The Regular Meeting of the Prospect Town Council was called to order at 7:02 P.M. by Chair Cynthia L. Gibbons.
Members present: Frank Bainer, Robert Doyon, Delores Franks, Patricia Geary, Cynthia Gibbons, Gary V. Hodge, Edward Miller at 7:05 P.M. and Shirley Sabo. Absent Theresa Graveline
MAYOR'S REPORT: Respectfully requested that the Land Use Committee have a meeting concerning property located adjacent to the Town Garage, also suggested contacting real estate agent; Letter from R. Douglas Marsh, Chairman of South Center Connecticut Regional Water District re: Robert Harvey as an elector to the Representative Policy Board. MOTION made by Patricia Geary, seconded by Shirley Sabo to approve the appointment of Robert Harvey to the Representative Policy Board. Unanimous
Mayor updated members on the Senior Center; Board of Recreation working on final drawing for Kaplan Park, action to be taken this Thursday for the final plan.
Mayor Chatfield asked for a motion to table the Mill Rate as per Sec. 8.4 of the Town Charter. It is still necessary to wait for State Budget to be finalized. MOTION made by Delores Franks, seconded by Gary V. Hodge to Table the Mill Rate. Unanimous
Mayor Chatfield asked that Ordinance Subcommittee look into Pension/Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters.
Mayor Chatfield referred to Revenue Sheets for February & March in correspondence for council members.
Mayor Chatfield requested a transfer to the Police Account per Section 8.7 of the Prospect Town Charter. C.O.P.S. Fast $4,726.00 which the town has already received Federal Funds for this account. MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Edward Miller to approve the transfer. Unanimous
Mayor Chatfield also requested the Council schedule a Special Meeting on Monday, May 8th @ 6:30 or 7 P.M. concerning 1) Discussion of strategy and negotiations in connection with pending litigation (Donald Bragg vs Town of Prospect, 2) Possible action on settlement of case as referenced, 3) Action on possible budget transfers. MOTION made by Delores Franks, seconded by Patricia Geary to schedule a Special Meeting at 7 P.M. on Monday, May 8th. Gary V. Hodge opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Economic Development members in attendance: Peter Hughes and Frederick Harkins. Introduction of Mr. Cicchetti, Tony Cocchiola, Mark Capanna & Bob Capanna. Conceptual drawing of possible Industrial Park on Scott Road available for viewing. Mayor updated Council members - Individuals have built developments in various places around town, presently only 7% of town is Industrial property. Many factors for Industrial Park depend on sewers, design of road into Waterbury and improvements to Scott Road. Improvements on I-84 are being done. Mayor Chatfield has been in contact with Naugatuck Valley Economic Corp., preliminary meetings with City of Waterbury in regards to sewer and street. Grants of $175,000 are available from the state for planning. Mayor recommended appointing 2-3 members from the Council to work with the Economic Development Commission and a special meeting with the town attorney.
Peter Hughes, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission reiterated concept, feels it would be good for the town and would help the tax base.
Mayor Chatfield yielded to Mr. Cicchetti one of the owners. Question as to why the Town of Prospect and not individual owners? Developers have thought about a residential development. Bob Capanna came up with the idea that the town needed a commerce/industrial park since 93% of tax base is generated from residential property causing a high burden on taxpayers. States recommendation is 85% residential, 15% industrial. Would be financially more rewarding for the town, developer not eligible for grants, great opportunity for the town to take advantage of what state would apply and increase tax base. Final plan would be up to the Council and State; Studies would be done to determine how best to develop the property.
Shirley Sabo questioned when did developer approach Economic Development Commission? Initial discussion was with the Mayor about the concept, Economic Development has met 4-5 time. Shirley Sabo would have hoped Economic Development had done their homework prior to coming before the Council. Mayor Chatfield pointed out that Frank Sundermeyer came to Council last year at budget time and proposed additional money in budget for this purpose.
Edward Miller pointed out that not much more could have been done by the Economic Development Commission without direction from the Council. Necessary for the Council to appoint Economic Development to take the necessary steps.
Gary V. Hodge questioned whether it would be premature to talk about type of businesses and how to encourage them to come to Prospect. Peter Hughes reiterated they don't have the authority.
Mr. Cicchetti indicated that he has received approx. five phone calls from potential businesses questioning the status of the proposed park. Access to I-84 makes it a very attractive parcel of land.
Gary Hodge - Next steps to planning stage? 1) Concept, 2) Interest, 3) Grants. In order to start it would be necessary for the Council to give Economic Development Commission the authority to find out information to allow for grants and need for professional planner to direct the Economic Development Commission.
Patricia Geary questioned ownership of property? 178 acres, 4 separate parcels. RMK Associates presently owns two parcels and in the process of acquiring the third, Main parcel is 159 acres and in the process of extending option to buy. RMK is committed to purchase no matter what the Town decides. Town would need to purchase the land, towns job would to develop and rent or sell in conjunction with the state. Mayor Chatfield questioned if could be done in Phases. Mr. Cicchetti feels it would make sense to break up, and develop one at a time.
Cynthia L. Gibbons - questioned if there is a time line for grants? Once bond package is approved and Council makes a determination 5-6 month process will know at that point if marketable.
Gary V. Hodge questioned if Council decided to go ahead if there was sufficient money in the budget to get started.
