Prospect Town Council

December 5, 2006

The Town Council meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:01 p.m.

Members Present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Frederick Harkins, Roger Kergaravat, Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle, and Dominic Moschella.

Members Absent: none

Mayor’s Report:

Motion made by D. Merriman to go into Executive Session at 7:03 p.m. to discuss Public Works Contract. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Atty. Nick Zaino was invited.

Motion unanimous.

Motion made by D. Merriman to come out of Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. No votes or motion were made during Executive Session.

Motion unanimous.

Motion made by P. Geary to approve the Public Works Contract. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.

Motion unanimous.

Mayor Chatfield discussed bids that were open today for the electric contract through CCM. There were 2 bids total and 7 other towns participated. For the total year we should save about $38,036 in electricity. ($31,050 savings after CCM charges)

The Council reviewed a light bill the Mayor submitted. Mayor Chatfield stated that the Town does have to pay a fee to CCM for the service. A meeting took place today with P. Geary and D. Moschella members of the CCM Energy Purchasing Subcommittee. The Town will not be paying more over the next five years if CL&P increases the generation charges. This program is only for the five largest accounts in Town; the street lights, the fire house, the library, the town hall, and public works. At the end of the five year term the Town will have to bid again.

Mayor Chatfield mentioned that the Toll Brothers contract was signed last Friday. He stated that the Town is going to be reimbursed for some legal fees and Toll Brothers has paid all their engineering fees for Planning & Zoning and Wetlands.

Transfer:

Motion made by D. Mirabelle to approve a transfer of $18,100.00. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

Motion unanimous.

The Council reviewed and discussed the Resolution for State Homeland Security.

\Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the Resolution for State Homeland Security Grant Program. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

Motion unanimous.

The Council also reviewed the Sample Ordinance Regarding Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency. The Council would like the Ordinance Committee to review the sample ordinance. Mayor Chatfield stated that many towns do not have any way of declaring a disaster; manmade or natural.

Motion made by T. Graveline to refer the Sample Ordinance Regarding Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency to the Ordinance Subcommittee. Motion seconded by P. Geary.

Motion unanimous.

Marybeth Knobel, Co-Chair of the Playground Committee informed the Council that they did get their equipment this week for the new playground at Canfield Park. They will start doing some site work this Thursday and over the following week they will probably start installing the playground. She also stated that fundraising is still in progress and they are in the process of applying for grants. They currently have raised $12,500 and their goal is $30,000. The dome at Canfield Park will be removed and the playground will go there. F. Harkins mentioned people driving cars into the play area and parking in the field. Mayor Chatfield stated that the parking issue as well as the drainage problems will be addressed.

Resolution on Steap Grant:
Mayor Chatfield discussed the timeline in regards to the Senior Center parking lot expansion. He also submitted a letter from the Commission on Aging in support of the S.T.E.A.P. Grant. The Mayor further discussed future work at the Senior Center and the parking issue.

Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the Resolution for the S.T.E.A.P. Grant. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.

P. Geary asked what this resolution is authorizing. Mayor Chatfield stated that this resolution is authorizing him to execute the grant. P. Geary also asked why the Town only applied for a $135,000 grant and then bonded for $170,000. She wanted to know why the Town didn’t bond for the full amount. Mayor Chatfield stated that he was trying to save money. P. Geary stated that she is uncomfortable with the costs of the parking expansion. Mayor Chatfield discussed the costs in detail. P. Geary also asked about the inability to use the grant for any other purposes as stipulated and whether or not the Town has to continue the bond. Mayor Chatfield stated that it is bonded out with the road bond money. The interest that’s made can be used to pay the interest on the $170,000 for this year. R. Kergaravat asked when the additions/expansions to the Senior Center are going to end. Mayor Chatfield stated that the Senior Center is very popular and important for socialization. P. Geary stated that the programs that the Senior Center offers are outstanding. The Council asked if we deny seniors from other towns. P. Geary stated that if the Town of Prospect needs to continue to provide larger facilities, more staff, and more parking, she wonders why we can not charge fees to the non-residents. The Council would like to contact Lucy Smegielski on this issue. T. Graveline wanted to comment that she understands that many of the changes are needed but she is disappointed that they didn’t know what the best build out for the parking lot would’ve been prior to asking for funds. She would hope in the future the Mayor would share that with the Council.

R. Kergaravat opposed.

Motion carried.

Chair’s Report:

Public Participation:<

Lisa Degoes of Apple Hill Drive asked if the Town would consider using the Senior Center for other possible uses. Ms. Degoes also asked if the Town would make the Town Council aware if there is a S.T.E.A.P. Grant available for other possible uses.

Approval of minutes:

Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the November 21, 2006 minutes with corrections. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

Motion unanimous.

Correspondence:
DVD regarding Organic Land Care; Sample Ordinance Regarding Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency; Authorizing Resolution of the Town Council FY 2006 State Homeland Security Grant Program; Resolution Steap Grant; Resignation Letter from George Carrington; Appointment letter from Democratic Town Committee; Transfer; Letter from Commission on Aging; Mayor’s Expenditures 2006-2007; CL&P light bill; Zoning Inspector’s Report for November; Police Patrol Report for November.

Motion made by R. Doyon to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.

Motion unanimous.

Motion made by D. Merriman to accept George Carrington’s resignation from the Inland Wetlands Commission. Motion seconded by P. Geary.

Motion unanimous

Motion made by D. Merriman to appoint Stephen Mulhall, 17 Timber Lane, to fill the vacancy left by George Carrington on the Inland Wetlands Commission and appoint David Michaud, 5 Meadow Lane to replace Stephen Mulhall as an alternate on the Inland Wetlands Commission. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.

Motion unanimous.

Motion made by D. Mirabelle to cancel the December 19th, 2006 meeting. Motion seconded by F. Harkins. P. Geary, T. Graveline, & R. Kergaravat opposed.

Motion carried.

Subcommittee Reports:

R. Kergaravat called Nelson Abarzua on Dec 1st regarding the number of Police Officers on the Police Patrol Report. Mr. Abarzua stated it was a computer error and they forgot to cross it off and change it before submitting it to the Council. T. Graveline stated that any documents that are changed need to be initialed. The Council also discussed the issue of coverage for police for the weekend nights. The Town has one full time officer on weekend nights. R. Kergaravat stated that if no one is there the barracks in Bethany would cover. R. Kergaravat discussed the safety issue when there is only one officer working. The Council would like to have Nelson Abarzua come into one of the meetings to discuss these issues.

T. Graveline wanted to raise an issue to the Safety Committee. A car was going the wrong way up Old Schoolhouse Road. Some type of signage needs to be placed where people are able to see; the Council further discussed signage. The Council also asked about the tables in front of the pads at the schools.

Motion made by D. Merriman to add Executive Session to the agenda to discuss the Schweizer property. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.,

Motion unanimous.

Motion made by T. Graveline to go into Executive Session at 8:46 p.m. to discuss the Schweizer property. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.