeting Minutes dated September 2= 0, 2004 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Kane, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti, Mr. Wick
= ; &n= bsp; Opposed: = None
= ; &n= bsp; Abstained: Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Primini (due to absence)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (6-0-3)
&=
nbsp; C.
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Mr. Wick) to Accept the Special Town Meeting Minutes dated September 2= 0, 2004 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Kane, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Wick
= ; &n= bsp; Opposed: = None
= ; &n= bsp; Abstained: Mr. Archer, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Primini, Mr. Valenti (due to absence)
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (5-0-4)
&= nbsp; D. Special Joint Meeting Minutes – September 20, 2004
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Ms. = Adams, sec. Mr. Wick) to Accept the Special Joint Meeting Minutes dated September = 20, 2004 as presented.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Valenti, Mr. Wick=
= ; &n= bsp; Opposed: = None
= ; &n= bsp; Abstained: Mr. Archer, Mr. Primini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MOTION CARRIED (7-0-2)
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 7
6.&nb=
sp; Sub-Committee
Reports
A. &nbs= p; Public Works Subcommittee
&nb=
sp; Ms.
Adams: Our next meeting w=
ill be
a week from tomorrow, 7:00, at the Town Hall Annex, and also on the Agenda
tonight we have the approval of HRP Associates for professional services re=
garding
the realignment of
7.&nb= sp; Chairman’s Report
= ; A. Correspondence
= ; &n= bsp; 1. = Resignation Letter from William Clock, Commission on Aging, dated 9/27/04 (Term Expires 1/06).
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Mr. Kane read aloud the following letter:
= ; &n= bsp; = ; "September 25, 2004
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Ms. Coreine Peluso
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Chairman
=
; &n=
bsp; =
;
= ; &n= bsp; = ; This is to notify you that I am resigning my position on the Commission on Aging effective this date. I find t= hat due to health issues of my own, as well as my wife, that I'm not able to at= tend meetings on a regular basis."
&nb= sp; = M= r. Rinaldi: We should vote on this, we should make a motion to accept a letter of resignation. We always = did in the past.
&nb= sp; = M= s. Adams: No. It goes to the Town Clerk.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Mr. Rinaldi: In all the years= I've been here, we've always made a motion to accept a letter of resignation.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Mr. Kane: No, I don’t think we ever have. I don’t think we = need to approve someone's resignation.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Ms. Adams: We do it for our employees.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; Mr. Kane: Well we thank Mr. C= lock for his participation on the Commission on Aging.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 8
= ; B. = GFOA Certificate of Excellence Award
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Kane: I'll just read it rather quickly:<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> This is from the Government Finance Officer's Association:
=
; &n=
bsp; "Certificate
of Achievement for Excellent in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the
Town of
= ; = ; Mr. Kane: Frank, congratulati= ons again.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Nardelli: Thank you, I appreciate it.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Kane: Thank you. It seems like we do this every yea= r.
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Adams: How many has it been?
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Nardelli: 11 now.
8.&nb=
sp; Action
Items
= ; A. Consider Appointments to Boards and Commissions
= ; &n= bsp; None
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 9
= ; B. = Consider Tax Refunds
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Taxpayers have made application for the property Tax Refunds in accordance = with Section 12-129 Refund of Excess Payment; and
WHEREAS, the Tax Collector recommends that the Refunds be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-129;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council approves the following Tax Refunds:
&= nbsp;
1729 First American Tax 2
Reason for Refund: Duplicate Payment
1730 Countrywide Tax Service= &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $319.00
Reason for Refund: Duplicate Payment
1731 First American Tax 3
Reason for Refund: Duplicate Payment
1733 Vonwerder, Jeffrey &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $1,733.64
775 Woodbury Road = &nb= sp; Type: R
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
1734 Vonwerder, Jeffrey &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $1,922.92
775 Woodbury Road = &nb= sp; Type: R
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
1735 Vonwerder, Jeffrey &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $1,575.19
775 Woodbury Road = &nb= sp; Type: R
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 10
1741 Vonwerder, Jeffrey &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Amount of Refund: &nb= sp; $ 268.16
775 Woodbury Road = &nb= sp; Type: R
Reason for Refund: Per Assessor, Account Deleted
Total for All Refunds &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; $6,900.44
&=
nbsp; Dated
at
_________________________
Robert Kane, Chairman
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION: (Mr. = Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to approve the Resolution authorizing Tax Refunds.
= ; &n= bsp; Discussion: None<= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: &nbs=
p; (Mr.
Hebert, sec. Mr. Archer) to Add Agenda Item 9I, Discussion ad Possible Acti=
on
on a Bid Waiver for a Radio Repeater System for the
Discussion: = None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Archer) to Add Agenda Item 9J, Discussion and Possible Act= ion on an Appropriation for the Radio Repeater System.
Discussion: = None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION: &nbs= p; (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to Add Agenda Item 9K, Discussion and Possible Acti= on on an Appropriation for the Water Supply Plan Modifications and Drafting of= the Emergency Response Plan.
Discussion: = None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 11
9. &nb=
sp; Discussion
And Possible Action Items
A. Discussion and Possible Action on Authoriz= ation of Refunding of 1995 Bonds, 1998 Bonds, 1999 Bonds, 2003 Bonds, and 2004 Bo= nds
= M= OTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to approve the Resolution authorizing the Refunding= of the 1995 Bonds, 1998 Bonds, 1999 Bonds, 2003 Bonds, and 2004 Bonds.
= D= iscussion: Mr. Nardelli: We’ve been in contact with o= ur financial advisers, Webster Bank, and the bond rates are low again, so we're hoping to time the market and we can go in and call on the bonds and refinance them a= nd obviously save the Town a lot of money, kind of like refinancing the mortga= ge on your house. I know we trie= d this in the past, but it takes about a month or so to hit the market, and the ra= tes rose the last time on us, so we want to try and do this again for cost savi= ngs so that the Town could be (inaudible) if the time is right. By approving this we start the ball rolling.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Kane: It will take about a month or so f= or the process to (Inaudible)?
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Nardelli: Yes, we were also going to borrow = some more bonds for Swift, so we'll probably incorporate the Swift bonding in wi= th this so we'll have some costs, but we can associate that with the Swift pro= ject cause we need more money for the Swift project obviously so we're going to combine that with the refinancing and hopefully hit the market at the right time.
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: Let me just clarify, it's not addi= tional money for Swift, it's money that has already been approved that we're just bonding.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
B. = Discussion and Possible Action on Senior T= ax Relief
= Ms. Robson: Carolyn and I have gone back and fo= rth over the course of the last year or so in discussions about what types of elderly tax relief programs are available, how we might structure it, what the pros= and cons are, all the issues surrounding that, and I've asked Carolyn to be here tonight to, probably it's best that she outline what the opportunities are, what some of the pros and cons are, just so you can start thinking. I wouldn't expect that you would b= e able to make a decision this evening, but just so we start the dialogue and you = can see what opportunities there are and what some of the questions and issues might be.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 12
= Mr. Kane: We've been talking about this and = hope we could implement some kind of policy.
=
Carolyn Nadeau, Tax Assessor, Town=
of
=
Ms. Nadeau: Basically I think about 3 years ag=
o the
State of
= T= he first thing that the Town has to do, and I think it's mandated by the Statu= tes, is that you have to appoint a Study Committee so that the Town Council isn't the one that actually comes up with the plan itself, but it's sort of a subcommittee that's appointed. Meredith, you were going to find out whether the executive authority would be you or the Town Council.
= Ms. Robson: Yea. There's an issue, most of the town= s, I think, that Carolyn has taken a look at don't have this form of government,= so if you decide that this is something you'd like to pursue, then we'll just = need to get clarification from the Town Attorney regarding who the executive authority is that appoints the committee, whether it be you or the Town Manager. That isn't something= we need to deal with today, but just so you know that is an issue.
= Ms. Nadeau: And that's the first step that you= have to take because there are just any number of options, and obviously the fir= st and most important thing that the Town needs to consider is the overall cost that the Town would incur in giving back money to the elderly population, a= nd it's not, it can be just a flat rate amount, if you want to just give every= 65 or over homeowner a flat rate, that would be one way to approach it, and it= can get as complicated as tying the benefit itself to the increases in the budg= et and all kinds of complicated processes like that. But the one that seems to be the m= ost common, the one that people tend to follow the most, only because it's the easiest, is just a circuit breaker match program.
= Mr. Kane: And we don’t have any form o= f that in place right now? We do?
= Ms. Robson: We have, yea (inaudible).
