April 3, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:13 p.m.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Theresa Graveline, Frederick Harkins, Roger Kergaravat, Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle, Dominic Moschella and Joseph Commendatore.
Members Absent: Patricia Geary
Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor stated that regarding the stock in the cable company he is still awaiting the money the Town is owed. We have already received $1,200.00 cash and when the stock is sold we will get the remaining $400.00.
The Mayor mentioned an e-mail he received on several proposed unfunded state mandates. He also mentioned the CCM newspaper. They did a story on the Fire Dept. and the Town Garage.
Motion unanimous.
Chair’s Report-none
Guests (possible speaking time limit set)
Michael Scaviola, Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, mentioned the Emergency Management Committee. There has yet to be a meeting held. The Democrats have fulfilled their appointments that were vacant. Mr. Scaviola also mentioned the Assistant Bill McCasland. The Council set the amount of people to be on that committee and appointing Mr. McCasland as Assistant puts more members on than the Council agreed to. Mr. Scaviola wanted to make the Council aware of this. Mayor Chatfield stated that he feels this is not a political board and he would like to see this board have seven regular members and no alternates. He hopes to have an organization meeting soon and there will be a lot of training involved in the future.
Motion made by D. Moschella to reconsider the number of members on the Emergency Management Committee and change it to 7 regular members and no alternates.
D. Mirabelle stated that the alternates are there when a regular member can not attend a meeting so that specific group has a quorum to meet with. D. Moschella stated that this is an emergency committee. D. Moschella asked what the position of this Commission is. D. Mirabelle stated that his understanding is they are going to set up policies but the Council has yet to see a job description. D. Mirabelle stated that he feels there should be alternates on this committee. D. Merriman stated that he thinks there is a difference in this group with all the training that is going on. R. Kergaravat mentioned that the Council had someone call the Mayor during a past meeting and ask him how many members he wanted on this committee; the Mayor did not attend that meeting. It started at five members and two alternates, if in two years the Council feels this should be changed then they will look into it. T. Graveline stated that the alternates should be expected to be as fully involved as a regular member. An alternate position shouldn’t release anyone of the obligation to attend the meeting. R. Doyon stated that if someone is an alternate for a year and attends all the meetings and has no say they may get discouraged. D. Mirabelle stated this can be said for every board. T. Graveline stated that there has been no organizational meeting of this committee yet. She feels that the Council does not have a whole lot of understanding of what the Committee members are to do. The training may be very important and she is not opposed to all seven members being regular but this was a Council decision and now it’s being challenged.
F. Harkins, T. Graveline, R. Kergaravat, D. Mirabelle and J. Commendatore opposed. D. Merriman and D. Moschella in favor.
Motion denied.
Motion made by D. Merriman to recess the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to come out of recess at 8:30 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Public Participation: (possible speaking time limit set)
Trish Spofford, 14 Overlook Court, was speaking for Lisa Degoes who was unable to attend. She asked if the $290,000.00 added to Road Work will be combined with the $300,000.00 for the Town Garage. She also asked for clarification on how the Town Meeting works. D. Moschella stated that the two bonding issues would be a separate vote from the vote for the budget. T. Graveline stated that this will all be published in the newspaper. Mrs. Spofford also asked for clarifications on the line items for Labor under Solid Waste, Town Roads, Ice & Snow and Parks and Recreation. She also asked where the surplus monies go from last years budget. D. Moschella stated that it goes into the general fund. Each Town should have a certain amount in the reserve fund in order to get a better rating for bonding. Mrs. Spofford also asked if the Council will take a tour of Algonquin School. Chairman Commendatore stated that it will be discussed later in the meeting. Mrs. Spofford also feels that the Council should look into the mileage check that is cut every month for certain Town employees. She feels that they should get paid for whatever mileage is incurred. Mrs. Spofford also stated that she challenged the 4% increase since that amount is not seen in the private sector.
Approval of March 20, 2007 Minutes
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the March 20, 2007 minutes as amended. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. D. Merriman abstained.
Motion carried.
Approval of March 20, 2007 Budget Workshop Minutes
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the March 20, 2007 Budget Workshop minutes as amended. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. D. Merriman abstained.
Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Police Patrol Report; Building Inspector’s Report; CCM E-mail; Naugatuck River Watershed brochure; Letter from Carla Perugini-Erickson, Chairman of WPCA (read into the record) Re: Boulder Brook Sewer Agreement; E-Mail from John Dyckman Re: Conservation Easement; Public Act Re: Conservation Easements and Example of the wording for a Conservation Easement.
Motion made by T. Graveline to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
New Business
Old Business
Motion made by T. Graveline to recommend that the Town of Prospect grants a Conservation Easement to the Prospect Land Trust on the Nettleton property at 76 Mountain Road, which the Town will soon purchase. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by T. Graveline to set a Public Hearing on April 17th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. for the purchase of 76 Mountain Road with the regular meeting immediately following. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.
Motion unanimous.
R. Kergaravat asked what authority the Council has to request individual mileage reports from individuals who use Town gas or Town vehicles. The Council will look into this.
Adjournment
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 p.m. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
_____________________________
Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair