May 19, 2009
Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: T. Galvin, R. Doyon, S. Pilat, D. Merriman, R. Kergaravat, P. Geary, T. Graveline, C. Mallon and C. Graveline.
Members Absent: None
Mayor's Report; None
Chair's Report: T. Galvin informed the Council of the progress the Town is making in choosing a banking institution for the Town Accounts when Bank of America closes its Prospect branch.
T. Galvin also informed the Council that the work on Phase I on Scott Road is almost complete.
T. Galvin requested the Council to consider supporting the Resolution for the Non-discrimination Agreement. Motion made by R. Doyon to accept the Resolution for the Non-discrimination Agreement. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Discussion. R. Kergaravat and C. Mallon had specific concerns for the Non-discrimination Resolution especially regarding advertising practices for all Town openings including the Police. C. Mallon questioned the Town's responsibility regarding Affirmative Action. C. Mallon also requested the Town's attorney attend the next Town Council meeting for clarification on the Non-discrimination Agreement and its relation to the Town's hiring practices. R. Kergaravat also raised the question "Who is the Town's Human Resource Officer?" P. Geary requested a motion to accept the Non-discrimination Resolution. Motion made by P. Geary to accept the Resolution "that the Prospect Town Council hereby adopts as its policy to support the Non-discrimination agreements and warranties required under Connecticut General Statutes 4a-60(a)(1) and 4a-60a(a)(1), as amended in State of Connecticut Public Act 07-245 and sections 9 (a)(1) and 10(a)(1) of Public Act 07-142." Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous
P. Geary requested a motion to have Mayor Chatfield and Resident State Trooper Nelson Abarzua attend the next Council meeting. C. Mallon suggested adding into the motion a request to have the Town's Attorney attend the meeting. P. Geary advised C. Mallon that she understood C. Mallon's intent and advised to have the discussion with the Mayor and Trooper Abarzua, and based on the discussion, request the Town's Attorney to attend the Town Council meeting.
Motion made by P. Geary to request Mayor Robert J. Chatfield and Resident State Trooper Nelson Abarzua to attend a future meeting of the Town Council. preferably the next meeting, to discuss hiring practices in general and specifically, some members' concerns about EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer). Motion seconded by T. Graveline
T. Galvin advised he would request both parties to attend the next Town Council meeting.
Guests: None
Public Participation: Christine McAllen, 52 Sherwood Drive, came to the meeting on behalf of Fitzgerald Realty to ask for an extension on the agreement for US Cap on 214 New Haven Road. T. Galvin advised that Attorney John Knott was still in the process of reviewing the agreement. T. Graveline questioned if there was an expiration date to the agreement. Ms. McAllen advised the expiration date was December 15, 2008. P. Geary questioned if there were complications due to the expiration date of the agreement. Ms. McAllen advised that she is waiting to hear from her attorney John Knott and also from the State. T. Graveline advised, once the legalities are completed, it will serve the Town well to proceed with the project.
Approval of May 5, 2009 minutes: Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes of May 5, 2009. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Discussion: Council members requested corrections to the minutes. Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes of May 5, 2009 as amended. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous
Correspondence: Card from family of Helen Cocchiola Carmody & Torrance LLP, RE: Police Appointments and Section 701 of the Charter... Letter dated 5/18/09 Police Hearings Board Ordinance Non-discrimination Resolution Zoning Inspector's Report April 2009 CCM Memo for Delay of Re-evaluation dated 5/18/09 Transfer $5,000.00 from the Library Account dated 5/15/09
Discussion. T. Galvin advised the letter received from the Town's Attorney cost the Town approximately $2,200.00 T. Graveline commented that the amount seemed high and Roger Kergaravat noted it was money well spent if it keeps the Town from potential liabilities.
T. Galvin advised the memo received from CCM, dated 5/18/09, stated the Town could consider delaying the revaluation from 2010 to 2011.
Motion made by R. Doyon to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Unanimous.
New Business: Transfers: A request for a transfer from the Library Account was made in the amount of $5,000. Motion made by C. Mallon to approve the transfer to the Library Account of $5,000.00 from Staff/Clerk 7350-02 to Contracted Maintenance 7350-06. A discussion took place of where the money came from to be transferred. T. Galvin advised due to cancellation of the Library hours for 3-4 snow days this past winter, a certain amount of monies had been left over to accommodate this amount, along with the hiring of a new staff member at a lesser rate. R. Kergaravat questioned if the position was advertised. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Unanimous.
Refunds: None Resignations None Appointments None
Adjournment Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Meeting adjourned @8:10 P.M. Unanimous.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B.Moffo, Clerk