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 13
=
Ms. Nadeau: The State of
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: And the program t= hat the State has in place we're reimbursed for those funds. Anything that we do above and beyo= nd that would be at the Town's cost.
=
; &n=
bsp; Ms.
Nadeau: And again the big=
gest problem
that I've found with the program that's offered by the State is the upper
income limitation. It does pr=
eclude
a lot of taxpayers. It goes u=
p, I
think it's $36,000, what did I say here, $32,000 for a married couple and so
many of the elderly people that come in they'll be $36,000, another is $45,=
000,
just over the margin, and we have to say we're sorry, there's nothing we can
do, because we're tied completely to that schedule with the State of
Connecticut, we can't go away from that.&n=
bsp;
If the Town were to adopt a program of its own you could make the up=
per
limit whatever you want. I th=
ink
Southbury originally went to $50,000 and I think they've increased it again,
but they've got a relatively affluent population in Southbury so $50,000 is=
not
that much of an income.
= Mr. Kane: I believe Mr. Archer, when he was Chairman, we had a public hearing on this very subject.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Archer: We did.
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Adams: I was just thinking could it possibly be incorporated with (inaudible)?
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: I think the Study Circles would be a little too broad. This is a very specific item and there are statutory language regard= ing how it happens. It may come u= p in the Study Circles as an issue to look at, but the actual format for looking= at this particular program or any program that you choose, is statutory in ter= ms of how it's done, not what comes out of it.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Archer: You said that the= State plan we're reimbursed for or reimbursed (inaudible)?
=
; &n=
bsp; Ms.
Nadeau: Yea, as it stands=
right
now, we're currently reimbursed 100% for every dollar that we reduce taxes =
by,
the State of
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 14
= ; Mr. Archer: So hypothetically= if we were to add or something above and beyond that program, is the part that we= 're currently being refunded from the State for, still be eligible for that?
= Ms. Nadeau: Yes, that program exists no ma= tter what and we get the money no matter what.
= Mr. Archer: So if you have your own progra= m and your own system, it doesn't preclude the other one?
= Ms. Nadeau: No, one does not, no, it's jus= t an additional bonus, or an additional benefit. That's a matching of actual cash reduction. The other way that= you can offer benefits to the senor citizens is what they call a deferral progr= am, and it's kind of like a reverse mortgage.&= nbsp; You abate their taxes for a certain amount now and it's paid back on= ce the person either sells the property or transfers it to their estate or whatever happens. Typically t= hese kinds of programs they offer a better benefit to the homeowner, as opposed = to a $250 or $300 benefit cash reduction at the time, $500 or $750 deferment and sometimes it's more attractive and ultimately there's no expense to the Tow= n. The Town has to wait a little bit = of time for the money to come back but eventually it does come back. It's kind of a situation where you= have Plan A and Plan B, and the elderly people can choose whichever one they wan= t.
= Mr. Kane: This is something that would be on= their residential property only?
= Ms. Nadeau: Residential property only. No vehicles, no income property, i= t has to be their primary residence, and all of the language in the statutes that pertains to the elderly circuit breaker is good, I mean that language seems= to work. Although there are town= s that have made that language a little bit stiffer, it has to be their residence 9 months of the year, so it kind of eliminates the people who go to Florida f= or 6 months and come back to Connecticut for 6 months, and a few other things li= ke that, had to have lived in the property for a certain number of times.
= ; &n= bsp; Mr. Kane: Do you get a lot of questions about this in your office from people? Maybe they're not even aware of it= .
=
Ms. Nadeau: A lot of times people aren't even =
aware
of it. Now that Southbury is
reworking theirs and Woodbury is doing theirs, all of those articles are in=
the
local paper so people are looking for it.&=
nbsp;
But typically what happens is people say I don’t qualify for t=
he
circuit breaker so I wouldn't qualify for anything like that, they don't ev=
en
ask the question. The only ot=
her
additional benefit that
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 15
= Mr. Kane: Does anyone else have any questions? I think it's an important issue and something that we should address and look at because we should do something for the elderly homeowners in our Town, so if the next = step is to find out how we set that in place, whether it's yourself or myself li= ke you said, then let's do that.
= Ms. Adams: Do we need a motion on that?
= Mr. Kane: No, at this point we just want to = find out how the functionality of it will be, take place, and the implementation will be something else, and that's something we'll have to have a motion on, but at least let's move forward.
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Nadeau: Yea, the first th= ing you have to do is form the Study Committee, and once you do that, I don't k= now if it's up the executive authority at that point to come in and . . . .
= Mr. Kane: And you would be a part of that Study Committee, right?
= Ms. Nadeau: I could be. I don't know that I necessarily ha= ve to be, but I certainly could be.
= Ms. Robson: She could probably be stamped = to it, you know to assist.
= Ms. Nadeau: There's no requirement that I = be there, but I'm certainly more than happy to help out.
= Mr. Kane: Thank you.
= ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: Thanks, Carolyn.<= /p>
C. Discussion and Possible Action on the Establishment of a Board of Education Account for Parking Fees
= M= OTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Archer) to Approve the Establishment of a Board of Educati= on Account for Parking Fees as outlined in a memorandum to the Town Manager fr= om Dr. Pelosi, dated October 1 2004, however, adding that those responsible for the account shall be the Watertown Board of Education and the Superintenden= t of Schools to have custodial responsibilities for this account.
= D= iscussion: Mr. Rinaldi: Question to Frank, do you have any problem with this? Are you ok= ay with this?
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 16
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Nardelli: From an account= ing standpoint, yes, we, the Board of Ed had contacted me on this and I talked to the audit= ors and they said the Town Council is the fiscal authority and they're the ones that would have to . . . .
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Rinaldi: But it's not a p= roblem for you accounting-wise or anything else, right?
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Nardelli: No, the Board of Ed is going t= o have the responsibility for the transactions and what not, but a separate fund w= ould be set up, it’s not part of the General Fund.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Kane: If anything it will= keep it separate.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
D. Discussion and Possible Action on Authoriz= ing the Town Manager to Enter into and Execute on Behalf of the Town of Waterto= wn an agreement with HRP Associates, Inc. for Professional Services regarding = the Realignment of North Street and Route 63
=
M=
OTION: (Mr.
Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into and exe=
cute
on behalf of the Town of
=
D=
iscussion: Ms. Adams: This was a company myself, Roy
Cavanaugh, and Chuck Berger interviewed (inaudible)
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 17
E. = Discussion and Possible Action on Authoriz= ing the Town Manager to Enter Into and Execute on Behalf of the Town of Waterto= wn an Agreement with Brooks Laboratories for Professional Services regarding Watertown Fire Department Co. #1 Expansion and Renovations for Asbestos Inspection, Lead Paint Inspection PBC and Mercury Inspection, Project Desig= ner for Hazardous Materials Abatement Work, and Project Monitoring
= M= OTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Archer) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into and execute on behalf of the Town of Watertown an Agreement with Brooks Laboratories for professional services regarding the Watertown Fire Departm= ent Co. #1 expansion and renovations for asbestos inspection, lead paint inspection, PBC and mercury inspection, project designer for hazardous materials abatement work, and project monitoring.
= D= iscussion: Mr. Kane: Are we running into a lot of this?=
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: Yea, as the projects progress they= 'll be separate contracts that we'll need to take care of various items.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
F. = Discussion and Possible Action on Authoriz= ing the Town Manager to Enter Into and Execute on Behalf of the Town of Waterto= wn an Agreement with H.B. Fishman & Company, Inc. for Professional Services regarding Roof Construction Review for John Trumbull Primary School
=
M=
OTION: (Mr. =
Hebert,
sec. Ms. Adams) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into and execute on
behalf of the Town of
= D= iscussion: Mr. Archer: Just as a clarification, this is n= ot hiring someone for roof construction; we're hiring someone to review the ro= of construction that was done?
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: Right. They're going to tell us what repa= irs need to be done regarding the school.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Wick: In Section 5 the compensation is estimated to be an amount not to exceed $40,000. Has this amount already been appro= ved or do we need to do a Town Meeting on it?
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 18
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: Well it will be, it's part of the = funds that we have set aside related to the litigation.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Wick: So that's already budgeted.
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: This wasn't the appropriation, thi= s is just for the contract, but I'll need to talk to Frank more about the actual appropriation.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Wick: But the question is whether it= needs a Town Meeting for approval?
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Nardelli: Do you plan on paying this out of = the bond proceeds?
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: Yea, almost $400 (inaudible).
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Nardelli: We would have to check with bo= nd counsel on that to make sure (inaudible) date and time would be expended to clarify it with bond counsel. They're planning on paying this out of the bond proceeds right?
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: Right.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Nardelli: We would have to check with bo= nd counsel to make sure that . . . .
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Wick: And if not we would= have to go to . . . . okay.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Nardelli: Yes.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Fisher: This might have a= lready been said, so I apologize if I'm repeating, but is this just to inspect the roof, or are there problems with the roof that we're going to get fixed?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: Well it's related= to the litigation, so I don't want to get into too many details, but it's to t= ell us what needs to be done to make the repairs that are required now.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Rinaldi: I'm confused. I understand there's litigation in= volved in this. How old is this scho= ol?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: It was built in 2= 002?
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 19
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Rinaldi: And we need work already on it or is this something that was (inaudible)?
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Archer: This was related to the original r= oof design that the architect did.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Hebert: (Inaudible).
= In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Adams, Mr. Archer, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Kane, Mr. Primini, Mr. Valen= ti, Mr. Wick
= O= pposed: = Mr. Rinaldi
= A= bstained: None
= M= OTION CARRIED (8-1-0)
G. Discussion and Possible Action on Authoriz= ing the Town Manager to Enter Into and Execute on Behalf of the Town of Waterto= wn an Agreement with Brooks laboratories for Professional Services regarding S= wift Middle School for Asbestos Inspector, asbestos Project Designer and Asbestos Project Monitoring
=
M=
OTION: (Mr. =
Hebert,
sec. Mr. Archer) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into and execute on
behalf of the Town of
=
D=
iscussion: Ms. Adams: I thought in the late 80's they we=
nt
through the whole school system and encapsulated asbestos and removed it.
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Valenti: Because this same company is listed in Item E above, was this bid at the same time to get the lowest price possible? Was th= is somehow reflected in an overall bid?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: I believe the Pub= lic Buildings Committee had investigated a number of different firms through the recommendation of Kaestle Boos.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 20
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Mr. Kane: And this particular= item will be covered in the Swift project, correct?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: Yes.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
H. Discussion and Possible Action on Authoriz= ing the Town Manager to Enter Into and Execute on Behalf of the Town of Waterto= wn an Agreement with Brooks Laboratories for Professional Services regarding S= wift Middle School for Phase I Site Assessment and Radon Testing
=
M=
OTION: (Mr.
Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to authorize the Town Manager to enter into and exe=
cute
on behalf of the Town of
= D= iscussion: None<= /p>
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
I. &= nbsp; Discussion and Possible Action on a Bid Wa= iver for a Radio Repeater System for the Watertown Police Department
= M= OTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to Approve the Resolution authorizing a Bid Waiver = for the Radio Repeater System at the Watertown Police Department.
= D= iscussion: Mr. Kane: You all have the resolution?
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Valenti: If this is just for the purchase o= f a part, or also installation and servicing?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: It's also install= ation.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 21
J. &= nbsp; Discussion and Possible Action on an Appropriation for the Radio Repeater System
= M= OTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to Approve the Resolution authorizing the Appropria= tion of $9,000 from the General Fund for the purpose of purchasing a new Motorol= a MTR Repeater System for the Watertown Police Department.
= D= iscussion: Mr. Kane: Now this is something we're going = to get reimbursed through the insurance, correct?
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Ms. Robson: We already did.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
K. Discussion and Possible Action on an Appropriation for the Water Supply Plan Modifications and Drafting of the Emergency Response Plan.
= M= OTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Mr. Archer) to Approve the Appropriation of $5,000 from the Wa= ter Capital Fund for the completion of the Water Supply Plan modifications and drafting of the Emergency Response Plan.
= D= iscussion: Mr. Valenti: Is this something new that's requi= red post 911?
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Kane: No. It's just something that's been going on that we need to get done.
= &nb= sp; = Mr. Valenti: Oh, this is the other thing we talked about several months ago.
= &nb= sp; = Ms. Robson: This is what we got the plan in an= d now the State responded with issues that they'd like to see addressed so these = are the modifications.
= M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
10. &n=
bsp; Public
Participation
Robert LeBlanc,
Mr. LeBlanc: On the Swift project who is go= ing to be the contract manager? Who = will oversee that job?
Mr. Kane: I think our Public Buildings Committee and yourself, correct?
