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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2000
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was held in the Council Chambers of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, October 16, 2000. Chairwoman Strom called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.
PRAYER - The Prayer was given by Councilman Fiore.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Dodd, Falk, Fiore, Giddings, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, McGuire, Strom, and Vayda. Councilman Egan was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher W. Bromson; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Director of Information Systems, Charlene Bond; Registrar of Voters, Mary Lou Flynn
MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
MOTION #4860 by Councilman Vayda, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to accept the minutes of the September 25, 2000 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4860 adopted 8-0-2, with Councilmen Dodd and Giddings abstaining.
MOTION #4861 by Councilman Falk, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to accept the minutes of the October 2, 2000 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4861 adopted 9-0-1, with Councilman Giddings abstaining.
MOTION #4862 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to accept the minutes of the October 2, 2000 Regular Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4862 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #4863 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Falk to accept the minutes of the October 3, 2000 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4863 adopted 8-0-2, with Councilmen Dodd and Vayda abstaining.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Robert Messenger, 4 King Court
Referring to an out-of-town person speaking at the last meeting, Mr. Messenger stated his belief it should be stressed that this forum is for Enfield residents only.
Mary Ann Turner, 7 Meadow Road
Invited Council members to attend the Karen Scavotto Day on Wednesday.
Ms. Turner noted she recently attended the After School Program open house and she saw the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilmen Kaupin present at this event. She stated her belief it's important staff members be present at these functions.
Ms. Turner noted she read in the paper Mr. Crowley is leaving Planning & Zoning, and she heard about the possibility of Anthony DiPace filling that vacancy. She stated her belief in the past Mr. DiPace does an excellent job as a Planning & Zoning member. She stated her hope the Council will look at him in good favor.
Ms. Turner stated she requested but has not yet been given a written reason why she was not appointed to the Economic Development Commission. She noted if she's not qualified to serve on this Commission, she would like to learn what she needs to do to get qualified.
She stated it seems to her that the lawyers, the Planner, and Zoning Enforcement Officer basically tell the Planning & Zoning Commission they're not going to enforce what the intentions were. She suggested they understand what the power is for the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Robert Tkacz, 1300 Enfield Street
Stated the State of Connecticut projected 497 births for 1999, and there were 452 births.
Mr. Tkacz noted he's looking at high school yearbooks for Enfield and invited anyone with yearbooks before 1965 to give them to the library to complete the collection.
He stated he spoke with someone who went to Town Hall to get a building permit, and they were served by a discourteous staff member.
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated his belief the Public Works Department is doing a good job in marking out some of the crosswalks.
Mr. Jedziniak questioned what the square footage will be for the Enfield High School addition, as well as the new Senior Citizens Center.
Mr. Shanley stated the Senior Citizens Center is to be approximately 20,000 square feet.
COUNCILMEN COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Councilman Mangini expressed appreciation for the nice After School Program function. She noted it was nice to see the turnout they had to address the needs of the children.
Councilman Mangini stated she enjoyed participating in the River Clean-Up event.
Councilman Mangini expressed appreciation to CRCOG for coming to Enfield for the Public Hearing regarding Amtrack.
Referring to the Youth Vote, Councilman Mangini read the following letter from Amy Witbr
"As youre aware, students in Enfield will once again be participating in the Enfield Youth Vote Program. The goal of this program is to instill a sense of civic duty in our youth. To meet this goal, a mini unit in civic education is taught to students in Grade 4 through 12. The program culminates with students voting in a mock election at the actual polling site on election day. Last year we were used as a pilot program by the Secretary of States Office.
The use of electronic voting machines was donated by LHS, a voting machine company. This year, however, LHS has again offered the use of the machines to us, but a fee will be charged. LHS has set this fee to help offset their expenses in programming and transporting the machines and ballot boxes. The cost for nine electronic voting machines will be $900. In addition, each ballot will cost $.25 a piece. This year Catholic Schools in Enfield will also be participating in the Youth Vote.
Since the program is a town-wide effort to instill a sense of civic responsibility in our future voters, would the Town Council be willing to cover the cost for the voting machines at $900. The schools could all cover the cost of their own ballots. Your support in this matter would be appreciated by all involved in the Enfield Youth Vote.
Attached please find information about events which will be held as part of the Youth Vote. It is our hope that students and their families, as well as community members, will use these functions to become informed voters.
Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Amy Witbro"
Councilman Mangini requested this item be included as an Item for Discussion for a resolution for the allocation of funding for these voting machines.
MOTION #4864 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Falk to include this item under Items for Discussion this evening.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4864 adopted 10-0-0.
Referring to an earlier question about square footage for the new library at Enfield High School, Councilman Kaupin stated this addition is slated to have 7,950 sq. ft. and the second floor, a multi-use technology center, is slated to have 6,370 sq. ft. He noted this is a total of 14,320 sq. ft. for the new addition.
Councilman Kaupin stated he received an E-mail today from the President of Enfield Soccer, Doug Finger, who is inviting the Council to a TOPS Soccer Program dedication at the Shaker Road Soccer Complex this Sunday, October 22nd at 4:45 p.m. He noted they are also holding a spaghetti supper at the Elk Lodge following the dedication.
Councilman Kaupin stated the Hazardville Village Subcommittee had some questions at their last meeting. He noted theyre looking for information, specifically on the realignment project thats happening at Hazard Avenue/Elm Street/South Road. He stated they would like to know a time line; could they see the schematics; is the State aware of the potential change for pavers; could the signal light box be installed underground.
Councilman Kaupin stated he attended an open space presentation last Thursday at the Hazardville Fire Department. He noted a lot of the information that was given paralleled part of the presentation of the Conservation Inland/Wetland Committee that the Council was part of a few months ago concerning how open space can help the tax rolls of the Town and the cost of growth and the additional services that are required. He noted if anyone has specific questions on this, they can pursue this further.
Councilman Kaupin stated he received some information from a resident who attended the Camp, Dresser, McKee presentation. He distributed this information to the Council, and its specifically about the Green Manor Park.
Councilman Fiore stated everything is tentative concerning the Senior Center, in that nothing has been signed. He noted it appears it will be 20,000 sq. ft. in size. He stated approximately 4,000 sq. ft. or less will be for Social Services administration staff. He noted the room sizes have not been decided on as yet, and this is what the Committee is currently working on. He stated his hope things will be firmed up by the end of the year. Councilman Fiore stated at the last Council meeting he requested a Capital Improvement progress report. He stated his understanding staff is very busy, however, he hopes to see that soon. Mr. Shanley indicated theyre looking to have that ready for November.
Councilman Falk commended Gretchen Pfeiffer-Hall and her Committee on the Connecticut River clean-up. He noted they disposed of tons of material.
Councilman Falk stated the Cultural Arts Commission and the Elks are co-sponsoring the Army Band that will be performing at Asnuntuck Community College at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 22nd. He noted its free, although theres limited seating capacity.
Councilman Falk questioned when the railroad crossing will take place at Hazard Avenue and Scitico. Mr. Shanley indicated hed provide an answer.
Councilman Falk requested the political sign policy be distributed to the candidates and campaign managers. He noted some signs have been placed on Adopt-A-Spot locations, and he requested those signs be removed.
Councilman Giddings stated 50 volunteers in the Connecticut River Clean-Up picked up 20 tons of material from the river. He noted this consisted of 16 tons of metals and four tons of bulky waste.
Councilman Giddings referred to comments from the public regarding town employees actions. He stated while a Town employees actions should be everyones concern, hiring and firing are the Town Managers responsibility. He noted the Town Council sets policy, and the Town Manager runs the Town.
Chairwoman Strom reminded everyone of the Karen Scavotto night scheduled for October 20th.
Chairwoman Strom noted under a grant, a karate program has been made available for the After School Program. She invited all Council members to attend a karate competition on November 5th.
Chairwoman Strom requested an item be added under Items for Discussion regarding the possibility of having a Condominium Subcommittee.
MOTION #4865 by Councilman Falk, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to add an item under Items for Discussion regarding a Condominium Subcommittee.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4865 adopted 10-0-0.
Chairwoman Strom thanked Mr. Vindigni for doing a good job representing the Town at the recent Regional Transit Strategy meeting.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Shanley stated 16 to 20 tons of trash was removed from the river in just a few hours.
Mr. Shanley stated the operator of the railroad has been trying to get a permit, but has been unsuccessful at the state level. Mr. Kazmarski noted it will be spring before this moves ahead.
Mr. Shanley requested an Item for Discussion be moved to Miscellaneous. (Freshwater Pond Grant)
TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
There was no formal report this evening.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
There were no reports.
OLD BUSINESS
No appointments were made.
Items c. through h. remained tabled.
MOTION #4866 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Mangini to remove Item i. from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4866 adopted 10-0-0.
TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY
Councilman Fiore questioned when this item will be on the Planning & Zoning agenda.
Chairwoman Strom questioned whether theyd need to extend the deadline to October 30th. Mr. Shanley stated a resolution can be prepared for the next meeting to extend the deadline.
Councilman Kaupin suggested sending a letter to Planning & Zoning notifying them the time table for this item has been extended to a certain date and that P & Z input is needed regarding this item.
Chairwoman Strom suggested this could be brought up at the Council of Chairs meeting scheduled for October 18th.
MOTION #4867 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Falk to retable this item.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4867 adopted 10-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS
A resolution re: Tax Abatement Request 1 Depot Hill/Kenworth will be addressed at the next Council meeting.
A discussion re: Open Space/Conservation Committee/Beautification Committee will take place at a special meeting scheduled for October 23rd.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Appointments will appear under New Business on the next Regular Meeting agenda.
MOTION #4868 by Councilman Falk, seconded by Councilman Fiore to suspend the rules to address Item b. under Miscellaneous this evening.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4868 adopted 10-0-0.
DISCUSSION RE: YOUTH VOTE VOTING MACHINES
Chairwoman Strom suggested a resolution be placed on the next agenda.
Councilman Falk stated his belief the Youth Vote is a very valuable program. He stated his hope the Council will support this and that theyll inc |