May 5, 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:
Motion made by D. Merriman to table the Mill Rate to a future date. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
Mayor Robert J. Chatfield presented the CCM Municipal Service Awards. The Executive Director of CCM, Jim Finley, honored the recipients and advised it is the people at this level of government that mean the most and thanked all the recipients.
The awards were given to recipients with 25 years or more of service to the Town of Prospect.
Jim Finley, the Executive Director of CCM, presented to Mayor Chatfield a plaque for bis longevity as a Chief Elected Official.
Mayor Chatfield requested a recess for the reception to honor the recipients. A recess was taken @ 7:16 P.M. The Council reconvened @ 7:45 P.M.
Mayor Chatfield informed the Council of the information the Mayor's Office is receiving about the H1N1 Flu Virus.
Mayor Chatfield also informed the Council of the opening of the Phase I Scott Road Project.
Mayor Chatfield requested a motion for a resolution for the Town to utilize any one of the following banks; Webster, Naugatuck, Peoples, Wachovia or Wells Fargo for the Town's banking needs. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Town to utilize any one of the following banks; Webster, Naugatuck, Peoples, Wachovia or Wells Fargo for the Town's banking needs. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Unanimous. Discussion: T. Graveline commented on the convenience of having a bank located in Town.
Mayor Chatfield advised a new Town Police Officer, Christopher Getts, was sworn in on April 21, 2009. Mayor Chatfield also gave to the Council previous recommendations for Police Officers that were previously sworn in to become a member of the Prospect Police Department. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the appointment of Christopher Getts as the new Town Police Officer. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. 8 Approved/1 Abstained, Roger Kergaravat. Resident Trooper Contract: Mayor Chatfield requested approval for the Resolution for the Resident State Trooper contract. The new Resident State Trooper Contract would begin July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011. Motion made by C. Mallon to table the signing of the Resident State Trooper Contract until the Council could speak with the Town Attorney for clarification on the Town Charter in relation to the Council's responsibilities according to the Charter. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. P. Geary requested a recess to Caucus @ 8:04 P.M. The regular meeting reconvened @ 8:06 P.M.
A discussion took place requesting clarification on the responsibilities of the Town Council according to the Charter and the Resident State Trooper Contract.
Motion made by R Doyon to convene @ 8:25 P.M. for an 'Executive Session' and to invite Mayor Chatfield and Resident State Trooper Nelson Abarzua to discuss the Resident State Police Contract. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous.
The regular session of the Town Council meeting reconvened @ 9:42 P.M. No motions passed or votes taken. Motion made by D. Merriman to reconvene to the regular meeting. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.
Chair's Report:
T. Galvin informed the Council of the letter received from Joseph Geloso d/b/aVilla Rosa Catering to Chairmen Perugini-Erikson of the Prospect Water Pollution Control Authority regarding the 25 acres on Rte 69 across from Pond Place and access to the sewer line.
T. Galvin read into the record the letter from Michael R. Scaviola, Democratic Town Committee Chairman. Chairman Scaviola referenced the letter received from Thomas Galvin. the Chairman of Town Council dated April 8, 2009, regarding the recommendation of Carl Graveline to temporarily fill a vacant position on ZBA and 'the interpretation of the Charter.' Chairman Scaviola advised 'Carl Graveline decided to remove himself from consideration for the position'. Motion made by P. Geary to remove from table the motion to temporarily table the recommendation of Michael R. Scaviola, Democratic Town Committee Chairman, for the appointment of C. Graveline to fill the position on the ZBA. Motion seconded by R. Kergaravat. Unanimous.
Guests: None
Public Participation: None
Correspondence:
Daily Report-HIN 1 Flu Outbreak
Letter to Chairwoman, Perugini-Erikson of the Water Pollution Control Authority
New Officer Appointment
Certification of Resident State Trooper Contract
Resident State Trooper Contract
Tax Collector Report/March 2009
Police Report/April 2009
Fire Marshal Report/April 2009
Building, Electrical, Plumbing, & Heating Inspectors Reports/April 2009 Refunds for May 5, 2009
Letter from Michael R. Scaviola, Democratic Town Committee Chairman dated 5/4/09.
Motion made by P. Geary to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. Unanimous.
Approval of April 21, 2009 minutes:
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the minutes of April 21, 2009. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. R. Kergaravat stated changes need to be made to the minutes on page 2, paragraphs 3 and 4. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the minutes of April 21,2009 as amended. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. 5 Approved/3 Abstained, S. Pilat, T. Graveline, C. Mallon/1 Opposed, R. Kergaravat.
Refunds:
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the Refund of May 5, 2009 in the amount of S35.20. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.
Motion made by C. Mallon to remove from table the motion to table the signing of the Resident State Trooper Contract until the Council could speak with the Town Attorney for clarification on the Town Charter in relation to the Council's responsibilities according to the Charter. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Unanimous. T. Graveline questioned if C. Mallon still would like the Town Attorney to speak with the Council. C. Mallon advised he would like the Town Attorney to speak to the Council about the Council's responsibilities according to the Charter.
Motion made by R. Doyon to empower Mayor Robert J. Chatfield to be authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the Town of Prospect with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police for the services of one Resident State Trooper for the period of July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. Motion seconded by T. Graveline. Roll call vote take: 8 Approved/ 1 Opposed, R. Kergaravat.
R. Kergaravat inquired if the Town Attorney would be asked to attend the next meeting of the Council. C. Mallon advised he would like to request the Town Attorney to come to the next meeting to explain the responsibilities of the Council in relation to the Charter. T. Graveline agreed with C. Mallon to ask the Town Attorney to come to the Council meeting for clarification on the interpretation of the Charter with regard to the Council's responsibilities and also the Charter's relation to the Resident State Trooper Contract. R. Kergaravat stated he would like to rescind his vote from 'no to yes' since the Town Attorney will be asked to clarify the responsibilities of the Council in relation to the Charter.
New Business:
Transfers - None
Refunds - Already acted upon
Resignations - None
Appointments - Already acted upon
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Meeting adjourned @ 10:22 P.M.
Thomas J. Calvin, Chairman
Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk