November 18, 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, Roger Kergaravat, D. Merriman and Charles Mallon.
Members Absent: Carl Graveline
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Chatfield advised Liz Norman has filled the seat vacated by Phil Reed as representative to Chesprocott from the Town of Prospect. Mayor Chatfield also advised the renovations to the property at 49 Talrnadge Hill have been completed. The Mayor advised a stone has been placed in honor of the homeowner that donated the land to the Town; also shrubs and birdhouses are now adorning the property. Mayor Chatfield requested the Council to approve two resolutions for a new minibus. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Resolution to authorize Mayor Robert J. Chatfield to negotiate and execute all necessary Agreements/Contract documents on behalf of the Town of Prospect with the Department of Transportation of the State of Connecticut and to affix the corporate seal. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Discussion: P. Geary questioned if this purchase would be part of a grant. Mayor Chatfield advised a grant would allow for most of the cost and the Town would pay the difference of approximately $7500.00; this amount would be included in the 2009 budget. Unanimous. Motion made by R. Kergaravat to approve the resolution for Non-Discrimination Certification. Motion seconded by C. Mallon. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield requested of the Council to approve the transfer of funds from the Police Overtime Account to the Police Officers' Account #6700.00 in the amount of $25,196.25. Motion made by R. Kergaravat to approve the transfer of funds from the Police Overtime Account to the Police Officers' Account #6700.00 in the amount of $25,196.25, Motion seconded by C. Mallon. T. Graveline questioned if this transfer was for labor. Mayor Chatfield advised that it was for labor. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield requested an 'Executive Session' to discuss Union negotiations. Motions made by R. Doyon @ 7:05 p.m.to approve the 'Executive Session' for discussion of Union negotiations. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous. Motion made by D. Merriman @ 7:19 p.m. to come out of 'Executive Session'. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous. Mayor Chatfield advised the Police Officers had a vote to unionize: 8 No/ 3 Yes.. .2 did not vote.
Mayor Chatfield also advised the thermostats at the firehouse have been recalibrated t» save on energy. The garage doors, unless there is a call during the months of January and February, will be closed. The Mayor also advised a mini-pumper had been sold in October; this would save approximately $2800.00 a year on service and an additional $1200.00 a year on insurance.
Mayor Chatfield also informed the Council, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Sunday, December 3r . The Mayor advised the lights will be lit immediately in front of Town Hall and at the meeting Place until New Years Day. Mayor Chatfield advised there are 15 families on the food list this year. D. Merriman questioned if food baskets would be given for Thanksgiving. Mayor Chatfield advised mostly gift cards would be given; for Christmas it would be food.
T. Graveline questioned Mayor Chatfield if the 'locked-in' price of oil could be renegotiated. Mayor Chatfield advised it could not; next year it would be handled differently. The Mayor also stated the town is locked in for 24000 gallons.
T. Graveline questioned if a determination had been made by Carmody & Torrence regarding the Town Clerk receiving an Agenda by fax or if an original signature was necessary to accept the Agenda. T. Graveline also questioned if a decision had been made for approved or unapproved minutes to be posted to the internet within 48 hours. Mayor Chatfield advised he would look into it.
D. Merriman advised the Safety Committee Sign had been completed. Mayor Chatfield informed the Council the sign will be displayed in different areas of town.
R. Doyon questioned if the Scott Road project would be completed by year's end. Mayor Chatfield advised he expected the project would be completed by March 2009.
Chair's Report: None
Guests: None
Public Participation:
Louis DiMuzio, 54 New Haven Road, presented his case to the Council regarding an easement to his property that began in 1996. The Council advised Mr. DiMuzio due to the lack of knowledge on the situation; the Council could not give an informed answer. T. Graveline and P. Geary requested an 'Executive Session' for the next meeting by the Town's attorney for clarification on this subject. T. Galvin advised he would look into it.
Approval of November 4,2008 minutes:
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes of November 4, 2008. T. Graveline advised to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes of November 4,2008 as amended. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
Board of Recreation Minutes (September), Police Report (October), ST of CT Emergency Management Homeland Security.
Discussion: T. Galvin advised he would ask Officer Nelson Abrazua for a better break¬down of hours for the Police Department; possibly daily or weekly.
T. Galvin also stated the letter from the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security found the Town of Prospect to be in compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Incident Management System guidelines. T. Graveline advised if it has not been done, then the Director Richard Mortensen of the Town's Emergency Management Operations and everyone else that worked on this project should receive a copy of this letter and a 'Thank you'.
P. Geary questioned the minutes of the Park & Rec Department regarding the Prospect Police and their stance as to support of the Town towards inappropriate behavior at the Skate Park. P. Geary also questioned the request of $10,000.00 for stone crushing at the proposed baseball field at Hotchkiss Field. P. Geary suggested of Tom Galvin to request the Director of Prospect's Park & Rec Department, Chris Moffo, to attend the next meeting for clarification on these questions. Motion made by D. Merriman to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
New Business:
Transfers-Action already acted on
Refunds- None
Resignations-None
Appointments - None
Old Business:
T. Galvin stated the Ordinance Committee (T. Graveline, T. Galvin, C. Graveline, & S. Pilat) had met and will be giving information on changes to taxes for the Veterans and Seniors in the future. T. Galvin also stated the Ordinance Committee has broadened the scope of Ordinance #61-07-02-96, without ruining its intent, to cover such cases as the previous two requests by homeowners to the Town Council for Building Permits.
T. Galvin advised the Council of the letter to all Boards and Commissions to approve their schedules for 2009; the approval of the schedule was delayed until the December 3rd meeting.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R.
Doyon. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned @ 8:25 p.m.
Thomas Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn Moffo, Clerk