Mayor Chatfield - Won't have that figure until proposals are received. In order to obtain proposals, would require publishing a legal notice and picking a consultant to do the work. Unable to determine if there is enough money in the budget until proposals are received that is why Economic Development needs the authority to get a planner.
Mayor Chatfield - Necessary for the Council to sit down with someone from the State of Conn. Department of Economic Development and with the Town Attorney for a joint meeting in order to question experts from the state.
Patricia Geary questioned cost of purchasing the property. Would require an appraisal and Town can only pay what the property is appraised at.
Mr. Cicchetti - State Department of Economic Development has applied for funding; could be up to $175,000. Patricia Geary questioned if approval were given does it allow them to go forward. Not necessary to spend money, necessary to find out how it can be done in a cost affective manner.
If Economic Development Commission is given authority then goes out to bid and feasibility study would be done.
MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Delores Franks to allow Economic Development Commission to continue towards project and proceed and update Council on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Mayor Chatfield suggested meeting with the Town Attorney. Patricia Geary opposed, feels too many unanswered questions, would like Economic Development Commission to look into further therefore she can not support.
Mr. Cicchetti pointed out that part of the planning is the feasibility.
Delores Franks feels necessary to know the impact over a period of time. Gary Hodge questioned if after proposals received does the Council have the right to stop the process, at this point only starting in order to get information. Council has the right to say no at any point.
Patricia Geary's question is does the town really want to own, develop, sell or rent an industrial park. Also issue of road development.
Cynthia Gibbons - need to know what the market is in order to make a determination.
Shirley Sabo suggested possibility of waiting until next meeting to vote on in order to have Economic Development Commission give Council an idea as to what feasibility study would cost. There is no way of knowing what cost would be until proposals are received.
Delores Franks would support a marketing study to ensure town doesn't become absentee landlords.
Mayor Chatfield pointed out would be selling properties over a period of time.
RFP - Request for Proposals would allow for a professional to come in and tell if feasible for town to take over and develop.
Marketing study would be done to see if people are interested. Planning study would look at land and see if economically feasible.
Gary V. Hodge feels it is time for the Economic Development Commission to start in order to allow for a Planner to get information back to the council.
Mr. Cicchetti - Planning process would include marketing and environmental studies.
Shirley Sabo feels it is important that Economic Development Commission get energized. Also questioned what percentage of property is wetlands, he would be speculating if gave a percentage. Feasibility study would include marketing planning study, cost of environmental study. State would have own studies done; bid process, etc.
Mr. Peter Hughes, Chairman of Economic Development Commission, feels if Council was energized than Economic Development would be energized.
Gary V. Hodge moved the motion. Patricia Geary opposed.
VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: All in favor, Patricia Geary opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Chatfield thanked the representatives.
Edward Miller left at 8:08 P.M.
Cynthia Gibbons recommended three people on sub-committee to act as liaisons. Gary V. Hodge, Edward J. Miller and Frank Bainer and Cynthia L. Gibbons.
Delores Franks - Motion allowed to see what Economic Development commission comes up with. Patricia Geary feels that question is whether it would be feasible for the town.
Shirley Sabo reiterated that for many years Economic Development Commission has done nothing. Also agree with motion since it doesn't allow Economic Commission to proceed until they come before the council.
Gary V. Hodge suggested Economic Development Commission report to the Council not the Mayor.
Shirley Sabo yielded to Tony Augelli. Mr. Augelli feels something wrong. Questions as to what is in it for the developers. Shirley Sabo feels 23 years have been wasted land could have been purchased for less money.
MOTION made by Patricia Geary seconded by Delores Franks to allow for Public Participation. Unanimous
Kathy Hack would have liked to have been able to speak while principles were present. Unfortunate voted to spend money in order to go forward. State has money but were does Town plan to get the money to purchase the park. Council needs to take into consideration increase in budget and hopes council thinks what final cost will be.
Delores Franks - "Bottom line cost & impact on mill rate". Necessary to wait for Request for Proposals (RFP).
Shirley Sabo reiterated nothing to be spent until Economic Development comes back to the Council.
CHAIR REPORT: Cynthia Gibbons attended Charter Revision meeting, Town Attorney was also present. Suggested that Council members attend.
CORRESPONDENCE: Zoning Inspector Report; Mayors Expenditures for Feb. & March; Revenue Sheet; Treasurers Report; Two letters from Dr. Helene, Superintendent of Schools (1 re: Oxford the other in regards to Cynthia Gibbons letter concerning Scot Road property. MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Delores Franks to place on file. Unanimous
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Ordinance committee unable to meet would like to meet with William Donovan, Zoning Enforcement Officer; Tax Exempt Ordinance halted (Schedule "A") attached question concerning Paragraph II Chairman not Council.
Next meeting 7 P.M. May 16 to include Public Hearing, Cynthia Gibbons will check with Town Attorney.
MOTION made by Patricia Geary, seconded by Shirley Sabo to hold a Public Hearing, May 16, 2000 at 7 P.M. prior to regular Town Council Meeting pertaining to Schedule "A". Unanimous
MOTION made by Gary V. Hodge, seconded by Robert Doyon to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:53 P.M.
Cynthia L. Gibbons, Chair
Maryann C. Anderson, Clerk