The Regular Council meeting was called to order by Chair Cynthia L. Gibbons at 7:00 P.M. Members present: Douglas Merriman, Cynthia Gibbons, Edward Miller, Robert Doyon, Thomas Hallaway, Dominick Mirabelle, Jr., Patrica Geary, Theresa Graveline. Members Absent: Thomas Hallinan
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Chatfield introduced Mike Batista, Town Auditor, review of audit which was sent to the council members. There was an increase in the surplus. There were no overexpended items. D. Merriman and E. Miller asked Mike to explain the expenditures for the bugdet. P. Geary asked if there was a master list of transfers, the Mayor pointed out that every transfer has to be approved by the Town Council. Mike briefly explained Government Accounting Standard Board 34. He mentioned that it was something the Council is going to have to discussion in detail, in the future. Various discussions on parts of the budget. MOTION to accept the Auditor's Report as presented made by P. Geary, seconded by D. Mirabelle. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
Mike explained to the Council the 53rd week. "The fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 consists of 53 Fridays, and there for has 53 weekly pay periods". In order to cover that, a transfer is needed. See schedule "A" for the transfers. MOTION by D. Merriman to transer $9,565.30 from the General Fund to the accounts (See schedule "A") seconded by T. Hallaway. Discussion: P. Geary did not recall ever having to do this before. Motion carried (8 in favor P. Geary opposed).
The Mayor presented the Council with a Resolution stating that he would be authorized to execute and file applications and contracts on behalf of the Town of Prospect with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection for all things to do with the state grants for Water Storage Tank 2002. MOTION to approve the Resolution by E. Miller, seconded by B. Doyon. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
Mayor Chatfield asked the Council to review a Request for Proposal on 49 Talmadge Hill Road, Prospect, CT. The Mayor explained that the Town was inviting Prospect charities to submit proposals to manage this property. MOTION to allow Mayor Chatfield to run this Request for Proposals in the paper by E. Miller, seconded by D. Merriman. Discussion: T. Graveline asked the Mayor for the deadline she suggested March 20, 2002. She also felt that it should run in the Waterbury Republican and the Prospect Pages. The contact person will be Robert J. Chatfield, at 758-4461. Amend MOTION to read Mayor Chatfield can run the Request for Proposal in the Waterbury Republican and the Prospect Pages, with the deadline March 20, 2002 and with Mayor Chatfield as the contact person, at 758-4461. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
Mayor Chatfield introduced Diane Lauber, Tax Collector. Diane asked for a transfer from the General Fund account to refund Tax Account #5550 in the amount of $9,240.78. Diane explained why there was a need for the transfer. Discussion followed. Motion to approve transfer for $9,240.78 from the General Fund to the Tax Account #5550 by T. Graveline, seconded by B. Doyon. MOTION UNANIMOUS. MOTION to approve Refunds by D. Merriman seconded by P. Geary. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
Mayor Chatfield asked the Council members to keep Blue Cross in mind for next month's agenda.
The Mayor received a fax from The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission asking some towns and cities to form an advisory board. The Mayor asked the council members to think about this and maybe at the next meeting appoint three members.
The Mayor presented the Council with a letter from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The letter was in regards to US Cap and Jacket Site. There is no final report as of now.
Mayor Chatfeld presented the Council with a letter from the Office of the Secretary of the State. The letter is in regards to the central voter registration system.
Mayor Chatfield informed the Council that he has appointed James R. Plaster, 1218 Avon Blvd., Cheshire, Connecticut as a Police Officer for the Town of Prospect.
The Mayor gave each Council member a flyer with information about two fundraisers for the Gedraitis family.
The Mayor mentioned the new TV show about Prospect. It is called "Prospect Town Upon the Hill". Each week he will go to different places in Town and have different guests. The show runs on the public access channel at 8:30 p.m. on Friday nights.
The Mayor made a brief statement about the property of the old fire house.
Mayor Chatfield provided each member with a letter from Bristol Resource Recovery. The letter was in regards to the BRRFOC Legislative Agenda for 2002.
