August 19, 2008
Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Tom Galvin, Theresa Graveline, Stan Pilat, Roger Kergaravat, Pat Geary, Charles Mallon and Carl Graveline.
Members Absent: D. Merriman
Mayor Report:
Mayor Chatfield requested a transfer from the End of Year Transfers account for the 2007-2008 budget (See Schedule A) in the amount of $22,326.54. Motion made by R. Kergaravat to approve the transfer from the End of Year Transfers account for the 2007-2008 budget in the amount of $22,326.54. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Discussion: P Geary advised the request stated End of Transfer account but should have been written as End of Year Transfers account. P. Geary wondered why with all the referendums this previous spring, why was there still so much left over in the budget; $2,939.00 from the Town Clerk and $3,000.00 from the Fire Marshall accounts. P. Geary stated the bills that have come in for the end of the fiscal year 2007-2008, should be paid in the next fiscal year; 2008-2009 budget and not with the remaining funds for the 2007-2008 budget year. T. Graveline wondered what items were not purchased to have extra revenue in the accounts, T. Galvin advised the budget for last year was approximately $6,400,000.00 and to have $24,000.00 left over was not an extraordinary amount. P Geary advised the amount of $3,000.00 from the Fire Marshal budget was a large item. P. Geary questioned with all the extra referendums how was the Town Clerk paid. T. Galvin advised he would check into it. Mrs. Mallon from the audience advised that the Registrar of Voters is paid extra. T. Galvin asked for a motion. 7 Approved: R. Doyon, T Galvin, T.Gravline, S.Pilat, R. Kergaravat, C. Mallon, and C. Graveline/ 1 Opposed: P. Geary. Motion Carries.
James C. Agostine the Superintendent of Schools for Region 16 and Bill Stowell the Business Manager for Region 16 presented to the Council an update for the land purchase at 54 Talmadge Hill Rd for the new Algonquin School. There are approximately 47 acres at a cost of approximately $1,500,000.00 and Superintendent Agostine advised this was the best land for their needs in town. Their primary focus is securing the land purchase and having it for future; but not to burden the taxpayers at this time. Superintendent Agostine advised there will be a referendum on October 7, 2008. Bill Stowell advised there will be a Public Hearing on August 20, 2008 at Long River Middle School. He also stated there will be informational meetings in the future to be scheduled. S. Pilat questioned if the Town of Beacon Falls had been informed. Bill Stowell advised that both the town leaders of Prospect and Beacon Falls are behind the purchase. R. Doyon questioned it the State will be helping with any payment for the project. Bill Stowell advised that the State does have a formula for the amount of land, size of project and amount of students. P. Geary agreed with Superintendent Agostine and Bill Stowell regarding the land was the best parcel in town for their needs and stated she was happy the Region was moving forward with purchasing the land for the future. T. Graveline advised the Open Space Planning Committee hoped the Region would consider the greenway on Rte 69 in the Water Shed area to become a Nature Study area. Both Superintendent Agostine and Bill Stowell hoped the Council was in full support of this purchase. The Council agreed it was in full support for the Region. T. Graveline advised the Region needed to get the word out.
Dick Mortensen from Emergency Management (EMPG) advised the Council of the requests for the Resolution EMPG State & Local and Resolution on Stocs Box Application. D. Mortensen advised these are grants from the State for each Town. These grants come with stipulations; some of the money goes to training, some goes for equipment. The equipment would involve radios that would be used if another Town was called to help in an incident and each Municipal agency could be on the same frequency: the Blue Box would carry the radios and chargers and the Red Box would carry the Batteries. T. Graveline stated the State still would own the equipment but the Town would need to maintain it. D. Mortensen advised in the near future the State would be picking up most of the cost for maintenance. D. Mortensen advised the computer for EMPG was purchased through a Homeland Security Grant. He also stated regarding Code Red, Governor Rell will be passing a bill for the Residence Notification System to be paid by the State through the 911 charge on the telephone bills. P. Geary questioned when the Emergency Management Center is used. D. Mortensen advised there are two locations, the Firehouse and the Senior Center. These locations would be used in case of major disasters; where municipal leaders and others could confer on the best procedures to undertake. D. Mortensen advised the Resolutions would allow the Town to obtain the monies for equipment and training but the State is still in control.
Motion made by R. Kergaravat to approve the signing by Chairman Thomas J. Galvin for Authorizing Resolution of the Prospect Town Council for EMPG State and Local Assistance Application Package. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the signing by Chairman Thomas J. Galvin for Authorizing Resolution of the Prospect Town Council (Stocs Box Application). Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
T. Graveline stated a Letter of Agreement has been signed between Planimetrics and the Town of Prospect. The agreement was pared down to the aspects that need to be covered. A meeting was held on August 14, 2008 with Heidi Samokar showing that the Open Space Planning Committee is well on its way.
Approval of July 15, 2008 and July 17, 2008 Minutes:
Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the minutes of July 15, 2008. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. 2 Abstained/ R, Kergaravat and P. Geary. 5 Approve/T. Galvin, T. Graveline, R. Doyon, S. Pilat, C. Mallon and C. Graveline. Motion Carries.
Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the minutes of July 17, 2008. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. 4 Abstained/R. Kergaravat, C. Graveline, P. Geary, and C. Mallon. 4 Approve / T. Galvin, T. Graveline, R. Doyon, and S. Pilat. Motion Carries.
Correspondence:
Region 16 sent a leader requesting to be put on the Agenda for any upcoming meetings that the Council would be having. Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating inspector’s reports, Zoning Monthly Report, Fire Marshal monthly report. A letter received from FEMA congratulating the Town of Prospect for meeting all mandated requirements.
T. Galvin mentioned the Skate Park opening turned out to be a beautiful day and had a great turnout. T. Galvin also gave an updated on the Clubhouse for Toll Bros. He also mentioned the beautiful landscaping at Toll Bros and is yet to be completed.
Motion made by T. Graveline to place the correspondence on file. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat. Unanimous.
New Business:
Refunds: T. Galvin advised of the tax refunds in the amount of $4,848.29. He advised the largest amount was for Jane S. Valetkevich with a wrong assessment. Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the amount of $4,848.29 for tax refunds. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. P. Geary Abstained. Motion Carries.
Resignations - Action
Appointments- David Celotto has been nominated on behalf of the Prospect Republican Town Committee to the Inland Wetlands Commission. Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the nomination of David Celotto to the Inland Wetlands Commission on behalf of the Prospect Republican Town Committee. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
Old Business:
T. Galvin advised that the committee for the Senior Tax Program should get together before the end of the year. T. Graveline suggested meeting before Labor Day. T. Graveline suggested setting a date such as a Thursday or Friday morning at approximately 10:00 a.m.
C. Graveline stated he appreciated the emails from Chairman T. Galvin being that the meetings for the summer for Town Council were far apart.
Adjournment:
Motion made by R. Doyon to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned @ 8:10 p.m.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk