Town Council Meeting - February 19, 2002

Prospect Town Council

February 19, 2002

Regular Town Council Meeting
Agenda as posted

The Regular Town Council meeting was called to order @ 7 P.M. by Chair Cynthia L. Gibbons. Members present: Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Cynthia Gibbons, Thomas Hallaway, Thomas Hallinan, Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle @ 7:04 P.M. Absent Theresa Graveline and Edward Miller

MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Chatfield gave C. Gibbons a rose and congratulated her on becoming engaged; Reviewed DEP letter re: Phase II Stormwater Workshop 2/28/2002; Bristol Resource Recovery re: Trash Collection and Disposal; Letter from Fire Chief inviting Council Members to the Volunteer Fire Dept. on Sat. March 2, 2002 @ 2 P.M. Congressman Jim Maloney will be announcing a Federal Grant for the purchase of weight-lifting/fitness equipment for the department; Mayor Chatfield reviewed proposed capital projects; update on Caplan Park; Transfer request: $5,000 from G.F.S. to Town Roads Account #7000-03 Tree Trimming. MOTION made by R. Doyon, 2nd by P. Geary to approve transfer. Motion Unanimous; Transfer request: $3,000 from G.F.S. to Parks Account #7300-02 Park Maintenance to clear land for the Proposed Ice Skating Rink/Skate Board Park, location would be behind Senior Center, approvals will be required from various Commissions. Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by D. Mirabelle to approve transfer. P. Geary opposed. Motion carried. Mayor Chatfield discussed Hotchkiss Field issue concerning dogs, Mr. Rowe, owner of the Big Dipper, wants to donate a pole with a dispenser that will allow people to pick up after their dogs. P. Geary questioned town garage in two places on proposed capital plan, Mayor indicated typo, should only be in plan once. Members discussed RT. 69 Traffic Operations Study newsletter.

GUESTS: Vincent D. Leone, Assessor reviewed summary of the October 1, 2001 Grant List. Indicated that reval went well, market is excellent, no court cases, had 80 appeals and 40 were reduced. Expect approx. 20-25 appeals this year; should see increase in personal property from new medical building. Discussion concerning elderly exceptions, circuit breaker and veterans.

P. Geary - Reason for her negative vote for the skating rink, feels happening without council approval, the public was aware of the skate/board park before the Council.

PUBLIC: Tony Augelli - Ice Skating at Hotchkiss Field went on for only three weeks, indicated it was done intentionally, feels may not have been vandalized. Can't understand why the skating rink is being moved, there was always a tremendous turnout, feels it should be centrally located, suggested putting asphalt on Hotchkiss Field. Feels council should find out why. No supervision at park, no park and recreation representative at the park. Main question, "why changing location?" T. Hallaway feels location change will allow for a more permanent place and new location wouldn't be too visible. Location at Hotchkiss field was good while it lasted but ground is not frozen, fields need to be dried out for soccer. R. Doyon pointed out soccer fields were designed for soccer, new location could avoid vandalizing. Tony Augelli feels issue is supervision. D. Merriman feels Hotchkiss Field wasn't a good spot due to crazy winter and concerns with the grass when soccer season starts, also feels new location of skating rink could have been broached with the council before anything done, will respond to Mr. Augelli's concern when have more information.
Mr. Augelli pointed out that the soccer field facing the placescape wasn't in the original plan, need to finish one field at a time, everything done halfway. Skating rink during the three weeks had a tremendous turnout, moving doesn't make sense and citizens won't see if it is put behind the senior center.
Mr. Augelli reiterated that he wants the council to do something about ice skating rink at Hotchkiss Field, indicated he's getting information about the rink from the town crew. Mr. Augelli said "he'll never come to a meeting again".

D. Mirabelle pointed out that in the past when out of town people used parks in Waterbury there was a concession stand, question could be do we want people from out of town using fields without charging them.

Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by B. Doyon to approve previous minutes with correction. Motion Unanimous

CORRESPONDENCE: 1/8/2001 South Central Regional Water Authority Land Study Committee minutes; 2/15/2002 invitation to join Fire Chief and Congressman Jim Maloney Sat. March 2, 2002 @ 2 P.M. at the Fire House re: Federal Grant; 1/18/2002 Conn. DEP re: workshop 2/28/2002; RT. 69 Traffic Operations Study newsletter; 2/15/2002 appointment of Joseph Commendatore to Board of Recreation by Mayor Chatfield; BRRFOC re: trash collection; 2/6/2002 Fire Dept. actives for 2001; 2/14/2002 new Police Officer Steven Noreika appointment; State of Conn. Workers' Compensation Commission re: Safety and Health Committee Compliance; Republican Town Committee appointments George Havican alternate on Zoning Board of Appeals & Bruce Woundy and Larry Fitzgerald to Emergency Mgmt Committee; William Donovan becoming a Certified Zoning Enforcement Official; CCM Environmental Mgmt Bulletin; January Building, Electrical, Heating and Plumbing Inspector's Reports; 2/5/2002 Memo from Dr. Helene re: proposed ordinances that Beacon Falls is proposing re: Fire and Police at all sport events. Motion made by P. Geary, 2nd by D. Merriman to place correspondence on file and approve appointments. Motion Unanimous

SUBCOMMITTEES:

Ordinance Subcommittee had a quick session, need an updated ordinance book.

Pension & Benefits to meet on March 5th @ 6 P.M. with Ray Lapalme.

D. Merriman attended Board of Recreation meeting, Mark Mikulski nominated as Chair. Reported that approx. 2,000 people/children participate in Board of Recreation activities, feels an office should be designated in Town Hall for the Director. Also feels involvement is going to get bigger and Board of Recreation is a big part of the town. Feels that the Board of Recreation needs the Councils help and guidance. Board of Recreation meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 7 P.M. D. Mirabelle brought up proof of residence problem.

Motion made by P. Geary, 2nd by D. Merriman to adjourn @ 8:24 P.M. Motion Unanimous

Cynthia L. Gibbons
Chair