January 4, 2005
The Town Council meeting was called to order by Robert Doyon, Chair at 7 p.m.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Douglas Merriman, Edward Miller, Dominick Mirabelle and Domenic Moschella
Members Absent: Joseph Commendatore and Frederick Harkins
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Chatfield addressed the Town Council and audience in regards to two lives that were saved due to efforts of the Volunteer Fire Department of Prospect, medical personnel, civilians, St. Mary's Hospital, State and Prospect Police Officers, Northwest CT Public Safety and Campion Ambulance. Rescue breathing was performed and EPPI pens were administered to save the female patient on November 24, 2004 who was not breathing. The second miracle occurred on December 11, 2004 for a male party, Mr. Anthony Cretella, who was in full cardiac arrest. A Prospect resident administered CPR until a Prospect Fire Department paramedic arrived soon after and used a defibrillator on the patient as more department personnel and Campion Ambulance EMT's responded to the scene.
Mayor Chatfield then recognized each person involved in this team effort and had Mr. Tony Cretella assist in the presentation of certificates from Governor Jodi Rell and life-saving ribbons in honor of their dedication, team effort and life saving efforts:
Charles M. Lautenschlager, Assistant Fire Chief; Lieutenant John Vance, Charles Mallon, Paramedics; Keith Griffin, Fire Marshall; Barbara Moore and Peter Miller; Northwest CT Public Safety Dispatchers; Debbie Hennessey, Off-Duty Nurse: Patrick J. Conway, EMS Officer Prospect Fire Department; Charles Mallon, Parademic Prospect Fire Department; Robert J. Chatfield, Fire Chief Prospect Fire Department; Mark DeBiase, Lieutenant Prospect Fire Department; John Vance, Lieutenant Prospect Fire Department; William Lauber, Lieutenant Prospect Fire Department; William Blakley, Lieutenant, Prospect Fire Department; Steven Patchkofsky, Lieutenant Prospect Fire Department;Toni Agvent, MRT Prospect Fire Department; Noreo Gabriel and Larry Calhoun, Prospect Police Department; Jason Eastham, EMT-P; Dave Desmarias, EMT-B and Ken George, (off-duty) Paramedic of Campion Ambulance; Pat Martini, civilian (resident of Prospect) and Team St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Room.
Mayor Chatfield presented a plaque to Dr. Jacobi, who accepted it on behalf of Team St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Room. In order to use the defibrillator a medical license is required and provided by Dr. Jacobi who is involved in the training process for its use.
Mr. Cretella thanked everyone for being there and for their support.
A letter of appreciation from Congresswoman, Rosa DeLauro, expressing her deepest thanks for the outstanding service of many first responders.
The Mayor requested a ten minutes recess.
Robert Doyon called the meeting back to order at 7:40 p.m.
Cindy Gibbons, Town Treasurer, submitted an ending balance report as of November 30, 2004. C. Gibbons stated that she is starting with the basics at this point and will submit a report on a monthly basis.
P. Geary asked how the General Fund Investment Account it invested. C. Gibbons stated that currently the money is invested in two accounts. A money market and the other in a CD. One is at People's Bank and the other at Bank of America. P. Geary asked C. Gibbons if she would continue looking into other investments and would be grateful for her doing so. C. Gibbons stated that she would. Over all the Council was appreciative of the report and thanked C. Gibbons.
Michael Battista, Certified Public Accountant reviewed his Auditor's Report with the Council. The report is broken into three components, the Independent Auditor's Report, the GASB Statement 34 and Reconciliation of the statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances of governmental funds to the statement of activities.
Some highlights reviewed; 2004 the debt decreased by half a million, (12.03%); property tax revenue was very good in back tax collections. Education expenditures consist of 74% of the budget. Eleven percent of the money was used for snow removal due to the winter. M. Battista stated that the town should have at least five percent emergency power.
P. Geary commented that the Council has had the report for one day. She likes the Independent Auditor's Report, and the Financial Highlights on page 10 are beneficial.
Mr. Battista gave general explanations to questions that were raised about the report. Also, after the Council has had time to review the report he would be available to answer questions that the members may have.
P. Geary asked for clarification on "Compensated Absences" Item G., page 34, which states "The Town's employment policy does not provide for the accumulation of vacation time, unused sick leave or other compensated absences." Does this apply to an hourly employee position changing to a salary position and to his knowledge has this always been the Town's policy?
Mayor Chatfield stated that Union Personnel are allowed to 'bank their time.'
M. Battista commented that you would not want to set precedence. In reference to the current settlement of $25,000 it was placed under "Claims and Judgements," page 37.
D. Mirabelle asked if this report was available on December 11, 2004 when it was signed.
M. Battista stated that December 11th was the date that he completed his field work. In the future he will try to have it ready some time in November in order for the Counicl to have more time to review it.
Motion made by D. Merriman to accept the Town of Prospect Annual Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2004. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. Unanimous
Mayor Chatfield introduced Will Siss, Reporter for the Republican-American.
Mayor Chatfield submitted a copy of the Resolution of the Resource Recovery Facility Operating Committee, Refunding Bonds, from the Bristol Resouce Recovery Facility Operating Committee for the Council to review. This will need to be approved some time in March or April.
Mayor Chatfield thanked the Council for the time to honor everyone this evening.
Mayor Chatfield submitted a revenue sheet for the upcoming budget process.
Mayor Chatfield requested the January 18th meeting be held on Tuesday, January 25th because he will not be available on the 18th.
Also, Mayor chatfield requested the Council motion to remove the existing open burning ordinance when the new one has been approved.
Chair's Report:
None
Guests:
Diane Lauber, Tax Collector, apolgized for lateness of the collection reports. Also, Diane
thanked the Council for their continued support in respect to allowing her to budget money to attend
conferences. The conferences are educational and an excellent way to network with fellow tax
collectors.
Diane informed the Council that there is not a large amount of back taxes that are collectible. Back taxes for 1989 and 1990 figures are for US Cap and will not be collected. Her goal is to collect 99% within the next couple of years.
Approval of Minutes:
T. Graveline suggested the approval of the November 16, 2004 minutes be tabled due to the absence of F. Harkins.Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the December 7, 2004 minutes. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
D. Merriman commented that seven Town Council members attended the Board of Education meeting held at Algonquin School on January 3, 2004. The Board of Education and Building Committee discussed the proposed school construction projects and purchase of property.
Correspondence:
Motion made by D. Merriman to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
New Business:
Letter of Resignation as a member of the Prospect Inlands Commission from Douglas Gokey effective immediately.
Letter of resignation from the Republican Town Committee, Marianne Byrne from the Library Board.
Letter of resignation from the Democratic Town Committee, Linda Gorden from the Library Board.
Motion made by P. Geary to accept the resignations of Douglas Gokey, Marianne Byrne and Linda Gordon. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous.
Letter of Appointment from the Republican Town Committee recommending the appointment of Nancy Via of 31 Chandler Drive to the Prospect Library Board.
Letter of Appointment from the Democratic Town Committee recommending the appointment of Lorraine Dixon of 5 Hemlock Road to the Library Board.
Letter of Appointment from the Democratic Town Committee, recommending the continuation of George Carrington to serve as an alternate to the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the appointments of Lorraine Dixon and Nancy Via to the Library Board and George Carrington as an alternate on the Inland Wetlands Commission. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous
No Refunds
Motion made by D. Moschella to reschedule, Tuesday's January 18, 2005, 7 p.m. Town Council meeting to Tuesday, January 25, 2005, 7 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Merriman, R. Doyon, E. Miller, D. Moschella and D. Merriman approve. D. Mirabelle, P. Geary and T. Graveline opposed. Motion carries.
Old Business: None
Subcommittee Reports;
Motion made by D. Moschella to hold a public hearing on Februry 1, 2005; 6:45 p.m. at the Prospect Town Hall on the Open Buring Ordinance. Once approved the new ordinance will replace the existing ordinance. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Motion discussed.
T. Graveline questioned how this ordinance is different from the one that Keith Griffin originally submitted for the Ordinance Subcommittee to review. D. Moschella stated that the town attorney wrote up the ordinance that was distributed to the Council members tonight. T. Graveline requested the clerk to send a copy of the open burning ordinance that is currently on record to the Council members. T. Graveline requested that the public hearing be held on February 1st in order to allow more time to review the ordinance.
R. Doyon requested D. Moschella to contact Keith Griffin, Fire Marshall, to be present at the public hearing to answer any questions that the public or Council may have.
D. Moschella reported that J. Commendatore has requested from other towns a copy of their blight ordinance and is waiting for their response.
D. Merriman stated that an article was in the Prospect Pages from R. Hiscox, Chairman of Planning and Zoning regarding the use of ATV's and Trail Bikes.
P. Geary, Pension & Benefits subcommittee stated that there will be a meeting on Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 3:15 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the Pen Tec report and discuss the pension change. P. Geary stated that the State needs to be notified 90 days prior to enrollment.
D. Moschella questioned if the letter that was submitted from Mr. Art Lagasse requesting pay for his unused sick days would be on the agenda. P. Geary stated that she would schedule another meeting to discuss Mr. Lagasse's request. The purpose of Thurday's meeting is to discuss the Pen Tec report and pension change.
D. Mirabelle stated that at the last meeting he requested a copy of the subcommittee minutes and the signed contract between the Town and G. McCarthy. He received a copy of the minutes and the unsigned contract. D. Merriman stated that he would mail D. Mirabelle a copy of the signed contract.
T. Graveline requested R. Doyon to inquire of the Mayor as to what the status is regarding the property owned by Peter Sydoriak at the intersection of Clark Hill Road, Morris Road and Terry Road following December 7th's meeting.
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Doyon, Chairman