June 5, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chair at 7:24 p.m.
Members PresentRobert Doyon, Patricia Geary, Theresa Graveline, Frederick Harkins, Roger Kergaravat, Douglas Merriman, Dominick Mirabelle, Dominic Moschella and Joseph Commendatore.
Members Absent: none
Mayor’s Report:
Motion made by P. Geary to adopt the Draft Resolution as amended for the Prospect Historical Society. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
T. Graveline asked what the Town owns regarding this property. The Mayor stated that the Town owns the real property; the buildings themselves. He stated that this resolution is to give the Prospect Historical Society ownership of the collection whether it is located in the house or in the barn. T. Graveline asked for clarification on accession and converse. The Mayor clarified.
Motion unanimous.
Atty. John Knott stated that now that the Town Meeting has authorized the Assignment of the Tax Liens all the documents that the Council received previously now need to be approved.
Motion made by R. Doyon to add the U.S. Cap Resolution to the agenda. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by P. Geary to approve the U.S. Cap Resolution. Motion seconded by D. Mirabelle.
Motion unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield mentioned the newspaper article regarding Algonquin School. The Mayor also discussed the Resident State Trooper Contract that has to be renewed every two years.
Motion made by D. Moschella to renew the Resident State Trooper contract for the period of July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009.
P. Geary asked for clarification on what the $91,000.00 includes. P. Geary also asked about past contracts where it stated that the Town is responsible for 70% of the expense. The Mayor stated that it is the same in this contract as well. He also clarified what is included in the $91,000.00. T. Graveline mentioned the two options for the officers to access the State Police Records Management System (RMS) Network; both options have associated charges. Resident State Trooper Nelson Arbazua stated that every cruiser should have a laptop. Each laptop is $3,000.00 plus a yearly fee. He chose not to have laptops in all the cruisers; instead he opted to have two computers at the office for report procedures. He didn’t want the Town to pay for a laptop for each cruiser and each officer. T. Graveline questioned the Town’s ability to meet the requirements for the State Police. Trooper Arbazua stated that he doesn’t feel that this is the right time for the Town to use the program yet.
Motion unanimous.
The Mayor mentioned a transfer request from the Registrars in the amount of $5,550.00 from the general fund.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the transfer request from the Registrars in the amount of $5,550.00. Motion seconded by P. Geary.
Motion unanimous. >
The Mayor mentioned a meeting with the Regional Planners. He submitted a pamphlet titled “The Land We Need for the Water We Use”. The Mayor just wanted to inform the Council that the Committee will be meeting on this and will also be looking into grants and recommendations from the Council.
Motion made by P. Geary to move appointments on the agenda. Motion seconded by F. Harkins.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by P. Geary to re-appoint Michael Battista as the Town auditor. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
Motion unanimous.
The Mayor mentioned holding a Special Meeting Friday June 8th to set the mill rate if the budget passes, set possible meeting date for a Town Meeting or a Referendum Date, Mini-Tax discussion, and a year end transfer. Also, if the referendum doesn’t pass the Town Meeting has to be on the tenth day after the referendum and the next referendum can’t be held less than seven days and no more than 14 days after the previous referendum.
The Mayor stated that he had a request from a Council member for the W2’s with Town employees names and the amount they made. After he reads them into the record he will hand them over to D. Mirabelle.