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 22
Ms. Robson: Well that's the main umbrella.= They're still discussing the issue= of a contract manager. But right n= ow the oversight is with P.B.C., my office, the schools.
Mr. LeBlanc: The reason I bring it up is that w= e had paid $800,000 for a contract manager on the John Trumbull School and it did= n't seem to work and I was just wondering what kind of a deal they were going t= o do here.
Secondly= , as far as the firehouse is concerned, has the right of way been cleared on the property next door? They had = to give a right of way in the back of the Fire Department?
Mr. Kane: Can we discuss that?
Ms. Robson: Which?
Mr. LeBlanc: We're trying to acquire some prope= rty, 30, 40 feet.
Ms. Robson: On the right side?
Mr. LeBlanc: Right, where they're going to buil= d the building?
Mr. Kane: Oh, the CL&P property?
Mr. LeBlanc: No.
Ms. Robson: That's not finalized.
Mr. LeBlanc: It's not the CL&P property, I = think it's the Moskoluk property.
Ms. Robson: That's not finalized.
Mr. LeBlanc: Part of the deal is that they get a= right of way, and I was just wondering if they did and what's the hold up on it?<= /p>
Ms. Robson: It's not finalized yet.
Mr. LeBlanc: Thank you. You were talking about the tax rel= ief program. When I was on the Ordinance Committee we had 15 or 18 towns that we surveyed and we did the results of how they ran their tax relief programs, and when I was rejected = from the Town Council I turned all of that information over to somebody, I don’t remember who that was, but that information . . . .
Mr. Kane: On the Ordinance Committee you wor= ked on it?
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 23
Mr. LeBlanc: Yea, I think it was the Ordinance Committee, we worked on the tax relief program and we did a survey of about= 18 towns.
Mr. Kane: Are they in the minutes of Ordinan= ce Committee meetings?
Mr. LeBlanc: No. In the packet that was given out.&n= bsp; It's out there.
Mr. Kane: I would appreciate that.
Mr. LeBlanc: I don’t remember what it was=
. Secondly this $40,000 that you're =
paying
for the expert to look at that roof at the
Dave LeBlanc,
Mr. LeBlanc: I've asked this, this is probably = the third time. There are 2 board= s and commission meetings missing off the calendar on line; one is the Police Commission. Does anybody know= why that's missing off the calendar?
Mr. Kane: It's not on the calendar on li= ne?
Mr. LeBlanc: No; it's the third time I asked about it. The other is the Et= hics Commission. What night does t= he Ethics Commission meet?
Mr. Kane: We don't have an Ethics Commission= .
Mr. LeBlanc: We don’t? All right, that was my error then.= It would behoove you, Mr. Chairman= to treat all members of the public, boards, and commissions with equal amount = of respect and then you'll get the respect that you deserve. Thank you.
Mr. Kane: Thank you, Mr. LeBlanc.
Robert LeBlanc,
Mr. LeBlanc: Could you possibly say Robert LeBlanc and Dave LeBlanc, cause I get very confused when I go back and forth over here.
Mr. Kane: No, we cannot be confused.
Mr. Kane, Chairman, Closed Public Participation at 8:15 p.m.
Regular Meeting
October 4, 2004
Page 24
11.&n=
bsp; Anticipated
Executive Session
&=
nbsp; MOTION: (Mr.
Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to enter into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. for the
purposes of discussing pending litigation with the 9 members of the Town
Council, the Town Manager, the Assistant Town Manager, and Attorney Thomas
Kaelin.
&= nbsp; Discussion: None<= o:p>
&=
nbsp; MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Present = During Executive Session:
Elaine A= dams
Lee Arch= er
Karl Fis= her
Raymond = Hebert
Robert K= ane
Raymond = Primini
Paul Rin= aldi
Paul Val= enti
Richard = Wick
Thomas K= aelin
Frank Na= rdelli
Meredith= Robson
Mr. Kane, Chairman, Reconvened the Regu=
lar
Meeting at 8:50 p.m.
12.&n=
bsp; Adjournment
= ; MOTION: (Mr. Hebert, sec. Ms. Adams) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:51 p.m.
<=
/span>Discussion: None<=
/p>
<=
/span>MOTION
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Regular Meeting October 4, 2004 Page 25 <=
/span>Regular
Meeting Adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Respectfully
submitted, Robert
Kane, Chairman Approved: _______________________________ Lynn M. LaF=
orme,
Clerk