February 19, 2008
Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 7:00 P.M.
Members Present:
Mayor's Report: Vincent D. Leone, Assessor, Town of Prospect, presented to the Council, the summary of the October 1, 2007 Grand List in comparison to the October 1, 2006 Grand List. Mr. Leone showed through the report an increase in Real Estate @ 1.3%, Personal Property @.2% and \ Motor Vehicles @ 1.5%, with an overall increase of 1.6% totaling $12,565,272. David Byrne, the Vice Chairman of Region 16 Board of Education, introduced the new Superintendent, Mr. James Agostine. Superintendent Agostine presented to the Council a "Thumbnail Sketch" of his plans. He expressed his gratitude to his staff for their hard work and dedication in the district. Superintendent Agostine stated that he has set forth a Transitional Plan consisting of 3 major areas over the next 90 days.
Both towns need to be supportive to implement education and awareness at the lower grades to help the children to be safe. T. Galvin asked Superintendent Agostine if there was any word on the potential land purchase for Algonquin School. Superintendent Agostine stated that this project would need to be justified to the state. He also advised that there are some possibilities and that this project is being worked on very diligently. S. Pilat was introduced to Superintendent Agostine as a Sub-Committee member. S. Pilat advised that the Town of Prospect is behind the rebuilding of Algonquin School. S. Pilat also advised Superintendent Agostine to feel free to call upon the Boards and Committees to help this project move forward.
Appointments: A letter from the Prospect Republican Town Committee was read recommending Lisa DeGoes, of Apple Hill Dr. to fill the vacancy left by Greg Zupkus on the Region 16 Board of Education. Motion made by D. Merriman to appoint Lisa DeGoes to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous. Mrs. DeGoes thanked the Council for their support and stated that she is looking forward to working with everyone.
Transfers: Mayor Chatfield submitted the transfer to Social Security from the General Fund $15,000.00 and from the Police Overtime Fund to Social Security $6000.00. Motion made by S. Pilat to approve transfer from the General Fund to Social Security in the total amount of $15,000.00 and $6000.00 from the Police Overtime Fund to Social Security. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Unanimous.
T. Galvin gave an update from Mayor Chatfield on the Scott Road project. The bids are due on Apri 6, 2008. The actual state date for the project will be either August 2008 or September 2008.
T. Galvin stated that the regular meeting of the Prospect Town Council will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at the Firehouse. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the date of Tuesday, March 4, 2008 for the regular meeting of the Prospect Town Council to be held at t he Firehouse. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
T. Galvin also stated that the first budget meeting on 2008 will be held on Monday, March 10. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the date of Monday, March 10, 2008 to be held at the lower level of Town Hall, for the budget meeting. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Chair’s Report: None.
Public Participation: David Byrne, Rockridge Terrace, Vice Chairman Region 16 Board of Education, applauded the Council for approving the recommendation of Lisa DeGoes to the Board of Education. He stated that there are three remaining vacancies to be filled.
Mr. Byrne approached the Council with an inquiry as to moving the existing election sites in the schools to other areas. Mr. Bryne stated that not only does this create a disruption to the normal school day with all of the doors being open, it is also a security risk. He stated that currently this subject is only a discussion, there is no deadline. He will be approaching the registrars for their input on this subject.
Mr. Byrne stated that due to a few incidents that have occurred at Woodland High School, Prospect and Beacon Falls should be joining with the Drug and Alcohol Task Force to bring awareness of what is happening in the schools to all grade levels. He suggested creating a committee to look at polices and procedures that would educate. This is not a rampant problem but it does occur. The education would take place only in the schools, public policies cannot be created. This would also expand to all safety issues (car accidents) within the towns. Mr. Byrne suggested the Resident Trooper, Youth Services and representatives from the community could come together to form an independent committee to help devise a framework that could prevent future tragedies. S. Pilat suggested having recent high school graduates, who are more open with their peers, to be on the committee to discuss their experiences. Mr. Byrne also advised the Council that more safety programs are evident toward prom and graduation time.
Mr. Byrne advised the Council that the Board of Education is being as frugal as possible with the land purchase for Algonquin School. The land purchase would need to be 15 to 20 acres. Mr. Byrne also stated that the Board is in active negotiations on a few of these properties. When asked about the land near the firehouse, Mr. Byrne explained that there is a substantial amount of wetlands and a steep drop off to one side, also land is not wide enough in the area to make a road. The land would need to be near a waterline, wells cannot be used and a new waterline would be costly.
Approval of February 5th Meeting Minutes: Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the February 5, 2008 Minutes. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Unanimous.
Correspondence: Board of Recreation Minutes, October 12, 2007 & January 9, 2008; both has discussion of the Skate Park. Anne Marie Burr, primary organizer for the Skate Park, advised the Council that on Saturday, February 23, 2008, there will be a fundraiser held at Addona’s Catering on Rt. 69 featuring a 50 – 60’s theme, from 7 to Midnight. She also advised that last month $2800.00 was raised from a Country Music night. In the upcoming weeks, there will be a tournament of Guitar Hero and Madden for the children to raise money. Anne Marie also advised that the Board of Recreation was meeting this evening to discuss the wording for the bidding to go out for Skate Park. A date for the actual dedication of the park has not been set. The Skate Park committee is hoping that the Board of Recreation will consider a permanent site for the park to alleviate the need to fundraising began, $22,000.00 has been raised. Dave Jones of Prospect Dairy Bar is creating a website, www.mattkenney.org. It will be up and running by the end of the week. By accessing the website, the public will be able to make donations, find events that are taking place, and look at the Skate Park Design.
Council of Government: A draft proposal of electronic waste recycling regulations to educate the public on certain ways to get rid of waste. Doug Merriman stated that once a year does not seem to be enough; the public should be able to rid waste more often and it should be just for out town. Building, Electric, Plumbing, and Heating reports for January 2008. CIRMA: The Town of Prospect made CIRMA’s 2006-2007 Annual report because of CIRMA’s response to the Town Garage’s fire. Due to their quick response, the snowplow were up and running for a snow storm that was approaching. Motion made by D. Merriman to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Charles Mallon requested a copy of the Fire Marshal’s report. C. Graveline advised to place the Assessor’s report on file also. Unanimous.
New Business: Transfers – Already acted on Refunds – 5 Refunds - $5, 161.57. Motion made by C. Graveline to approve refunds on 2/19/08 in the amount of $5,161.57. Motion seconded by C. Mallon. Unanimous.
Appointments – Already acted on Subcommittees – No subcommittee reports. By the next meeting, T. Galvin suggested that the Council should take a look at the ordinances and also would like to get committees approved by the time of recommendations for the budget.D. Merriman advised that he is writing a monthly article for the Prospect Pages. The 2nd part of the article this month will be the budget costs for recycling and 4 types of recycling at Plank Road. He also stated that in the March edition he will address tonnage and population growth; 1993 – 2007. In the April edition, he will be addressing the amounts of material that is entered and exited from our recycling center. The goal would be to increase the amount of garbage that goes to Bristol and to recycle more of the recyclables. He would like to see more recycling at the schools and Town Hall.
Adjournment: Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by S. Pilat. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
___________________Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
___________________Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk