October 21,2008
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, Pat Geary, Charles Mallon, Roger Kergaravat, D. Merriman and Carl Graveline.
Members Absent: None
Mayor's Report:
T. Galvin reviewed the Authorizing Resolution of the Town of Prospect to deal (to be in an agreement/contract) with Region 5 instead of with the State regarding the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Motion made by C. Graveline to empower Mayor Robert J. Chatfield to contract with Region 5 instead of with the State. Motion seconded by S. Pilat. Discussion: T. Graveline questioned the statement of the Resolution which gives Mayor Chatfield 'authorization and direction to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Prospect Town Council'. R. Doyon questioned if funding would be effected. T. Galvin stated the Town would be with the region (clumped with Meriden and Wallingford areas) and not the State and asked the Council to consider this Resolution. T. Graveline commented on #11 Other Provisions and stated if any documents were considered to be unnecessary or inappropriate, then Mayor Chatfield would need to come to the Prospect Town Council. Unanimous.
Chair's Report:
T. Galvin reviewed the information received from COST (Connecticut Council of Small Towns) regarding meeting FOI timetables for agendas and minutes for all boards and commissions. He explained some towns such as Beacon Falls and Bethlehem are shutting down their websites. T. Galvin stated there is a mandate in place for all minutes to be posted within 48 hours of a meeting, even if not approved. T. Galvin explained if a board or commission of any given town does not maintain their own websites then this mandate does not apply. T. Graveline disagreed with posting the minutes within 48 hour; after the meeting without having been approved. T. Galvin stated the towns that have taken their websites down could still be in violation and may see a fine posted to them. T. Graveline acknowledged this was another unfunded mandate. P. Geary agreed with T. Graveline and stated the minutes following a meeting should be approved before posting. T. Graveline commented minutes currently were to be in the Town Clerk's office within 48 hours. D. Lauber, Tax Collector, stated the Motions were to be handed in within 48 hours and the unapproved minutes were to be in the Town Clerk's office within 7 days of the meeting. T. Galvin stated there would be a meeting conducted by COST on Wednesday October 22, 2008 to define this mandate.
Guests:
Diane Lauber, Tax Collector of the Town of Prospect, presented to the Council a request for a Building Permit for a new roof at 100 Cheshire Rd, which fell under the Town Ordinance #61-07-02-96 (An Ordinance Regarding Improvements on Real Property with Delinquent Taxes). D. Lauber stated the outstanding taxes are on the Grand List of 2005, 2006 and half of 2007 which amount to under $10,000.00. D. Lauber stated the homeowner, Mr. Tom Milton, diligently comes into the tax office regularly since November 2007 paying $300.00 from his Social Security check; prior to 2005 Mr. Milton did not have any source of income. The Council questioned the severity of the roof. D. Lauber advised the roof did have holes but did not know how severe. S. Pilat questioned if there is a formal agreement between the Tax Office and Mr. Milton in place. D. Lauber stated no formal agreement but a verbal one. D. Merriman questioned if any, hov> many residents come hi to pay on a regular basis. D. Lauber stated there are 5 residents currently. D. Merriman advised there is a town grant program available. D. Lauber stated the taxes must be up to date to qualify. T. Galvin stated to have the property properly maintained would benefit the town. C. Graveline questioned if Mr. Milton's parents had medical expenses prior to their demise. Mr. Milton advised that his mother was sick three to four years prior to her passing last year. T. Graveline questioned when Mr. Milton's name appeared on the tax records. D. Lauber stated Mr. Milton's name appeared since 2003 with his parents. P. Geary questioned what the current taxes are. D. Lauber advised $3500.00 per year. R. Kergaravat questioned what the property is accessed at. D. Lauber advised $160260.00 and stated a veteran's exemption of $18,000.00 comes off, leaving the remainder of $142,260.00. R. Kergaravat questioned what problem this is causing to the home. Mr. Milton advised the roof above the dining room leaked and also there is leakage from the chimney area due to insufficient flashing. Mr. Milton also advised he is currently living hi the home. C. Graveline questioned if there are medical liens on the home. D. Lauber advised no medical liens existed on the property. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve a Building Permit to be given to Tom Milton for the repairs of the property at 100 Cheshire Road. Motion seconded by R, Kergaravat. C. Graveline stated this allowance would not be a risk to the Council to approve this permit. T. Galvin stated the property would be worth less if the roof was not restored. P. Geary had a concern as to the ordinance. P. Geary stated the Ordinance Committee needs to take another look at this ordinance to be updated to apply to such a case as this. T. Galvin stated the Council should take Mr. Milton at his word. T. Galvin stated the Ordinance needs to be reworked since the Ordinance was first adapted in 1996 and only a few cases have been passed. D. Lauber stated the Ordinance should have more information that meets these conditions. P. Geary agreed and stated the Ordinance is too vague. C. Graveline questioned if the Town's tax lien would be in first place. D. Lauber stated the Town would always be considered first. P. Geary questioned the cost of the roof. Mr. Milton replied that it would be $8000.00. T. Graveline acknowledged the fact that Mr. Milton had been making payments since November 2007. T. Graveline stated again the Ordinance would need to have a protective mechanism built into it and to be improved upon. T. Graveline stated the Committee does not have the timeframe to rework the Ordinance hi regards to this particular situation, but did state she was in favor of allowing the Building Permit to be issued for the repairs of the property. Unanimous.
Public Participation: None
Approval of Minutes:
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Minutes of October 7,2008. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. 6 Approved/ 3 Abstained, T. Galvin, C. Mallon, and T. Graveline. Motion passes.
Correspondence:
Authorizing Resolution of the Town of Prospect, Memorandum of Agreement, Building Department Reports, and Award Letter for Small Cities Grant, Prospect Republican Town Committee Recommendation Letter, Board of Recreation Minutes for 8/13/08 and Town of Prospect Ordinance #61-07-02-96. Discussion: T. Galvin advised of the Letter of Award to the Town of Prospect for a grant for a Town- wide Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program in the amount of $300,000.00. T. Galvin stated this grant allows for residents to apply for funding and as the funds are paid back monies will become available to other residents. T. Graveline questioned if the total amount of the grant has reached $1,000,000.00. T. Galvin stated he was not sure what the total amount of the grant will be with this addition of $300,000.00.
T. Galvin made reference to the Board of Recreation minutes stating that the minutes received were prior to the Skate Park opening.
T. Galvin also stated Toll Bros, is moving forward. P. Geary questioned again the Affordable Units and their location. P. Geary stated on page 9 of the previously received document all the units seemed to be on the same road and from prior meetings with Toll Bros, it seemed the units were to be dispersed more graphically. T. Galvin did advise referring to when he was on Planning and Zoning; it was noted that there would be Affordables but no indication as to how they would be dispersed other than there would be 5 phases and each phase would have 11 Affordable units in it. T. Galvin advised he will get an answer by the next meeting.
Motion made by T. Graveline to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat. Unanimous. T. Graveline requested all correspondence should be noted under correspondence.
T. Galvin reviewed for the Council the Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security and the Town of Prospect, located in DEMHS Region 5, regarding State use of Funding granted by the Department of Homeland Security. Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security and the Town of Prospect, located in DEMHS Region 5, regarding State use of Funding granted by the Department of Homeland Security. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat Unanimous.
New Business:
T. Galvin gave the Council some insight as to what may be coming in the future in regards to a Blight Ordinance; B. Donovan has been asked to check on procedures of other towns that are demographically similar to Prospect. T. Galvin also stated Planning and Zoning would like to levy a fine, similar to the fine of $150.00 a day that Inland & Wetlands gives, to individuals that find themselves in violation of regulations. Motion made by T. Graveline to revisit and revise Ordinance #61-07-02-96, An Ordinance Regarding Improvements on Real Property with Delinquent Taxes. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat. Unanimous.
C. Graveline questioned since Mayor Chatfield locked in the fuel rate of $3.519, could he possibly renegotiate because the rate is down to $2.65 a gallon. T. Galvin was unsure if this rate could be renegotiated. P. Geary commented that the fuel may go up in the future.
T. Galvin commented on P. Geary's previous question regarding the animal control officer and the officer's time and how it is split. T. Galvin stated the officer would not leave an accident to go to an animal control problem. T. Galvin also commented on P. Geary's question of officers responding overnight to incidents. T. Galvin stated this is due to the lack of officers on duty overnight. T. Galvin stated he would inquire again as to the response from Bethany Barracks instead of coming from the Town's Police Department.
P. Geary also commented on the Board of Recreation minutes for the Skate Park. P. Geary stated the skate boarders are not wearing helmets and she had a real concern. P. Geary also wondered if the Skate Park was monitored.
P. Geary also inquired where the pumpkins for the Pumpkin Festival were purchased from. P. Geary stated 600 pumpkins were brought to Long River Middle School alone, not counting Algonquin and Community. R. Kergaravat stated in previous years the Knights of Columbus were involved. P. Geary stated if the Knights were involved this year they 'out did themselves' and should be given a special 'Thank you'. T. Graveline had a concern regarding the business advertising for 'Kwik Kerbing' which has been displayed outside of Town Hall for several months. T. Graveline stated perhaps it is time to remove the sign especially since most contractors in town only display for a short time once their work is completed.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R.
Doyon. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned @ 7:55 P.M.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk