September 6, 2005
The Town Council meeting was called to order by Robert Doyon, Chair at 7 p.m
Members present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Roger Kergaravat, Douglas Merriman and Dominick Mirabelle Members absent: Frederick Harkins and Dominic Moschella
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Chatfield stated that this past weekend he and approximately 30 other volunteers helped collect donations for the hurricane relief fund from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon. Mayor Chatfield introduced three young visitors, Sarah Dwyer, Kalee Higgins and Nicole McCurrey, all of Prospect, who took it upon themselves to set up a lemonade stand at Hotchkiss Field this past Saturday to collect donations for the hurricane relief fund. They raised a total of $65 and presented this to Mayor Chatfield. Mayor Chatfield reported this would bring the total amount of money donated over $12,500 and he is confident that the final figure will be over $13,000. This money will be donated to the American Red Cross Chapter that needs it the most.
Mayor Chatfield submitted a letter from Attorney John Yarbrough of Carmody & Torrance concerning an advisory referendum. Based on a review of Connecticut Statutes and case law, and Prospect’s Town Charter, a referendum on an advisory basis is not permissible because no legal authority exists for it, and because case law exists that ruled that an advisory referendum was not permissible in similar circumstances.
Mayor Chatfield also submitted a letter from the Connecticut Water Company concerning land that may be available for disposition in the future. Mayor Chatfield has requested a map showing the locations of the land that may be available.
T. Graveline asked Mayor Chatfield if there has been any update concerning the draft street excavations ordinance that was sent to Attorney Yarbrough some time ago. Mayor Chatfield indicated that he has not received anything to date and will check into.
Mayor Chatfield requested that the Council add an executive session to the agenda to discuss an update concerning the Anthem Blue Cross settlement, including the Mayor.
Motion made by D. Merriman to add executive session concerning the Anthem Blue Cross settlement to the agenda. The executive session is to include Mayor Chatfield. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn to executive session including Mayor Chatfield. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous The Council went into executive session at 7:10 p.m.
Motion made by T. Graveline to come out of executive session. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle. Unanimous Executive session concluded at 7:13 p.m.
Motion made by P. Geary to add an additional non-union employee to the list of those 10 non-union employees receiving settlement awards of $2,000 each resulting from the Anthem Blue Cross demutualization. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle. Unanimous
Chair's Report: none
Public Participation: none
Minutes:: Motion made by P. Geary to approve the August 16, 2005 minutes. Motion seconded by J. Commendatore. J. Commendatore, R. Doyon, P. Geary, F. Harkins, R. Kergaravat and D. Merriman approve. T. Graveline and D. Mirabelle abstain. Motion carries.
Correspondence: Letter from the Connecticut Water Company Letter from Attorney John Yarbrough concerning an advisory referendum Letter from a Prospect taxpayer concerning the storage of boats on private property >/br>Tax Collector’s revenue reports for May, June and July 2005
Motion made by T. Graveline to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by J. Commendatore. Unanimous
New Business: Transfers: none
Motion made by P. Geary to add Tax Refunds to the agenda. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous
A listing of tax refunds submitted by Diane Lauber, Tax Collector was reviewed. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the tax payer’s refunds. Motion seconded by J. Commendatore. Unanimous Resignations: A letter of resignation from George Carrington from the Prospect Water Pollution Control Authority dated July 27, 2005, recorded with the Town Clerk August 26, 2005. Resignation notification of Martin Atkins from the Prospect Water Pollution Control Authority dated August 24, 2005. Appointments: Letter from Michael Scaviola, Democratic Town Committee recommending the appointment of Carla M. Perugini-Erickson of 19 Rachel Ann Court to fill the remaining term vacated by George Carrington on the Water Pollution Control Authority. Motion made by D. Merriman to accept the recommendation of Carla M. Perugini-Erickson of 19 Rachel Ann Court to fill the remaining term vacated by George Carrington on the Water Pollution Control Authority. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle. Unanimous Old Business: none Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle. Unanimous This meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ Robert E. Doyon, Chair