March 3, 2009
Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 7:08 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Tom Galvin, Stan Pilat, Pat Geary, D. Merriman, C. Mallon, and Roger Kergaravat.
Members Absent: T. Graveline and Carl Graveline.
Chair's Report:
T. Galvin began the meeting advising the Council of the resignation of Bob Hiscox, 224 Matthew St., from Planning and Zoning. Mr. Hiscox will be moving on to take the vacancy of David Byrne on Region 16's Board of Education. T. Galvin also advised Jack Crumb of 38 Maria Hotchkiss Road will become a regular position of Planning and Zoning and relinquish his position as alternate.
Motion made by D. Merriman to accept the resignations of Bob Hiscox and Jack Crumb. Motion seconded by P. Geary. D. Merriman thanked Bob Hiscox for his 10 years of service as Chair for Planning and Zoning. Unanimous.
Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the appointment of Bob Hiscox to Region 16's Board of Education. Motion seconded by P. Geary Unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the appointment of Jack Crumb from an alternate position to that of a regular position of Planning & Zoning. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Robert J. Chatfield informed the Council of his visit to the Town of Plymouth. Mayor Chatfield advised the Town of Plymouth is changing its form of government to a Town Manager The Town of Plymouth was interested in the way the Town of Prospect's local government worked.
Mayor Chatfield requested a transfer from the Police Overtime Account to the Police Officers' Account #6700.00 in the amount of $7,331.50. Motion made by P. Geary to approve the transfer from the Police Overtime Account to the Police Officers' Account #6700.00 in the amount of $7,331.50. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield requested a transfer from the General Surplus Account to Legal Fees in the amount of $10,000.00. Mayor Chatfield advised this is a reimbursement to the Town for Legal Fees from a resident for violations of Inland/Wetlands permits. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the transfer of $10,000.00 from the General Surplus Account to Legal Fees. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield requested transfers from Long Term Debt, $45,000.00, Economic Development, $2,000.00, and Fund Balance $10,500.00 for an amount of $57,500.00 to Ice & Snow Maintenance $7,500.00, Ice & Snow Parts $7,500.00, Ice & Snow Labor, $30,000.00, Town Trucks Maintenance $5,000.00, Town Trucks Parts, $7,500.00 for an amount of $57,500.00. Motion made by S. Pilat to approve the transfers from Long Term Debt, $45,000.00, Economic Development, $2,000.00, and Fund Balance $10,500.00 for an amount of $57,500.00 to Ice & Snow/Maintenance $7,500.00, Ice & Snow Parts $7,500.00, Ice & Snow Labor, $30,000.00, Town Trucks Maintenance $5,000.00, Town Trucks Parts, $7,500.00 for an amount of $57,500.00. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Discussion: P. Geary questioned Ice & Snow Maintenance and Ice & Snow Parts and Town Trucks Parts all showed the same amounts of $7,500.00. Mayor Chatfield advised it is an aging fleet but the town is trying to keep it maintained and in order to do so, the fleet needs to be repaired at times. P. Geary stated the Ice & Snow Labor was only at $30,000.00, for most of the storms were on the weekends. P. Geary also commented on how well the roads are maintained. Mayor Chatfield commented, 20 years ago during the whiter, Public Works had three Town Crews picking up litter. Unanimous.
Mayor Chatfield requested an Executive Session to discuss Union Negotiations and Legal Matters. Motion made @ 7:22 P.M by P. Geary to convene for the 'Executive Session' to discuss Union Negotiations and Legal Matters and to invite Mayor Chatfield to attend. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous.
The Council reconvened from 'Executive Session' to the regular Town Council meeting @ 7:45 P.M; no decisions were made or votes were taken.
Guests: None
Public Participation: None
Approval of February 17, 2009 Minutes:
Motion made by S. Pilat to approve the minutes of February 17, 2009. Motion
seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
Tax Collector's Report/January 2009
Building, Electrical, Plumbing, & Heating Inspector's Report /February 2009
Zoning Inspector's Report/February 2009
Letter from Attorney John D. Yarbrough, Jr. (Carmody & Torrance)
Discussion: T. Galvin asked D. Lauber, the Town's Tax Collector to explain the letter. D. Lauber advised Attorney Yarbrough was asked to clarify if an amendment to Ordinance #70-04-20-04 was necessary for 'abatement to all property taxes paid or to be paid by a tax-exempt organization. Attorney Yarbrough advised Act 07-170 does permit abatement but upon Town Council approval and it is only granted to nonprofit land conservation organizations. Attorney Yarbrough also advised the Town does not need to pass an Ordinance and all that is required is "approval by its legislative body".' D. Lauber again advised 'the Act' only applied to nonprofit land conservation organizations. P. Geary questioned the use of 'legislative body'. D. Lauber advised the 'legislative body' is the Town Council.
Motion made by P. Geary to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by C. Mallon. Unanimous.
New Business:
Transfers - Already acted upon.
Refunds - D. Lauber requested a refund in the amount of $331.75 for a vehicle sold. Motion made by C. Mallon to approve the refund in the amount of $331.75 for a vehicle sold. Motion seconded by S. Pilat. Unanimous.
Resignations - Already acted upon.
Appointments - Already acted upon.
Old Business:
The Ordinance committee had met with no specific actions taken. A new meeting will be held on March 25, 2009.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by C.
Mallon. Meeting adjourned @ 7:55 P..M. Unanimous.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk