Town of Prospect-Boards & Commissions

Prospect Town Council

Approved Minutes

March 20, 2007

The Town Council meeting was called to order by Joseph Commendatore, Chairman at 7:52 p.m.

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

Members Absent: Douglas Merriman

Mayor’s Report

  • Resolution on Bankruptcy on Adelphia Communication Corporation, et al- (see attached “Schedule A”)

    • Mayor Chatfield discussed the resolution.

    Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the Resolution giving Mayor Chatfield authority to sell 27 shares of Time Warner Cable. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.

    T. Graveline asked what the total shortage was and if the Town is at a loss. Mayor Chatfield was not sure and stated that he will look into it.

    Motion unanimous.

  • Emergency Management Review/ Update-Mayor Chatfield discussed the alternate appointments made to the Emergency Management Advisory Committee. He would like to see all seven members be regular members. The Mayor feels that it will make it easier as we moved forward for training and seminars instead of being concerned about seating alternates etc. D. Mirabelle stated that many of the boards and commissions have alternates for a reason; the more regular members there are the more people you need for a quorum. T. Graveline doesn’t think the Council had a clear understanding of what the purpose and duties of the members of this committee are. She would like to know if they are going to be establishing policy. Mayor Chatfield stated that they will all have background training so that they can go along with everything Homeland Security has been mandating since September 11th. The Mayor is the Director of this Committee by Charter and Bill McCasland is the Assistant Director. D. Mirabelle feels that there should still be alternates.

    • The Council tabled this issue to the next meeting.

    Mayor Chatfield requested that the Council go into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property at 76 Mountain Road.

    Motion made by T. Graveline to add an Executive Session to the agenda. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

    Motion unanimous.

    Motion made by T. Graveline to go into Executive Session at 7:58 p.m. to discuss the purchase of property at 76 Mountain Road. Mayor Robert Chatfield was invited.

    Motion unanimous.

    Motion made by D. Moschella to come out of Executive Session at 8:02 p.m. Motion seconded by T. Graveline.

    No votes or motions were made during Executive Session.

    Motion unanimous.

    Chair’s Report-none

    Guests: none

    Public Participation: Richard Mortensen, Boulder Brook Court mentioned the Capital Plan. It was suppose to be on tonight’s agenda. The Council will make sure it’s on the April 3, 2007 meetings agenda.

    Approval of March 6, 2007 Minutes:
    Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the March 6, 2007 minutes as amended. Motion seconded by P. Geary.

    Frederick Harkins and Roger Kergaravat abstained.

    Motion carried.

    Approval of March 10, 2007 Minutes:
    Motion made by P. Geary to approve the March 10, 2007 minutes as amended. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

    T. Graveline, R. Kergaravat and D. Mirabelle abstained.

    Motion carried.

    Correspondence:
    Letter from Democrat Town Council Members Re: Budget; Time Warner Cable Transaction; Adelphia Bankruptcy letter; Tax Collector’s Report for Feb. 2007; Refunds for March 20, 2007; Letter of resignation from Barbara Peterson; Resolution for Time Warner Cable; and Water Pollution Control Authority handout.

    Motion made by T. Graveline to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by F. Harkins.

    Motion unanimous.

    New Business:

  • Transfers-none
  • Refunds- (see attached “Schedule B”)

    • Motion made by F. Harkins to approve the refunds for March 20, 2007. Motion seconded by P. Geary.

    Motion unanimous.

  • Resignations – already discussed
  • Appointments – None

    • Old Business:
    Sub-committees Reports
    T. Graveline stated that the Land Use Subcommittee met with John Dyckman, the President of the Prospect Land Trust, Mayor Chatfield and Bill Donovan. They discussed and learned a lot about the Prospect Land Trust as an organization. They learned about their bi-laws and open space set asides. T. Graveline stated that it was very informative and a good exchange of information. T. Graveline stated that it was very surprising the expense the Land Trust incurs with the five properties they currently have. P. Geary asked what their response was to the fact that the Town is interested in open space properties. T. Graveline stated that there wasn’t a lot of objection and it was a good discussion. The overriding concern was good use of the property.

    Motion made by T. Graveline to hold a public hearing on April 3, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. for the purchase of 76 Mountain Road for $20,000.00. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

    Motion unanimous.

    F. Harkins stated that he attended a Region 16 budget meeting. He is concerned about the condition of Algonquin School. He would like the Council to officially go and take a tour of the property. The Council asked R. Kergaravat to attend a Board of Education meeting to get some available dates for the Council to tour the school.

    D. Mirabelle mentioned the Emergency Management Advisory Committee and the issue with all the members being regular members. He feels there should be alternates. He would not be opposed to 7 regular members and 2 more alternates.

    Adjournment:

    Motion made by P. Geary to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion seconded by R. Doyon.

    Motion unanimous.

    _____________________________
    Joseph F. Commendatore, Chair