Regular Town Council Meeting
Agenda as posted
The Regular Town Council Meeting was called to order by Chair Cynthia Gibbons at 7:03 P.M. Members present: Frank Bainer, Delores Franks, Patricia Geary, Cynthia Gibbons, Theresa Graveline @ 7:05, Gary V. Hodge and Shirley Sabo. Absent: Robert Doyon and Edward Miller.
MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Chatfield passed out the plaque that will be on all the buildings in the Historic District; Mayor’s office being updated regularly on the testing of mosquitoes in the area; Letter from Dept. of Transportation re: Installation of Traffic lights, meeting took place today, installation of light on RT. 69 at the top of Summit Rd should begin Sept. 5th.; Mayor Chatfield referred to letter from Regional School District 16 re: Teacher Collective Bargaining and recommended appointing a representative from the Council to attend negotiation meetings; Requested names for a committee to work with the Town Council re: SSRWA property; Updated members on Charter Revision – Public Hearing to be held August 22, Council needs to turn in the question for the ballot to the Town Clerk by September 7th. Pointed out the Council needs to hold a Special Meeting in order to hold a Public Hearing, Mayor Chatfield suggested holding the Public Hearing at 8 P.M. on September 5, 2000; Review of year end transfer of $22,470.00 under BTE was due to the increased premium; Mayor also indicated it is a great honor to have Senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, running for Vice President.
Delores Franks questioned Charter Revision hand out; Draft of the entire Charter; Also would like to congratulate the members of the Charter Revision Commission for bringing revisions in on time.
Theresa Graveline questioned time line the Council must adhere to: Charter Revision Commission holding a Public Hearing August 22nd; Council required to hold a Public Hearing; turn in to the Town Clerk by the 7th of Sept. Suggested holding a Special Town Council Meeting August 24th; Mayor pointed out that the changes to the charter are in bold print on the draft.
7:15 P.M. MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Patricia Geary to go into Executive Session with the Mayor concerning land purchase of 13-13A Center Street and 215 Cheshire Road. Unanimous. Executive session concluded at 7:27 P.M. MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Theresa Graveline to come out of Executive Session and it was noted that no votes were taken during the executive session. Unanimous
MOTION made by Theresa Graveline seconded by Delores Franks to go forward with the purchase 13-13A Center Street, negotiated price of $69,000, $30,000 to be paid this year, $39,000 to be paid next year at zero interest and to hold a Town Meeting September 5th @ 7 P.M. Mayor Chatfield reviewed where land is located and supports the purchase wholeheartedly. Patricia Geary opposed cannot support the purchase price. MOTION PASSED.
Diane Lauber, Tax Collector, explained refund requests (Schedule "A") MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Theresa Graveline to approve refunds. Unanimous
CHAIR REPORT: Cynthia Gibbons has spoken to Joe Commendatore, High School Building Committee member, re: Paxton Soil. J. Commendatore has been invited to the Sept. 19th meeting of the Council. Mr. Commendatore gave C. Gibbons a preliminary report and has indicated that they haven’t dipped into contingency fund due to poor drainage; money has been saved in other areas of the project. Douglas Merriman, representative from the Prospect Safety Committee to attend Sept. 19th meeting and update the council.
GUESTS: Robert Hiscox, Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission: Discuss three issues – 1) Comprehensive Plan of Development (Schedule ‘B" attached), 2) Land Use Ordinance, 3) Council should strongly consider Water Co. property.
Comprehensive Plan of Development – Final document will include maps, overlays, etc. Will contain information that will help town, Inland Wetlands, etc. Also will include Economic Development recommendations. Prospect will be compared to other towns such as Middlebury, Woodbury, Beacon Falls, Thomaston and Oxford. Also will cover Dept. of Transportation issues. Series of Public Hearing will be held. Good planning should take approximately 18 months inorder to allow adequate input and Council will be kept informed. Shirley Sabo indicated that water & sewer problems should also be considered in the plan.
Land Use Ordinance – Bill Donovan is a dedicated Land Use Officer, presently doesn’t have the clout needed to prevent people who are violating Zoning Regs. Looking to institute a fine that would make people more apt to comply. Shirley Sabo, member of the Ordinance Subcommittee, been in touch with B. Donovan inorder to come up with a final draft. Liability issue needs to be addressed also.
Delores Franks voiced concern about people being grandfathered in and how to deal with issues prior to enactment of an ordinance. Bob Hiscox – necessary to make sure liability is in place for B. Donovan as a town employee inorder to allow B. Donovan to do his job effectively.
Water Company Land – Planning and Zoning Commission has discussed and urges town to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase with any combination of funding. Would like Council to look into purchasing the Water Co. Land. Would be a nice recreational center for Prospect residents, similar to other surrounding towns. Urged Council on behalf of P&Z to do whatever it takes. Cindy Gibbons indicated that another subcommittee will be created to look into.
Gene McCarthy, Public Works – Questioned purchase of property next to the town garage. Theresa Graveline Chair of Land Use Subcommittee – appraisal has been completed, Public Works subcommittee needs to do additional work before pursuing purchase; will be contacting Bob Doyon, Chair of Public Works Bldg. Comm., to set up meetings. Gene McCarthy questioned what more needs to be done. Necessary to make recommendation and determine if purchase will solve Public Works needs. Gary Hodges indicated the subcommittees now have information to work with.
Robert Harvey questioned Tax Abatement for fire fighters time-line. Ordinance committee hasn’t met. Mayor Chatfield has offered to get information from CCM. Cindy Gibbons requested ordinances from other towns. Shirley Sabo indicated procedures need to be followed. Robert Harvey indicated that half a dozen towns have already done something. Chair Gibbons pointed out that the first meeting in September is filled but hope to have something ready for the 2nd meeting in September. Theresa Graveline indicated the ordinance is important to the Council, procedures still need to be followed. Gary V. Hodge – basic information has been gathered, still need information from the state, tax abatement ordinance is one of the three the ordinance committee will be working on in September in order to begin process. Shirley will call Mr. Harvey when meeting is scheduled of the Ordinance committee. Mr. Harvey would also like information on the process – Copies of Ordinances from other towns; meetings need to be held; review ordinance; town attorney reviews and then the Council reviews. Theresa Graveline requested a list of information from Mr. Harvey that would be helpful to the ordinance committee. Shirley may contact CCM herself.
Patricia Geary questioned if there was anything new on the demolition of the firehouse. Robert Harvey – asbestos & utilities have been removed. Demolisher is having problem with wood stain that may have asbestos in it which is being tested by an asbestos detection company. Patricia Geary indicated that firehouse issue of demotion has been going on for over two years; pointed out that Ordinance on Tax Abatements only available since October 1999 and took effect July 1st 2000.
CORRESPONDENCE: Dept. of Correction letter which (tabled from previous meeting). MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Patricia Geary to not pursue. MOTION Unanimous. Building Inspections Report; Treasurers Report; Zoning Inspectors Report; Letter from Fred Harkins resigning from Economic Development Commission. Gary V. Hodge questioned if council received copy of the resignation of Mr. Sullivan from the Charter Revision Commission (not received by either the Town Clerk or the Council); Police Report; letter from Board of Education re: Teacher Collective Bargaining; Letter from Mayor Chatfield re: appointment of a police officer; Check from Regional Water Authority (copy); Form letter from the Town Clerk of resignations of: Fred Harkins, Economic Development, Deborah Bajorak Inland Wetlands and Arlene Mullins as Justice of the Peace. MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Theresa Graveline to place correspondence on file. Unanimous
Charter Revision Draft received; Special Meeting of the Town Council will be set after Public Hearing of the Charter Revision Commission.
SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS: Pension & Benefits – Patricia Geary reported on meeting held May 8th (Schedule "C" attached) Cindy Gibbons felt is was necessary to elect a Chair of the Pension & Benefits Committee at their own meeting. Patricia Geary said she would present whether her appointment is valid. Members of the Council felt the Council vote supercedes. Recommended that employees cost share should be same % in order to equalize; Recommended 7.5% employee payment for premium per year. Recommendations were made at May 8th meeting, committee was asked to hold off in order for town employees to be told. Delores Franks, former chair of subcommittee, ran into difficulty therefore resigned. Gary V. Hodge questioned if employees who will be affected by change have been informed. Mayor Chatfield hasn’t communicated whether meeting has taken place. Subcommittee needs to meet again, Gary V. Hodge would like to see issue on the agenda for the next Council meeting September 5th. Cindy Gibbons feels it is necessary to find out if Town Employees have been notified. Shirley Sabo questioned clerk of the Council if Mayor has spoken to town employees. Clerk of the Council present only as the clerk. Patricia Geary will report to Council at next meeting.
LAND USE & ORDINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES: Discussed previously during meeting
PUBLIC WORKS: Hasn’t met
R16 LIAISON: Delores Franks volunteered to attend meetings concerning negotiations which are held in Prospect.
SR. HOUSING – Gathering information, will have meeting soon.
STATE LEG. LIAISON: Nothing to report
ECONOMIC DEV. SUB: Hasn’t met; Chair to invite Economic Development, Peter Hughes, to 2nd meeting in September.
Tentative date for Special Council meeting re: Charter Revision Public Hearing September 24th at 7 P.M.; Possibly Sept. 5th Public Hearing immediately following Town Meeting.
MOTION made by Theresa Graveline, seconded by Gary V. Hodge to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:23 P.M.
Cynthia L. Gibbons, Chair