1 ofthetownofsouthington november26, 2012 and minutes...nov 26, 2012 · 1...
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MINUTESOFTHETOWNCOUNCILMEETINGOFTHETOWNOFSOUTHINGTON
November26, 2012
TheTownCounciloftheTownofSouthingtonheldaregularmeetingonMonday, November26, 2012. JohnC. Dobbins, Chairman, calledthemeetingtoorderat7:01o'clock, p.m.
ThefollowingCouncilpersonswerepresent, viz:
CherylLounsbury LouisMartocchioDawnA. Miceli AlbertA. Natelli, Jr. ChristopherJ. Palmieri JohnN. BarryStephanieA. Urillo PeterJ. Romano, Jr.
JohnC. Dobbins, Chairman
Ex-officiomemberspresentwereasfollows, viz:
MarkJ. Sciota, DeputyTownManager/TownAttorneyGarryBrumback, TownManager
AprayerwasrecitedbyDawnMiceli, Councilwoman.
ThePledgeofAllegiancewasrecitedbyeveryoneinattendancebeingledbyresidentHelenHenne.
Therewereapproximately25otherpersonsinattendance.
JOHNC. DOBBINS, Chairman, Presiding:
II. Minutes
Dr. Urillomadeamotiontoapproveassubmitted. Mr. Palmieriseconded. MotionpassedonamajorityvoicevotewithMr. Barryabstaining. Although, hedidreadtheMinutesandsawpartsofthevideo.
III. CouncilmanicCommunications
A. ResignationofSenorCitizenCommissionMember (Attach.1)
TheChairadvisedthisistheresignationofConnieProll. Ifyou’veknownConnieaslongasIhave, she’sbeeninvolvedinthetownforanumberofyears. ShewasontheSeniorCitizensCommissionforthreestints. ShewasalsoontheBoardofFinanceandPlanning & Zoning. Iwanttothankherforherservicetothetownandwe’reacceptingherresignation, aswell.
Dr. NatellinotedanemailsentbyJeremyLeVanwhodidtheexcavationfortheturffieldundertheauspicesofProGrass. Hejustsentthetownareallynicethankyouletterforallowinghimtodothisjob.
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Theshortsideofitis: hecouldn’tbelievethatwhenhecametotownhewastreatedlikeaking. Peoplewentoutoftheirwaytohelphimandhedidanamazingjoblayingdownthegroundworkforourfield. Doingtheexcavationthatneededtobedoneandsettingthebedupsotheturfcouldbeputon. Healsotookthetimetoexplainthings. Ifyouaskedhim, heandhiscrewdidagreatjob. Lastly, theysaidtheywillmakeareasontocomebackandvisitSouthington, again. And, ifweeverneedtheirhelponanything, don’thesitatetocallthem.
Notoftenyougetaletterfromaguywhoworkedforyouthatsaysthanksforlettingmeworkforyou. Ithoughtthatwashuge.
Alongthelinesoftheturffield, kudostoourfootballteamthatwent10and0andplaystomorrownightagainstGlastonburyinthequarterfinalsoftheStateDoubleLLChampionship. Wewishthemalotofluck. (Passedinletter - Attachment2)
Dr. UrillomentionedthereisgoingtobeaHospitalityNightsponsoredbythemerchantsofdowntownSouthingtonandit’sgoingto
thbeonFriday, December7 from5:30to8:30pmrightindowntown.
TherearealotofeventsincludingthelightingoftheTownGreen, merchantwalkcontest, horsedrawntrolleyrides, visitswithSanta, GirlScout carolsing, businessesintheareawillbeopenandhave openhousesandtheBarnesMuseumwillhaveanopenhouse. Everyoneisencouragedtoattend.
Mr. PalmieriadvisedhereceivedaninquiryfromaresidentandI’mwonderingifMr. Brumbackcanlookintoitandgetbacktous. It’sasfarasthelightsinthetownparks. PanthornPark, RecPark, MemorialPark, theremaybeareasonthelightsneedtobeonsecurity) tolightupthewholefieldwellbeyondthepublishedhour
theparkisclosedjustseemsalittleinefficient.
Mr. Brumbackwillreportback.
Ms. Micelireportedonthetemporaryicerink. Astheweatherhasbeencooler, it’stimetotalkaboutit. Wehavereceivedallofthenecessaryapprovalsfromthevariousboardsandcommissions. ItlooksasthoughwewillbemovingthetemporaryicerinktowaterdepartmentpropertyonMillStreet. Wewillbecentrallylocateddowntownandhopefullywecanhelpoutourretailers. Beingcentralwillbeadrawfortherinkandthemerchants, aswell. Thewaterdepartmenthasbeenfabulousinworkingwithusandthey’realsodonatingthewaterthatwillfillit. Wearelookingtoinstallthe
ndrinkthe2 weekofDecember. Siteworkpreparationisgoingontherenow. It’sexciting! Wedohopetohaveicetimeforfamiliesandperhapsforsomehockeyplaying, aswell. Thetwodoneedtobedesignatedwithspecialsignage. Hopefully, thisyearwewillgetmorethan2weeksoutoftherink.
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TheChairaddedhereceivedaletterfromtheGovernorandheaskedustospreadthewordconcerningsomenewveteranideas. Evidently, startinginJanuary, AAAandtheDMVwillbeofferingtoplaceanotationofanAmericanflagontheveteran’slicense. Thiswillnotethatwhentheygoinforservice, ifanemergencyorwhatever, firstresponderwillknowtheyareaveteranandtheycanlookuponthewebsiteandfindoutinformationabouttheveteranastowhatinsurancetheyhaveandwhat’savailable. I’llpassthisalongtoLeslieandhopefullywe’llbeabletolinkittothesiteandhaveinformationavailabletoourveterans. (Attachment3)
Nextissomethingdifferent. Wehaveacelebrityamongstusthisevening. OurownChristopherPalmieriisnowtheConnecticutMiddleSchoolAssistantPrincipaloftheyear. CongratulationstoChris.
Applause)
HewillberecognizedbytheBOEattheirmeetinginJanuary. Ithoughtitwasquiteworthwhiletoleteveryoneknow. Goodjob, Chris.
Mr. PalmieriofferedhisthanksacknowledgingthestaffatDePaolo. Really, we’repartofateamandweallworktogetherforthebestinterestofthekids. WehaveaphenomenaldistrictinSouthingtonandI’mproudtobeapartofit. It’ssomethingforthedistrictandmyschool, especially.
TheChairaddedweareallproudofChris, aswell.
Lastly, wehavetoaddtotheAgenda.
Mr. Palmierimadeamotiontoadd: AppointmentfortheBoardofAssessmentAppealstotheAgendaunderNewBusinessItemC. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoice.
IV. ReportofSpecialCommittees
A. AppleHarvestFestivalCommittee (Attachment4)
Mr. PalmieriwentoverthefinancialstatementfortheFestivalthisyear. Thisisreflectiveasoftoday. Itisaworkingdocument. Attachedhereto) Ofnote:
Totalrevenue: $212,049.
Totalexpense: $199,929
Profit: $ 12,120.00
Mr. Palmieriwentovertwocontractsforapproval. OneisforJimChampagne, FestivalCoordinator, recommendingwerenewhiscontractwithnochangeswhatsoevertothecontractweapprovedlastyear. ThesecondisforMelissaEricksen, sponsorcoordinator. Thereisaslightchange. Ifyousawtheemail, Inotedwehaveafourtier
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stepforhercommissionpay. Whatwearesuggestingthisyearaonelinechange: ifcommissionsaregreaterthan $40,000, astheywerethisyear, the20% shallbepaidonallcommissionsstartingatthe20,000markwhichcurrentlywewouldpay15%. Thisisanextra
incentivetorewardgettingthehighercommissionamount.
IamlookingforyourapprovallaterintheAgenda.
V. TownManager’sReportandCommunications
A. ReportoftheBoardofFinance
Mr. Brumbackexplainedtherewasnothingoutsideoftheroutine. Onenote, weareexpectingaboutthree-quartersofamilliondollarsfromFEMAtobookthisyear. Mostofourrevenuesaretrendinginagoodway.
TheChaircommented, afterreadingtheMinutes, everyoneshouldbeawarethatthisStandard & Poor’sratingwasmaintainedatAA+ forthesecondyearinarow. Thatisexcellentforusforbonding.
And, astorebonding, wesavedoverthenext2.5years $785,000refinancingthe2005bondswhichcoveredamiscellaneousgroupofprojects. Kudostothefinancestaffwhoworkedveryhardonthat. TomaintaintheAA+ ratingisreallyatributetothefinancedepartment. Theinterestonthatisaslowasit’severbeen.
B. RainGardenforStormwaterManagement ( Attachment5)
Thisisaprogramavailabletoourresidents. TheSavetheSoundgroupisofferinga $1500incentiveforanyresidentoruptoacoupleofresidentsonatestproductofaresidentialraingardeninordertoremovesomepollutantsandhelprechargethegroundwaterprogram. Inthespiritoflettingyouallknowofanygrantswearesupportingthatandwe’llbegintopublicizeit. Iwantedtobringittoyoufirsttobesuretherewasnoobjection. Agoodnewprogramthatisdesignedtoreimburseresidentswhowanttocreatearaingardenwithstormwaterrunoff.
We’llbeworkingwiththeSavetheSoundfolkstopublicizeit. We’llputitonthewebsite. TheSavetheSoundfolkswillalsomarketit. ApersonwouldapplythroughtheSavetheSoundgroupdirectly. Nocosttothetown.
C. PursueDEEPGrantforDumpTruck
Thisisanopportunitywewerenotexpectingtopurchasealowdieselemissiondumptruckwitha25% grant. Dumptruckscostabout200,000. Wehaveitinourcapitalplanbutithadnotcomeforward
thisbudgetyearasatoppriority.
Whatweareaskingisfortheabilitytomovethatforwardtothisbudgetyear. IstillneedtogototheBOF, butIbelievewe
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havethe $150,000necessary. Thisisaonetimeopportunityfora50,000granttooffsetthecost.
Wedoneedadumptruck. We’reaskingforyourpermissiontoapplyunderstandingitcouldcostusmovingforwardthe $150,000. The
thcutoffisthe7 ofDecemberandthegrantisonlygoodforthisfiscalyear.
Mr. Barrycommentedthatitstrikeshimoddthatwecontinuetoapplyforgrantsatthestatelevelandthestateisbroke. Wheredotheygetallthismoneytogiveoutgrants? Wekeepseeingmoreandmoreopportunitiestoapplyforgrantsanditstrikesmeasodd.
Obviously, applyforthegrant. It’soutthere. Butitisverystrangetome.
Mr. RomanosuggesteditmightbesomethingwewanttospeakaboutwithourstatelegislatorswhentheycomeinJanuary.
VI. TownAttorney’sReport
A. PoliceDepartmentObjectionableProducts (Attachment6)
Mr. Sciotaadvisedaboutamonthagowechangedseveralordinances; oneofwhichistheobjectionablematerialsordinance. Justtorecap, therearethreedifferentareaswherethepolicedepartmenthastheauthorityundertheirownregulationstoenforceandtodefinewhatexactlytheseareasare.
Tonightwearetalkingaboutobjectionablematerials. Thereisalsogoingtobelicensingforstreetvendorsandlicensingforalarmsystemsonresidentialandcommercialbasis.
Thefirstoneistheobjectionablematerials. Thebiggestchangeyou’regoingtoseeissomethingthat’sbeenpoppingupactuallyoverthelastyear. Syntheticmarijuana. It’sbecomeavery, verydangerousthinginSouthingtonandinConnecticut. We’vehadpresentationsatthesubcommitteelevelwithDetectivePalmieriaswellasSueSaucierworkingverycloselywithmeandMs. Lounsburytoworkonlanguageforthat.
Wepromisedthateventhoughthepolicearewritingtheregulationsthatwewouldbringtheminfrontofthecouncilforfeedback. Ifyouhaveanyobjections, feedbacksoradditions, Iwouldappreciateknowingtonightorinthenearfuturebecausetheydowanttobringthistothepolicecommissionandgettheirapproval. I’mopentoanycommentsthecouncilmayhave.
Mr. Palmiericommentedinsupportofthisthatoneofthemainreasonswewanttogothisroutewiththeobjectionableproductsbecausetheychangesooftenthatwecan’tpossiblychangetheordinancetokeepupwiththemainchangesoftheproducts. Weidentifiedwhatwearetryingtopreventsoit’smorevagueandmore
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encompassingonallthetypesofproducts. Ithinkit’llbeneficialforustomoveforwardandworkwiththepolicedepartment.
Mr. Martocchioaddeditisafluidlistanditisgoingtochangewithnewitems.
Mr. PalmierinotedthatworkingwithCaptainPocockwhoalsowasapartofthiscommittee, forexample, weallknowalotoftheseitemsaresoldatthefestival: sillystring, stinkbombs, instantsmoke, etcetera. Withthepolicehavingoversight, they’lltakepicturesoftheitemsthevendorsgetapprovalforsotheofficersknowifyouhaveanyitemotherthanwhatisidentified, itwon’tbetolerated. Itisclearerforeveryone.
Mr. Sciotanotedhehadseveralitemsforexecutivesessionbutwillnotbeactingonanyafterinpublicsession.
VII. PublicCommunications
ArthurCyr, 103BerlinAvenue. Spokeabouttheoutsidelights, i.e.: thedriveinwithwaytoomanylights. WhenthewaterdepartmentmovedtoWestQueen, theyredidtheareaonMillStreetandtheyaddedmorelightsandtheplaceislituplikeaChristmastree. Wejustopenedanewmunicipalcenter; theyaddedfourmoreornamentallightsacrossthefrontofitinadditiontothestreetlightsthatarethere. Thisgoesonandon. Betweenourtownengineer, peopleonpublicworksandpeopleonthemiddleschoolbuildingcommittee, Iknowtherewaslike56placeswheretheyreducedlightingonbothschools. Iaskeveryonetolookandmakesurewedon’toverdothelightsatourtwonewmiddleschools.
IdobelievetheturfcommitteeisacommitteeoftheTownCouncilandassuch, Iwouldaskthatsomeonemakesurethatcommitteemeetsonaregularbasis. Weapprovedthatfieldinthebeginningoftheyearandtherewasnocommitteethatmetsoconsequently, thefirstcoupleofeventswehadupthere, therewasnoprovisionsforfundraising. Thisisatownfield, atowncommitteeandtheyneedtogetmovingonrevenuecominginthisyearandnextyearandtheyearsafter. Iasksomebodylookattheturfcommitteesoitdoesn’tbecomepartoftheBOE.
TheChairadvisedthereisascheduleforregularmeetings.
IlioFusciello, 82AutranAvenue. Spokeabouthisissueindicatinghewantedtobeputontheagendaandpaid.
LarryDePaolofromBlatchleyAvenue. Talkedaboutthesewersandsewerassessments.
Hesaid40yearsagohehadsewersinstalledathishousefor2,000. The $2,00040yearsagorepresented8percentofthevalueof
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myhouse. Relatethattotoday, a100’ frontage, $200,000house, itwouldbe $16,000forthesewersanditisonly $8,000. Thepeopletodayreallyarepayinglessthanwepaid40yearstoputthesewersinperfootperpercentagebasis.
Backtothesewers, thisCouncil --- Ihavenothingagainsthelpinganybodyinthiscommunity --- thefactiswhensomebodyinthisdepartmentorthistownmakesamistake (Stonegate), myproblemisthehelpwas $250,000approximately. Idonotagreewiththefactitcamefromthesewerpeople’smoney. Itdidn’tcomefromthetown. Ithinkthetownshould’vecoveredthatandnotthesewerfund.
Wejusttooksomemoneyoutofthesewerfundbecausesomebodymadeamistakeandtheymisquotedorwhatever, buttotakemoneyoutofthesewermoneyiswrong. Ifthetownmadethemistake, itshouldbeacrossthewholetown. That, tome, isthecorrectwaytodoit.
Now, from2008to2012, oursewerusagetaxhasgoneup79percent. Thatisa79percentincreaseandpartoftheproblemiswegave $250,000toStonegateandacoupleofhundredthousandforthisorforthat. Thatshouldnotbecomingoutofsewermoney. It’swrong.
Ifit’sforinfrastructure, that’sfine. Butthisotherreallyhadnothingtodowiththesewerpeople. Ithinkit’swrong. IthinkitistimetheCouncildoesitright.
And, thisassessment, again, itisatownwidesituation. ThetowndidXamountoffeet, Xamountofhousesandwedividedthenumberofpeopleintotheamountofpipeinthegroundandeverybodypaidthesame. Youhelpedeachotherout.
Thankyou.
VIII. OldBusiness
A. ActiononReportofBoardofFinance
Mr. MartocchiomadethemotiontoapprovetheBOFMinutes. Dr. Urilloseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
B. ActiononAppleHarvestFestivalCommitteerecommendations
TheChairaskedforamotiontoacceptthecontractforJimChampagneaspresented. Mr. Palmierisomovedthemotion. Dr. Natelliseconded.
Mr. PalmieriacknowledgedJimandthankedhimforallthehardwork. Hedidaphenomenaljobservingasthefestivalcoordinatorandcoordinatingalltheeventsforthefestivalandworkingwithallthevolunteersandcommitteeheads.
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Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
TheChairaskedforamotiontoacceptthecontractforMelissaEricksenaspresented. Mr. Palmierimadethemotiontoapprove. Mr. Romanoseconded.
Mr. PalmieriacknowledgedMelissa. Wehadbudgetedfor $40,000forsponsorsthisyear. And, $45,100isphenomenal. Wehopethatgrowsnextyear. And, Iwanttorecognizeherforallherhardwork.
Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
C. ActiononGrantRequests
Dr.Natellisomovedthemotiontopursuethegrant. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.
IX. NewBusiness
A. TaxRefunds (Attachment7)
Ms. Micelimadeamotiontoapprovethetaxrefundsaslistedinourpackages, please. Dr. Natelliseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
B. Appointments: SEED, 3members, 4yeartermstoAugust2016
Mr.Romanomadeamotiontoappoint: GarySaucier, JeffGagnonandJuanitaChampagnetotheSEEDCommittee. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
C. Appointment: BoardofAssessmentAppeal
Mr. PalmierimadeamotiontonominateJamesBowestofillthevacancyontheBoardofAssessmentAppeals. Ms. Miceliseconded.
Mr. BarrycommentedJimiswellversedtoserveonthisboard. HeisthecomptrolleroftheTownofWallingford. Heactuallywasthefinancedirectorhere, aswell. So, heiswellabletohandlethejobofappealsonassessments.
VeryhappyJimwantstovolunteerandworkinthiscapacity. Thankyouforlettinghimbeappointed.
Mr. PalmieriacknowledgedandthankedSandraBealwhoservedinthecapacityandshe’llbecomingoff.
Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.
CongratulationstoJim!
X. Adjournment – ExecutiveSession – RealEstate, TaxesAbatement & ContractNegotiations.
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EXECUTIVESESSION
TheSouthingtonTownCouncilenteredexecutivesessionimmediatelyfollowingtheTownCouncilmeetingwiththefollowinginattendanceinordertodiscussrealestate, taxabatement & contractnegotiations.
ThefollowingCouncilpersonswerepresent, viz:
CherylLounsbury PeterJ. Romano, Jr. LouisJ. Martocchio DawnA. MiceliAlbertA. Natelli, Jr. ChristopherJ. PalmieriStephanieA. Urillo JohnN. Barry
JohnC. Dobbins, Chair
Ex-officiomemberspresentwereasfollows, viz:
MarkJ. Sciota, DeputyTownManager/TownAttorneyGarryBrumback, TownManager
LouisPerillo, EconomicDevelopmentCoordinator
Mr. Perilloleftat8:15p.m.)
Nomotionsweremadeorvotestakenduringexecutivesession.
Mr. Palmierimadeamotiontoadjournfromexecutivesession. Mr. Romanoseconded. Motionpassedunanimously.
Executivesessionwasadjournedat8:35o’clock, p.m.)
REGULARSESSION
Dr. NatellimadeamotiontoadjourntheTownCouncilmeetingwhichwassecondedbyMr. Palmieri. Motionpassedunanimously.
Meetingwasadjournedat8:36o’clock, p.m.)
MarkJ. SciotaActingSecretary