June 7, 2005
Members Present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Douglas Merriman, Edward Miller, Dominick Mirabelle, Dominic Moschella. Fred Harkins (arrived at 7:05 p.m.) and Theresa Graveline (arrived at 7:09 p.m.)
Mayor's Report- Mayor Chatfield was unable to attend this meeting. R. Doyon stated that the Mayor has requested a special meeting be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 immediately following the school budget referendum to set the mill rate if the budget passes.
Motion made by D. Moschella to have a special Town Council meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at Community to set the mill rate. Motion seconded by J. Commendatore. Motion discussed.
P. Geary amended the motion to indicate the meeting be scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
No further discussion. Unanimous
R. Doyon suggested that the June 21st meeting is rescheduled to Tuesday, June 28th due to graduations and other commitments those council members might have on the 21st.
P. Geary stated that she objects to changing the meeting date because the Council is scheduled to meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Motion made by D. Merriman to change the June 21, 2005 meeting to June 28, 2005 at 7 p.m. Motion seconded by E. Miller. J. Commendatore, R. Doyon, D. Merriman, E. Miller and D. Moschella approve. P. Geary and D. Mirabelle opposed. Motion carries.
Chair's Report: Registrar of Voters Katherine Blinstrubas and Kathleen Vander Eyk presented an informational packet containing some of the Connecticut State Statutes regarding voting locations, storage and maintenance of machines.
K. Vander Eyk thanked the Council for inviting them to discuss the questions and concerns regarding voting locations.
K. Blinstrubas stated that Sec. 10-239 (b) states 'Any local or regional board of education may grant the temporary use of rooms, halls, school buildings or grounds or any other school facilities under its management or control for public, educational or other purposes or for the purpose of holding political use for any purpose of voting under the provisions of title 9 whether or not school is in session, in each case subject to such restrictions as the authority having control of such room or building, grounds or other school facility considers expedient.'
K. Blinstrubas indicated that Prospect falls under Sec 9-169 Voting districts: '....The registrars of voters of any municipality taking such action shall provide a suitable polling place in each district, but, if the registrars fail to agree as to the location of any polling place or places, the legislative body shall determine the location thereof....'
Sec. 9-240. Provision of voting machines and booth. 'The board of selectman in each town, unless otherwise provided by law, shall provide or may authorize the registrars to provide a suitable room or rooms and voting machine booths for holding all elections. The interior of the booths shall be secure from outside observation. Said board shall provide for each polling place, in accordance with the requirements of section 9-238, one or more voting machines in complete working order, and shall preserve and keep them in repair and have the custody of the voting machines, and the care and custody of the furniture and equipment of the polling place, when not in use at an election.
Currently there are 11 machines that weigh approximately 450 lbs. each and cost $357.00 to move one machine. A contractor is generally hired to move the machines when need be, however, it has been advised that the machines are not moved due to the sensitivity of the inner mechanics.
J. Commendatore explained that the issue of moving the polling location was raised because parents approached him and said they were going to put together a petition to get the voting polls out of the schools because they were concerned about the safety of their children.
J. Commendatore asked the registrars if they would mind if her contacted B. Stowell to address having referenda on Saturdays. The registrars did not mind.
The registrars will also meet with the Board of Education to discuss possible solutions.
The Council thanked K. Blinstrubas and K. Vander Eyk for their time.
Public Participation: none
zMotion made by D. Merriman to approve the May 17, 2005 minutes. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Motion discussed.
Correspondence:
Suspense List from Diane Lauber
Zoning Inspector's Report - May
Mayor's Expenditures
Police Patrol Report - May
Tax Collector's revenue report for March and April, 2005
Building Inspector's Report - May
Electrical Inspector's Report - May
Heating Inspector's Report - May
Plumbing Inspector's Report - May
Chesprocott Health District - notice of an Emergency Preparedness for Public Health
Special Mock-Set-up exercise for a Mass Clinic Operation
Letter from Michael Scaviola - Democratic Town Committee regarding the rrecommendation of Carl Graveline to fill the
remaining term of Steven Skrebutenas on Water Pollution Control
Letter from Diane Goss Farrell, First Selectwoman of Westport, CT concerning the Locational Installed Capacity Market
Proposal, Docket Nos. ER03-563 and EL-04-102
Motion made by D. Merriman to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. Unanimous
Appointments:
Motion made by D. Merriman to accept the appointment of Carl Graveline to fill the remaining term vacated by Steven Skrebutenas on the Water Pollution Control Authority. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. Unanimous
Old Business: Subcommittee reports:
D. Moschella, Ordinance Subcommittee distributed a copy of the Street Excavations ordinance that has been submitted to the attorney for review. D. Moschella commented that Permanent restoration of excavated area, is very important.
T. Graveline indicated that there is reference to an annual fee schedule in the ordinance that would be reviewed by the Council once a year in order to avoid having to amend the ordinance each time the fee is changed.
T. Graveline stated that she would like all future ordinances to be written following a specific format for clarity and easy reference.
Motion made by J. Commendatore to adjourn. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle. Unanimous
This meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert E. Doyon, Chair