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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
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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