February 17, 2009
Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: Robert Doyon, Tom Galvin, Stan Pilat, Pat Geary, D. Merriman, T. Graveline, C. Mallon, Roger Kergaravat @ 7:12 P.M. and Carl Graveline
Members Absent: None
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Robert J. Chatfield requested approval from the Council regarding his signing of the Authorization Document for the new minibus. The total amount for the bus is $52,205.00; $40,000.00 of which was received from a grant. Motion made by P.Geary to approve Mayor Robert J. Chatfield's signing of the document for the new minibus. Motion seconded by S. Pilat. Unanimous.
Vincent Leone, Prospect's Assessor, presented an overview of the Grand List. Mr. Leone advised there is an increase totaling $9,402,800 or 1.2% from 2007 to 2008; Real Estate increased by 1.9%, Personal Property increased by 2.6%, and Motor Vehicles decreased by 7.4%, due primarily from a decrease in sales for SUV's and 4 wheel-drive vehicles. C. Mallon questioned if Toll Bros, had any part in the increase of Real Estate. Mr. Leone advised approximately one-half of the increase was from Toll Bros.
P. Geary questioned the members of the Council that are on the Ordinance Sub-Committee, if there would be any "tax abatements" for the elderly or veterans coming by July. T. Galvin and C. Graveline advised it is a lengthy process and would not be ready by July.
Mayor Chatfield requested a transfer within the Library Account from the Staff/Clerk 7350-02 to Contracted Maintenance 7350-06 in the amount of $2265.00 to cover the cost of replacing a defective valve on an Air Handler #2 in the Community Room. Motion made by C. Graveline to approve the transfer of §2265.00 from Staff/Clerk 7350-02 to Contracted Maintenance 7350-06 within the Library Account. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous.
T. Galvin requested a time of 6:30 for the next Town Council meeting of March 3, 2009 for the Budget presentation with the regular meeting following. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the time of 6:30 P.M. on March 3,2009 for the Budget presentation with the regular Town Council meeting following. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
Diane Lauber, Prospect's Tax Collector, requested Refunds in the amount of $3,954.85 for overpayments/duplicate payments and vehicles sold. D. Lauber advised the Council forthe coming month, more refunds will be issued in the amount of approximately $8,000.00 due to overpayments and recommended to keep this line item at the current amount; there is now way to truly know the actual amount needed to be refunded for a fiscal year. She stated the Tax Department is unaware when the foreclosures take place due to the banks keeping the taxes current. D. Lauber stated approximately $19,000.00 has been refunded to date with a balance of $400.00. Motion made by T. Graveline to approve the Refunds in the amount of $3,954.85 for overpayments/duplicate payments and motor vehicles sold. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Chair's Report:
T. Galvin advised D. Lauber has been asked by the Republican-American to list the delinquent taxpayers from the Grand List. D. Lauber stated it is difficult to get a true picture due to the way the computer draws names and the list that the computer did draw is not all inclusive.
T. Galvin asked the Council for a general discussion regarding the upcoming Budget meetings and where to hold the meetings. T. Galvin asked to include Saturdays and perhaps meeting at the Senior Center or at the Firehouse to give more residents an opportunity to attend the meetings. Discussion: C. Graveline commented that it wouldn't matter where the meetings were held; but it would matter to get the word out. T. Graveline suggested showing the entire budget on the internet and into the Prospect Pages with a summary. P. Geary commented through the Prospect Pages and to publicize on the Website would be very effective. D. Merriman stated to get notification to Prospect Pages by February 20th for posting in the March edition. P. Geary suggested getting information on the Website. P. Geary also stated the Budget Workshops should be in one place, to go to either the Senior Center or Firehouse does not serve the purpose. The Council suggested having the Workshops in one place and at the same time. T. Graveline stated a 'Bold' invitation should be extended to the residents and to maybe include 'Coffee And'. T. Graveline suggested setting a Target Date. T. Galvin requested setting the Target Date before the Board of Education Budget.
T. Galvin questioned if the Council would like to change the date for the Tuesday, March 17, 2009 meeting to Monday March 16, 2009. Motion made by D. Merriman to change the meeting of March 17, 2009 to March 16 2009. The Council decided to keep the date of March 17, 2009. The discussion continued regarding the dates and times for the Budget Workshops. The Target Date to be considered would be April 21, 2009 or earlier. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the time of 6:30 P.M. for the dates for the Budget Workshops and regular meetings of March 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st and for the date of Saturday, March 14th @ 9:30 A.M. and also to include the dates of April 7th and 21st. Motion seconded by C. Mallon. Unanimous.
Guests: None
Public Participation:
Lisa Degoes of Apple Hill Road commented on publicizing the Budget through Town Upon the Hill, advertising in the Newspaper or on Public Access. Mrs. Degoes emphasized the importance for the Public to be aware of the Budget.
T. Graveline commented that if people are not able to come to meetings, then the Town should advertise by asking the Public to 'tell us your concerns'; voice an opinion or submit in writing.
D. Merriman finds it discouraging that the Public does not come to the meetings. He commented that if the Public does have a concern to come to the meetings to voice their opinion instead of as in previous years calling a Council member .
Louis DiMuzio of 54 New Haven Road, presented his concerns regarding his previous visit to the Council on November 18, 2008. T. Galvin advised Mr. DiMuzio that he would be allowed 10 minutes and that the Council would not be able to discuss any concerns that were in litigation. Mr. DiMuzio advised his concern tonight was with the administrative part of his on-going problem with the Town and not with the aspect that is in the courts. Mr. DiMuzio discussed his previous experience with Town Council. He was looking for a resolution with the Town but only received a letter from Town Council without any recourse. T. Galvin advised several times, the Council could not speak about any concerns that are in litigation. Mr. DiMuzio stated he was looking for a resolution by March 1st otherwise he would be forced to take a different course of action. T. Galvin advised after the last meeting the Council did have an 'Executive Session' and noted that the resolution would come from the pending litigation. T. Galvin stated this does not mean that we don't care, but the Council can't resolve an issue that is in the courts. T. Galvin also advised Mr. DiMuzio that he was originally asked to speak for 10 minutes but went on for approximately 20 minutes. Mr. DiMuzio advised he had other issues to speak on particularly regarding 'Security Issues' but for a later date.
Approval of February 3, 2009 Minutes: Motion made by R. Doyon to approve the minutes of February 3, 2009. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. 8 Approved/1 Abstained, P. Geary. Motion Passes.
Correspondence:
T. Galvin stated Bill Donovan of Planning & Zoning revised the fee for Inland Wetlands fines from $150.00 to $750.00.
P. Geary stated she was sorry to hear that Bill Sereduct left the Board of Rec. T. Graveline requested a letter of thanks from the Council for his years of dedication to the Town.
Motion made by T. GraveliBe to place correspondence OB file. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
New Business:
P. Geary questioned why an appointment was not noted for the vacany of David Byrne on the Region 16's Board of Education. T. Galvin stated the appointment would be recognized after the Planning & Zoning meeting.
T. Graveline questioned if T. Galvin received notice of procedure for canceling a meeting for a snow delay and rescheduling for immediate action. T. Galvin advised he was not aware of the procedure at this time.
Old Business:
Sub-Committee Reports- The Ordinance Committee scheduled a meeting for Wednesday February 25, 2009 @ 9:00 a.m.
C. Graveline commented that the situation with Mr. DiMuzio was disturbing and suggested to look further beyond the legality issues. C. Graveline suggested a task force to see what is actually happening with this situation. Mr. DiMuzio advised he was not looking for more litigation but for the Council to sit down with him to review his situation. C. Graveline suggested for the Council to gain more knowledge into Mr. DiMuzio's case and to take another look at the situation within the next month. D. Merrirnan advised only the Chairman of the Council could ask to speak with the Town's Attorney regarding this issue; the Council could not make a resolution. Stan Pilat asked for a motion to approve Chairman Thomas Galvin speaking with the Town's Attorney concerning if the money is well spent for litigation between the Town and Mr. DiMuzio and reporting back to the Council. Motion made by Stan Pilat to approve Chairman Thomas Galvin speaking with the Town's Attorney concerning if money is well spent with litigation between the Town and Mr. DiMuzio and reporting back to the Council. Motion seconded by D. Merriman. Unanimous.
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Meeting adjourned @ 8:40 P.M. Unanimous.
Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk