March 7, 2006
The Prospect Town Council meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:02 p.m.
Members Present: Joseph Commendatore, Robert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Frederick Harkins, Douglas Merriman, Dominic Moschella, Theresa Graveline (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), and Dominick Mirabelle. Absent Members: Roger Kergaravat
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Chatfield discussed the $900 transfer of funds into the machine repair account requested by the Registrars of Voters. All voting machines must be examined and certified. The cost of certification is $75.00 per machine and can be done this April when the new mechanic is available. There are a total of eleven machines. Three hundred dollars would be transferred from each of the following accounts: computer account, supplies and canvas.
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the transfer within the registrars of voters’ account. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous
Mayor Chatfield stated Attorney Casagrande was supposed to have the Street Excavation and Obstruction ordinance faxed to his office today but he has not received it. The attorney advises the Council remain a part of the appeal process for statutory purposes.
Mayor Chatfield reported the Department of Transportation will conduct a meeting at the firehouse on Thursday, March 23rd regarding the widening of Scott Road. This project is not related to the pending Toll Brothers proposed housing plan.
Mayor Chatfield submitted a letter with an attachment consisting of instructions for 1099 forms by the IRS from Michael Battista, CPA.
Mayor Chatfield requested the Council adjourn into executive session, including himself, to discuss union negotiations and the purchase of Center Street property.
Motion made by F. Harkins to adjourn into executive session including Mayor Chatfield. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous The Council adjourned into executive session at 7:05 p.m.
Motion made by F. Harkins to adjourn from executive session. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous
This executive session concluded at 7:20 p.m. No other motions were made during this session. (Mayor Chatfield excused himself during the executive session.) Chair’s report: none Guests: none
Minutes: Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the February 21, 2006 minutes. Motion seconded by P. Geary. F. Harkins abstained. Motion carries
Correspondence: Letter from Katherine Blinstrubas, Registrar of Voters Letter from Michael J. Battista, CPA Letter from Jim Borbas, Jr. Letter from the Council of Governments Central Naugatuck Valley Police Patrol Report – February, 2006 Mayor’s Expenditures Zoning Inspector’s Report – February, 2006
T. Graveline requested J. Commendatore to inquire what the in-house vehicle is listed on the Police Patrol report and the mileage reported on the 2001 Ford 4x4.
J. Commendatore commented he will address this issue.
Motion made by R. Doyon to accept the correspondence. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous
New Business: Transfers – none Refunds – none Resignations – none Appointments – none
Old Business: J. Commendatore suggested tabling the Street Excavation and Obstruction Ordinance until the next meeting due to the attorney not delivering it on time for this meeting. All members agreed.
Subcommittee reports: J. Commendatore stated he has attended two Region 16 budget workshops. The administrator’s presented their budget. There is a 6.2 percent increase.T. Graveline questioned how much of their budget is contractual. J. Commendatore stated 3.1 percent is contractual.
D. Merriman volunteered to attend the March 15th Region 16 budget workshop.
T. Graveline reported on the organizational meeting on the Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee which took place tonight. Members of the committee are: T. Galvin - P&Z, G. Baldowski – Conservation Commission, J. Kaufman – Inland/Wetlands, C. Moffo – Board of Recreation and T. Graveline – Town Council. J. Kaufman was elected Chair, G. Baldowski, Vice Chair and C. Moffo, Secretary.
T. Graveline advised the Council that the Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee is under the auspices of Planning and Zoning. It was established in order to align with the Planning and Zoning Regulations regarding Open Space. The purpose of this Committee is to review properties as they become available and present recommendations to the Town Council for the purchase of those properties which would require the use of the Town’s Open Space Funds only. Currently there is a piece of property on Roaring Brook Road, the Schweizer Farm, that has been up for sale, but may have been sold today. The Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee would like to investigate whether or not the property has been sold and inform the owners of the Town’s possible interest in discussing a possible purchase. The property consists of a total of 13.7 acres.
Motion made by P. Geary to have the Chairman of the Land Use Subcommittee inquire as to the availability of the Schweizer property. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous
Chairman Commendatore initiated discussion regarding the Open Space Commission that the Council is considering.
D. Moschella noted there are several commissions that seem to overlap.
T. Graveline commented that they are very similar, but have very different purposes:
J. Commendatore noted that the Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee includes members from Inland Wetlands, Town Council, Planning and Zoning, Board of Recreation, Land Trust and the Conservation Commission already and they should become part of the Open Space Committee which will come up with the Plan.
Ann Stein addressed the Council concerning the committees. In her opinion they are two separate entities. The Conservation Commission and Land Trust began the process of getting the awareness out and getting the ball rolling to identify properties and areas which should be Open Space and restricted from development. One group, the Open Space Committee is the group that will be developing a plan/inventory of the Town of possible land acquisitions for open space. They would advise and recommend to the Town Council what properties should be designated as Open Space. The second group (The Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee) is a financial advisory group. When they spoke about the Open Space Commission at the last Town Council meeting it was more an idea. The Conservation Commission was already involved with the purpose. The new committee should be short term and have goals: to help identify certain properties. A separate committee would consider purchases.
J. Commendatore questioned why would that committee be short term.
T. Graveline – She sees it as a “finite” committee which would identify parcels and present an Open Space Plan to Town Council and then disband.
Ann Stein commented that once the Plan were in place, then the Conservation Commission would take over the oversight of this Plan which is part of their duties in the Town Charter.
Dom Moschella commented that it could be formed again in 5 or 10 years with a different group of members if needed.
J. Commendatore recommended a guide and time-line be developed for this Open Space Committee to follow.
Discussion ensued regarding the number and composition of the Open Space Committee.
Motion made by J. Commendatore to establish an Open Space Committee comprised of one representative from each of the following: Inland Wetlands, Planning and Zoning, Board of Recreation, Town Council; two members from the Conservation Commission and one member from the Prospect Land Trust. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle. Unanimous
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to appoint the following to the Open Space Committee: John Kaufman (Inland Wetlands), Tom Galvin (Planning & Zoning), Christopher Moffo (Board of Recreation), Theresa Graveline (Town Council), Gary Baldowski (Conservation Commission), Albert Mimo (Conservation Commission) and Ann Stein (Land Trust). Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous
This meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________Joseph Commendatore, Chair