Town Council

February 25, 2003

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

MAYOR'S REPORT: DEP visited Town Garage re: tank removal issue, will give council more information at future meetings; Asked Chair to read resignation of Thomas J. Hallaway - Mayor Chatfield & P. Geary complemented Thomas Hallaway and Motion was made by P. Geary, 2nd by D. Merriman to accept resignation with regret and wish him success. Motion Unanimous

Letter read from the Republican Town Committee recommending the appointment of Delores Franks to fill the un-expired term of T. Hallaway. Motion made by P. Geary, 2nd by T. Graveline. Motion Unanimous

Mayor Chatfield presented Delores with nameplate. Town Clerk swore in Delores Franks and Mrs. Franks indicated it is a pleasure to be back.

Mayor reviewed letter from Rosa DeLauro re: fuel assistance, U.S. Cap letter re: future growth in the area; R16 credit of $110,171.93; DEP re: recycling and Transfer request.

Mayor Chatfield reviewed transfer request. Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by P. Geary to accept transfer request, P. Geary complimented the Town Crew and D. Merriman suggested sending a communication to Town Crew. Transfer Motion Unanimous

Mayor Chatfield recommended dates for Budget Workshops:

March 4, 2003 @ 6:30 P.M. - Motion made by D. Merriman 2nd by T. Graveline Unanimous
March 18, 2003 @ 6:30 P.M. - Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by D. Mirabelle Unanimous
April 1, 2003 @ 6:30 P.M. - Motion made by R. Doyon, 2nd by P. Geary
April 14, 2003 @ 7 P.M. Public Hearing followed by Budget Workshop - Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by T. Graveline. Unanimous
April 30, 2003 Town Meeting @ Community School @ 7 P.M. Motion by D. Merriman, 2nd By P. Geary. Unanimous

Mayor Chatfield urged council to vote in favor of Dental Benefits for retired town employees.
Also pointed out that the Fire Marshall has checked all rooms in various town building & signs will be redone for fire capacity.

Review of past purchases of fire trucks and pay off. Captain Mike Dowling, John Vance and Bill Lauber were present for a briefing on the purchase of a new fire truck. Mike Dowling briefed the Council, evaluated trucks throughout the state, new truck would have a 6 person cab, 430 HP engine, 1250 lb. Per gallon min pump, etc. Will help with operator & crew safety, $374,995.00 purchase price with 240 day delivery time. Bid opening was held in January, will be replacing a vehicle but haven't determined which one. Various questions asked by Council members.

P. Geary thanked Mike Dowling and wished him luck on his move to Maryland.

ASSESSOR: Mayor indicated Council will be pleased with the bottom line of the grand list. Vinny reviewed, also reviewed 27 vehicles refunding due to transfer to Naugatuck. Vinny Leone also indicated he has been appointed to the Board of Tax review for Waterbury. E. Miller questioned if there is any recourse the town can take against the vehicles that were taxed in Prospect but required refunds. Diane Lauber, Tax Collector, checked with Town Attorney and can't charge a service fee, D. Lauber hoping the refunds will be slowing down. Vinny Leone indicated that DMV and Assessor's laws are conflicting. D. Franks indicated that conflict in laws rule each other out. Discussion continued re: Tax Fraud.

Assessor, Vincent Leone, reviewed Grand List summary. Personal property increase due to Yankee Gas line and new medical building. Also recommended locking in this spring for reval which will take place in 2004 (reval required every 4 years), full inspection every 12 years. Suggested staggering the $120,000 total cost, suggested put money away in this fiscal year approx. $50%, will be bidding out. Also suggested $25,000 to $30,000 a year into budget to stagger cost.

Chair suggested letter from the Council to Public Works complimenting them and also a letter to Mike Dowling for his service to the Fire Department. Motion made by T. Graveline, 2nd by R. Doyon. Motion Unanimous

Tax Collector, Diane Lauber, reviewed tax refunds. Due to refinancing refunds on Real Estate possible next meeting. Motion made by P. Geary, 2nd by B. Doyon. Unanimous

T. Graveline questioned the Town owning property on Carmel Drive. Land went up for auction due to back taxes. Will go on the suspense list.

T. Graveline left at 8:25 P.M.

Diane Lauber also handed out Statute for the ordinance committee to review re: local elderly tax program.

Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by E. Miller to approve minutes of January 21, 2003. E. Miller and D. Franks abstained. Motion carried

CORRESPONDENCE: Refunds, Letter from William Stowell dated 2-10 re: credit; R16 Auditor's Report; Assessor's report (summary); Transfers; (Recycling status; State DEP re US Cap *Note correspondence not given back to clerk).; Recommendation from Republican Town Committee Delores Franks; Resignation from T. Hallaway; Voters and machine report from Town Clerk; Inspector's Reports; Tax Collectors Reports for Dec. & Jan.; Letter from Rosa DeLauro re: Fuel assistance (Note correspondence not given back to clerk); 2003 Police Report; Revenue sheets January 2003; State Statue re: ordinance for elderly tax program. Motion to place correspondence on file made by D. Merriman, 2nd by D. Franks. Unanimous

NEW BUSINESS: Ordinance for elderly tax relief. D. Franks suggested having Ordinance subcommittee work on. Motion made by D. Mirabelle, 2nd by D. Merriman to submit to Ordinance Subcommittee. C. Gibbons indicated that Ordinance subcommittee is working on the Zoning & Park Ordinance, town attorney reviewing.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

P. Geary reviewed Feb. 6, 2003 Pension & Benefits subcommittee minutes concerning retirees medical supplemental insurance. Unable to offer vision; dental would be a separate supplemental plan.
Reviewed Feb. 11, 2003 minutes. During the meeting Mayor Chatfield, as a member of the Pension committee, made a motion to recommend dental coverage for retirees to the Council. Cost presently $279.10 per month with retiree paying 10% of that amount, dental would be an additional $34.42 per month with the 10% co-pay.
(Both sets of Subcommittee minutes were approved Motion by D. Merriman, 2nd by R. Doyon Unanimous)
Benefits would provide dental coverage for retirees 65 and over after 20 years of employment.
Motion made by D. Franks accepting recommendation of the subcommittee. E. Miller, D. Franks, C. Gibbons and R. Doyon in favor, D. Mirabelle, D. Merriman & P. Geary opposed. Motion carried. P. Geary will notify the representative for the town.

Motion made by D. Merriman, 2nd by P. Geary to adjourn at 8:55 P.M. Motion Unanimous

M. Carrie Anderson, Clerk

Cynthia L. Gibbons, Chair
Chairman