The Mayor mentioned his re-appointments and one new appointment (See Schedule "B" for list of appointments). The Mayor stated his position about the Board of Recreation. He said there is a good group of people on the Board and he does not feel that the Council should send members to their meetings.
The Mayor presented the Council with a request for a transfer from the General Fund. He explained why the transfers were needed. MOTION to approve of a $52,000 transfer from the General Fund (See Schedule "C") for each account) by D. Merriman, seconded by T. Hallaway. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
Mayor Chatfield mentioned the Council of Governments subcommittee that he is the chair of.
CHAIR'S REPORT: Review of the proposed Town Council Budget. MOTION to approve the Town Council 2002-2003 Budget that totals $8,600.00 by D. Merriman, seconded by B. Doyon. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
MOTION to formally endorse the Town Plan of Conservation and Development by D. Mirabelle, seconded by T. Graveline. Discussion: Each member felt that the Plan was very well done. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Diane Lauber, Tax Collector, informed the Council of the new video camera installed in the Tax Collector's Office. Diane also mentioned she is trying to get a drop box outside of Town Hall. Brief discussion followed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION to approve the December 18, 2001 minutes by D. Merriman, seconded by T. Hallaway. MOTION UNANIMOUS. MOTION to approve the minutes from the Special Town Council Meeting on January 2, 2002 by D. Merriman, seconded by B. Doyon, C. Gibbons and D. Mirabelle abstained.
CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from Carmody & Torrance, dated January 8, 2002 regarding 49 Talmadge Road, fax from Freedom of Information Commission, dated December 17, 2001, letter on US Cap and Jacket, dated January 9, 2002, letter from the Office of the Secretary of State regarding central voter registration system, dated January 9, 2002, letter for Mayor Chatfield regarding Police Officer appointment, dated January 14, 2002, flyer for the Gedraitis family, Bristol Resource Recovery Facility letter, letter from Mayor Chatfield regarding re-appointments, dated January 14, 2002, Council of Governments agenda, dated December 14, 2001, Connecticut Municipal Profiles, Mayor's Expenditures FY 2001-2002 for October, November, and December, Tax Collector's Report for September, October, and November 2001, December 2001 Zoning Report, State Bond Commission December 21, 2001 Agenda items, Builder Inspector's Monthly Report, Decembr 2001, letter from Region 16 regarding Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, dated December 19, 2001, SCRWA November 27, 2001 minutes, Prospect Police Patrol Report for the month of Decmber 2001, letter from the American Cancer Society, dated December 19, 2001, Board of Recreation November 14, 2001 minutes, and a letter from the Prospect Republican Town Committee regarding appontments, dated January 8, 2002. MOTION to put correspondence on file by T. Hallaway, seconded by T. Graveline. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
MOTION by P. Geary to accept the Republican Town Committee appointments of Alexander Delelle alternate to Planning & Zoning; Marianna Byrne to Library Board & Joseph Commendatore as an alternate on Zoning Board of Appeals seconded by D. Merriman. MOTION UNANIMOUS.
T. Graveline made a MOTION to have a Town Council member be a liaison for the Board of Recreation. Discussion: T. Graveline wanted to state that this was not a negative thing. She felt the Board of Recreation was an important Board, and it does not get enough attention from the Council. C. Gibbons did not feel this was necessary, she mentioned that the Council receives the minutes from the Board of Recreation and if a Council member felt it was important, then he or she could go to the meetings on their own. She felt it should not be a formal thing. T. Graveline made a MOTION to elect 4 members as a liaison committee for the Board of Recreation. The Council elected E. Miller, T. Graveline, D. Merriman, and D. Mirabelle MOTION made by D. Merriman, seconded by P. Geary (6 in favor, T. Hallaway abstained, and C. Gibbons opposed).
T. Graveline mentioned that the SCRWA is something she would like to discuss at next months meeting. She asked if it could be put on the agenda.
MOTION to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. by B. Doyon, seconded by E. Miller. MOTION UNANIMOUS.