The Town Council meeting was called to order by Robert Doyon, Chair at 7 p.m. Following the Pledge, R. Doyon asked for a moment of silence in recognition of the passing of Pope John Paul.
Members Present: J. Commendatore, R. Doyon, P. Geary, T. Graveline, F. Harkins, D. Merriman,
D. Mirabelle and E. Miller. (arrived at 8:35 p.m.)
Absent Members: D. Moschella
T.Graveline suggested that the Council continue the discussion on the Recreation budget for ten minutes.
Mayor Chatfield apologized to the attending public for the delay in the start up of the regular Council meeting in order for the Council to return to the budget workshop.
Motion made by T. Graveline to reopen the budget workshop. Motion seconded by F. Harkins. Unanimous
P. Geary stated that she recognizes the need for this position and has heard many compliments about C. Moffo, Recreation Director. P. Geary believes that the Town has reached a point of having someone in this capacity full time.
A discussion followed regarding the proposed salary and length of time other employees have held their positions with the Town.
T. Graveline commented that she would like to come to a compromise regarding the salary.
M. Mikulski commented that more programs are in demand and Chris will be very busy organizing them.
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Recreation Direcor's position to full time. Discussion followed.
T. Graveline feels that the salary compromise is reasonable for this full time position. T. Graveline also requested a seasonal update from the Recreation Director and a summary for next year of accomplishments and the availability of programs.
B. Sereduck stated that responsibilities have been added to the Recreation Director's job description. A lot of work has been placed on him and it is nice to have C. Moffo here to get things done that are ncecessary that Board members are not able to accomplish during their working hours.
No further discussion. Unanaimous.
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Chatfield reported that there will need to be a resolution for Homeland Securtiy in the near future. He attended a meeting in Naugatuck that discussed the W.A.R.N. Watch Command. (Wide Area Rapid Notification). In the event of an emergency or public notification, every cell phone, residential or business phone would receive a message within 2 1/2 minutes. There would be a $12,000 cost to initially get into the program and there would be additional cost to activate. Different emergencies would initiate notification to the proper phone lines.
T. Graveline quesioned if a grant would be applied for.
Mayor Chatfield stated that if Naugatuck and Prospect joined W.A.R.N. together then there would be a proportioned amount depending on the population as probably a yearly fee.
Mayor Chatfield requested that the date of the Budget public hearing be hanged to Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at 7 p.m. The public hearing would be held at the Prospect Town Hall.
Motion made by P. Geary to have the Budget Pulbic Hearing on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 7 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield introduced residents from the College Farm Phase 1 and 2 subdivisions to the Town Council. Mayor Chatfield stated that he has been in contact with Representative Vickie Nardello who has requested bonding money for the Town of Prospect to install a waterline in the College Farms subdivision. Currently there has been significant progress with the installation of the waterline on Straitsville Road. Mayor Chatfield feels that there is a possibility of having enough money to install a waterline a couple of hundred feet into this subdivision.
At this time the following residents addressed the Council: Larry Fiedler, Jim Rioux, Sharon Wilhelm, Mary McKeown, John Cronan, Mary Ann Pocski, John Swanson, Paul Varhol, Catherine Allen, Nelson Abarzua, Antonio Pinho, Minza Mawji and Joy Rose Mawju, Mark Goggin, Peter Maniscalco, Brain Hawthorne, Mark Hanson, Kathy O'Donnell, Bill Middleton, Ben Pagoni, Mark Peck, John Slavin, Brian Sharkey, Andy Skroly, John Sullo, John Bell, Paul Belcher, Lou Moraniec, Carlos Rua and Jay Choi.
Each resident expressed their frustration with the water situation. Some, but very few, were there to support their neighbors because they did not have a problem with their water thus far, but would like to see the problem resolved. The majority of the residents present addressed the poor water quality, odor of the water, lack of water, recovery rate, the need for filtration systems and the drilling and hydro-fracting of wells. Most of the residents will take "navy showers", eat off paper plates and do laundry elsewhere and conserve at all times. They questioned why this situation was not addressed prior to building Phase 2.
P. Geary commented that the Mayor knows that this Council and the previous Council has supported a grant for the waterline. She suggested that the residents attend a Planning and Zoning meeting to express what has happened to them and to possibly prevent this from happening again. Unfortunately, once a subdivision has been built, the builders leave and the Town is asked to remedy the problem. You are not the first community to come forward and address the lack of water to their homes. P. Geary stated that she is glad to hear that provisions are being implemented requiring the wells be dug prior to the homes being built.
D. Merriman commented that he has gone through similar problems. He built his home in 1963 and had seven wells dug on three properties.
Mayor Chatfield asked the residents to submit their letters to the Council at this time. (All letters are filed in correspondence.)
Motion made by D. Mirabelle for a five minute recess. Motion seconded by F. Harkins. Unanimous
R. Doyon called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m.
Mayor Chatfield stated that he is not making any proposals tonight. He will get bonding information and will notify the public when there will be another meeting. Unless the State gives the Town the money up front for a waterline the meeting will probably be held in May, 2005.
Chair's Report: None
Guests of Public Participation: None at this time.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Budget Workshop minutes of March 29, 2005. Motion
seconded by P. Geary. Discussion followed.
T. Graveline noted corrections needed to be made on page 3 paragraph 11. "Mayor Chatfield commented
that this budget includes a full-time Land Use Clerk positions" - positions changed to position. The
last sentence of that paragraph is changed to read - Planning & Zoning has requested this full-time
clerk for the Land Use Inspector's Office.
Page 5- Motion made by D. Merriman has been corrected to read Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn.
Following discussion the words as amended were included in the motion.
F. Harkins abstains. Motion carries.
Correspondence:
Police Patrol Report - March
Zoning Inspector's Report - February
Letter from Westport, Connecticut
Tax Collector's Report - February
Refunds from the Tax Collector
Letter from Representative Vickie Nardello
Mayor's Expenditures
Water Pollution Control Authority fee structure
Numerous letters from the College Farms Development
Motion made by F. Harkins to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous
Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the tax refunds. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous
Subcommittee Reports: P. Geary, Pension & Benefits subcommittee commented that she did not receive any correspondence regarding the rate of increase for the pension benefits. She feels badly that this subcommittee recommended this package without knowledge of the rate increase.
D. Mirabelle questioned if the rate increase would be passed down to the employees participating in the program. (E. Miller arrived 8:35 p.m.)
T. Graveline questioned if the correspondence from Westport regarding anti-LICAP petitions needs to be addressed by the Town of Prospect. Discussion followed.
E. Miller suggested that this question be directed to Vickie Nardello or invite her to a meeting.
T. Graveline will contact V. Nardello.
T. Graveline will update the Council at the next meeting on the aquifer protection plan.
Motion made by T. Graveline to adjourn. Motion seconded by F. Harkins. Unanimous
This meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert E. Doyon, Chair
Janice Cranney, Clerk