Mayor Chatfield read into the record W2’s for all Town Employees as well as their salary for the calendar year January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. The Mayor also discussed Gene McCarthy’s salary, the Assistant Director of Public Works. Mr. McCarthy saves the Town on thousands of dollars for doing things himself rather than hiring an engineer. The Mayor read into the record a detailed job description from Gene McCarthy for the Assistant Director of Public Works position. R. Kergaravat asked if Gene McCarthy has an engineering degree; the Mayor stated that he doesn’t. The Mayor stated that he will have the other information at the next Council meeting. Mayor Chatfield placed the W2’s on the table in front of D. Mirabelle at his request. D. Mirabelle stated that he also asked for the contractors and vendors information as well. He stated that he wanted to have this information prior to the vote. The Mayor stated that he made recommendations on the budget, it was discussed and adopted by the Council; there were no private meetings. The Mayor stated that he has spoken with Theresa on the phone at least once a week for 7-8 years. P. Geary stated that all nine members of this Council were involved in the original cuts when the budget was first presented. Also, with regard to the referendum, she and F. Harkins indicated that they were unable to attend the May 17, 2007 meeting due to prior commitments; however, she made sure that she called and spoke to T. Graveline. She then talked to F. Harkins and also tried contacting D. Mirabelle but was unsuccessful. D. Mirabelle stated that he doesn’t feel the last recommendations came from all the Town Council members. R. Kergaravat stated that in the future, Council members should be meeting with the head of each department to decide where they can decrease line items. He feels it should be the Council members, the department heads and the Mayor determining the decreases in the budget. J. Commendatore stated that the procedure is that the Council can ask the head of any department to come before the Council. Nelson Arbazua asked if he can double check the W2’s that were submitted into record to ensure that the addresses of all police officers were removed. R. Kergaravat stated that D. Mirabelle asked for the information he did not ask for it to be read into the record to the public, the Mayor took it upon himself to read it into the record.
Guests: Diane Lauber, Prospect Tax Collector, mentioned the Annual Suspense Report. Names on list are accounts that are deemed to be uncollectible. Some of them are deceased, moved or unable to contact them. There are also two refunds. Mrs. Lauber wanted to comment on some of the discussion tonight. Each dept. head is asked where the budget can be cut. Her salary is out there for everyone to see. She feels that most of the dept. heads are available when asked. Each dept. head gives the Council the accountability and the employees are well worth the 2.75%. The Mayor has spoken with the dept. heads and asked what can be decreased. T. Graveline stated that each one of us sits at the Council table and each one has the opportunity to take part in this process. The Mayor prepares the initial budget and makes recommendations. The Council has the ability to make recommendations and decisions as a body. If a person chooses to do their homework they go through the budget, discuss, process and then make a decision. The Council is provided with every single piece of information needed, what the Council members chose to do with the information is up to them. She is entitled to speak with the Mayor about the budget as a responsible Council member. She sits here as a member of a team who has a responsibility to look at this budget regarding every item. D. Moschella stated that he is usually at the Town Hall talking to the Mayor discussing the budget and other issues at least once or twice a week. If you have any questions you ask. D. Merriman is also at the Town Hall frequently.
Public Participation: Nancy Via, Chandler Drive thanked the Council on behalf of the Prospect Historical Society for passing the Resolution.
Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the May 15, 2007 regular meeting minutes as amended. Motion seconded by D. Moschella. R. Kergaravat abstained.
Motion carried.
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to amend the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Budget Workshop as submitted in Schedule “D” attached. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.
D. Mirabelle read into the record the letter he submitted regarding omissions he felt should be added to the minutes. T. Graveline stated that she does not support the amendment in the letter D. Mirabelle submitted stating that she and the Mayor met privately. There was general discussion. Chairman Commendatore referred to Robert’s Rules regarding summarizing matters discussed at a meeting. J. Commendatore stated that he is not in favor of the additions to the minutes. D. Moschella asked D. Mirabelle if he is asking that the Mayor not meet with any members of the Council. D. Mirabelle stated that is not what he is saying; he just feels that if this was said at the meeting it should be inserted into the minutes. Chairman Commendatore asked for a roll call vote.
R. Doyon, T. Graveline, D. Merriman, D. Moschella, and J. Commendatore opposed. Geary and F. Harkins abstained. R. Kergaravat and D. Mirabelle in favor.
Motion denied.
Motion made by T. Graveline to amend the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Budget Workshop as recommended by T. Graveline. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. P. Geary and F. Harkins abstained.
Motion carried.
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes as amended of the May 17, 2007 Budget Workshop. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. F. Harkins and P. Geary abstained. R. Kergaravat and D. Mirabelle opposed. R. Doyon, J. Commendatore, T. Graveline, D. Moschella and D. Merriman in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to amend the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Special Meeting as submitted in Schedule “D” attached. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat.
D. Mirabelle read into the record the omissions he feels should be added to the minutes. T. Graveline asked where these statements need to be inserted. J. Commendatore doesn’t agree with the comments that D. Mirabelle wants added to the minutes. He doesn’t feel this discussion needs to be in the minutes of the Town Council meeting.
T. Graveline, R. Kergaravat, D. Merriman and D. Mirabelle in favor. R. Doyon, D. Moschella and J. Commendatore opposed. P. Geary and F. Harkins abstained.
Motion carried.
Motion made by R. Kergaravat to amend the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Special Meeting as recommended by R. Kergaravat. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. P. Geary and F. Harkins abstained.
Motion carried.
The Council discussed the process when voting on amendments to the minutes.
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Special Meeting as amended. Motion seconded by D. Moschella.
P. Geary and F. Harkins abstained.
Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Letter of thanks from the Paolino Family; Draft Resolution for the Prospect Historical Society (Schedule “A”), Resolution for U.S. Cap (Schedule “B”); Certification for Renewal of Resident State Trooper for the period of July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009 (Schedule “C”); Corrections to minutes submitted by Dominick Mirabelle (Schedule “D”); Transfer request from Registrars of Voters Office (Schedule “E”); Tax Refunds June 5, 2007 (Schedule “F”); Mayor’s Expenditures; Letter from Diane Lauber; Tax Collector and Annual Suspense List; Robert’s Rules clarification on what to include in minutes; Letter from Carmody and Torrance Re: Procedures for Town Meetings and Referendums; State of Connecticut Re: Resident Trooper renewal letter/contract; Brochure Re: The Land We Need for the Water We Use, Article Re: Algonquin School.
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the addition of those accounts submitted by Diane Lauber, Tax Collector, to the Suspense List. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.
Motion unanimous.
Motion made by P. Geary to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by D. Merriman.
Motion unanimous.
D. Mirabelle discussed what he requested regarding the names of the employees, and hours they work. He wants it to be clear for anyone as public information. There was general discussion. P. Geary wanted to talk about this budget because she was unable to be here the night the Council discussed the budget. The Council worked very hard on the original budget, she didn’t support the original 4% but she feels the Council came to a good compromise of 3.3%. She understands that because the budget was rejected the Council had to cut the salaries. In a discussion with T. Graveline she would’ve liked to cut them to 2.9%. She doesn’t agree with the cutting of employees salaries because the budget was denied. P. Geary mentioned D. Mirabelle’s request for a 0% increase. She feels this is unimaginable and unrealistic. Although she is not happy particularly with the cuts that were made with regard to employee’s salaries, realistically this is a reasonable budget. We haven’t had to cut particular services for the people of the Town of Prospect. P. Geary stated that she will support this budget for the vote this week. D. Mirabelle stated that he is totally against a budget unless he gets all the information. He requested this information so that he can look through everything and see where it can be cut. He doesn’t have anything against Town Employees. There is still information he requested that he wants to receive. There was general discussion. P. Geary stated that the Council has been working on this budget since March. The Council did know what they were making an hour, as they went line by line they discussed the hourly rate of the employees. The Council also asked if an employee was full time or part time and the Mayor responded. P. Geary stated that there are people who deserve more and there were at least three people that the Council decided to give a higher raise to. When the budget was cut their salaries were cut as well. D. Moschella asked why D. Mirabelle didn’t ask for this information at the very beginning instead of waiting until the last minute. R. Kergaravat stated that during the budget there were reasons the Council asked for vendor information. The Town is using an oil company that is 25 cents a gallon more than any other oil company in surrounding towns. The Town could possibly look into using other vendors. D. Moschella mentioned that he thinks that the Town has a service contract and is getting a good rate on oil.
Motion made by D. Mirabelle to tape the Town Council meetings. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat.
P. Geary stated that she would prefer that someone video tape the meetings and make use of public access television. J. Commendatore stated that he would support having someone filming at their own expense.
J. Commendatore abstained.
Motion carried.
Motion made by P. Geary to contact Woodland High School and inquire about having a student film the Town Council meetings perhaps as their Senior Project. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat.
Motion unanimous.
D. Merriman handed out a survey regarding safe driving. The Council briefly discussed the survey.
Adjournment:
Motion made by P. Geary to adjourn this meeting at 9:37 p.m. to a Special Meeting on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. for the following purposes: Set Mill Rate – At Old or New Level, Set Possible Budget Workshop, Set Possible Meeting Dates – Town Meeting Budget, Possible Referendum Date, Mini Tax Discussion and Year End Transfers. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat.
Motion unanimous.
_______________________________Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair