November 21, 2006
The Town Council meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:14 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 Chatfield did not attend the meeting.
Mayor’s Report: Chairman Commendatore stated that Mayor Chatfield is suggesting that a small sub-committee be appointed to make the decision on the CCM Energy Purchasing Program because there is a time restraint. The electric supply pricing day deadline is December 5th, 2006 between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m.
The Resolution on the Steap Grant will be carried over to the next meeting when Mayor Chatfield is in attendance.
Motion made by D. Merriman to move the December 5th meeting to the Senior Center. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Chair’s Report:
The Council reviewed the proposed meeting dates for 2007.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the proposed meeting dates for 2007 canceling the July 3, August 7, and Nov. 6 meetings. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. J. Commendatore, R. Doyon, F. Harkins, R. Kergaravat, D. Merriman, D. Mirabelle, D. Moschella in favor. P. Geary and T. Graveline opposed.
Motion carried.
Refunds:
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to approve the tax refunds for November 2006. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
Public Participation: Lisa Degoes of 22 Apple Hill Drive stated her concerns regarding the Senior Center parking lot. Her concern is how the grant came about and how this was approved when the Town Council wasn’t aware or didn’t fully understand why there was a bonding on this expansion of the Senior Center if a grant was issued. Ms. Degoes stated that the grant was applied for last year and the Town was denied. Later this year the State gave monies to towns who were previously denied grants. In essence the July 3rd Town Meeting was misleading. She is hoping that the Town could maybe find a way to repay the bonding or reallocate the money. Chairman Commendatore stated that he would rather discuss this issue when the Mayor is in attendance. Ms. Degoes also asked about an incident when someone from the nursing home was denied transportation to the Senior Center in order to attend some events that take place there.
P. Geary stated that she did speak to the Mayor after the last meeting and she thought that maybe they can repay the bond with the grant; but the type of bond they received for the parking lot could not be repaid. D. Mirabelle wanted to comment that he didn’t like having the issues of the bond come up right after passing the budget. He doesn’t think it’s fair that they pass a budget and then ask to bond money. J. Commendatore stated that sometimes projects or issues come up where they need to bond money after the budget is approved. D. Mirabelle stated that the last two years that they addressed bonds were not emergencies.
D. Moschella stated that the bonding is always done before a Town Meeting usually at budget time.
Clint Brandien of 5 Oak Court asked what the Town Councils plans are to support 700 more people and 700 more cars after the Toll Brother’s project is finished. Chairman Commendatore stated that most of these questions were raised at the Planning & Zoning and Inland Wetlands meetings. The budget is going to change as well as the revenue to the Town. There are positives and negatives with every development. D. Merriman stated that this development will be taking place over a long period of time; the project is being built in phases. There was further general discussion on the age restrictions.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2006 meeting with corrections. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. J. Commendatore, R. Doyon, P. Geary, T. Graveline, D. Merriman, & D. Moschella in favor. F. Harkins, R. Kergaravat & D. Mirabelle abstained.
Motion carried.
Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2006 Special Meeting. Motion seconded by P. Geary. R. Doyon and R. Kergaravat abstained.
Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Letter from Andy Merola discussing the electric supply pricing day on Dec 5th for the CCM Energy Purchasing Program; Mayor’s Expenditures 2006-2007; Prospect Police Patrol Report October 2006; Refunds November 2006; Tax Collector’s Report for September & October 2006; Zoning Inspector’s Report October 2006; Letter from Inland Wetlands Chairman Arnold Koehler regarding attendance of two members; Building & Electrical Inspector’s Report September & October 2006; Letter from Town Clerk regarding meeting dates for 2007; Letter from Prospect Republican Town Committee regarding an appointment of Robert Kiernan of 8 Boulder Brook Court to the Emergency Management Committee; Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility.
Motion made by D. Merriman to appoint P. Geary & D. Moschella to the CCM Energy Purchasing Subcommittee. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.
Motion unanimous.
A meeting is scheduled for December 5th, 2006 at 12:00 p.m.
Appointments:
Letter from the Prospect Republican Town Committee regarding an appointment.
Motion made by F. Harkins to appoint Mr. Robert Kiernan of 8 Boulder Brook Court to the Emergency Management Committee. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Resignations: The Council discussed the letter from the Chairman of the Inland Wetlands Commission asking to remove George Carrington & Charles Dorman from the Commission. P. Geary stated that it is her understanding that George Carrington resigned.
The Council wants to send this letter back to the Republican Town Committee to remove Charles Dorman. T. Graveline stated that in the future letters like these should get forwarded to each of the Town Committee Chairs.
F. Harkins asked why there is an extra officer on the Police Report. R. Kergaravat stated that he will inquire about this issue.
Motion made by T. Graveline to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle.
Motion unanimous.
Transfers: none Refunds:previously acted upon Resignations: none Appointments: previously acted on
Old Business:
R. Kergaravat mentioned the Safety Committee and stated that he was approached regarding different safety issues in the schools. The folding tables in the lunch room are not secured. R. Kergaravat was also asked to look into getting the voting booths out of the cafeterias. There is also debris building up in the cafeteria. He was also asked about the occupancy/capacity at Algonquin School. These same tables are in Community School and need to be secured. The tables are placed in front of the pads on the walls. A citizen brought these issues to the Board of Education and they are looking into some type of strapping system at the very least to secure the tables. A storage container has been delivered to store some of the extra debris that has been building up in Algonquin School. D. Mirabelle asked about painting the line on Royal Crest Drive.
P. Geary asked if the Public Works contract has been settled. Chairman Commendatore stated he hasn’t heard anything. P. Geary also asked why the bathrooms at Hotchkiss Filed are still not operable. She also mentioned that she would like to be reassured that there is 24 hour coverage by the Police Department even on the weekends.
Motion made by P. Geary to add an Executive Session to the agenda to discuss the Schweizer property. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to go into Executive Session at 7:58 p.m. Motion seconded by P. Geary.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to come out of Executive Session at 8:23 p.m. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. No votes or motions were made during Executive Session.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by R. Doyon to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
______________________________Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair