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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2000
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was held in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, August 7, 2000. The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Strom at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilors Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, and Strom. Councilors Hall, McGuire, Surapine, and Vayda were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos; Chief of Police, Ronald Marcotte; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski.
PVTA BUS SERVICE
Present for this discussion were Karen Olson from CRCOG, Sandra Sheehan from PVTA, and Tim Doherty from PVPC.
Ms. Olson stated they looked at current service. She distributed the existing schedules. She noted in September of 1999, Connecticut Transit began service as well, therefore, they looked for opportunities to cut back on service if there were any duplication of service. She then used a map to show the bus routes for these services. She pointed out there is some duplication of service, but that duplication only involves a short section of Thompsonville. She noted PVTA services to the north and Connecticut Transit services to the south.
Ms. Olson stated the Transit Authority conducted an on-bus survey and collected information by run so that they could see where any impact would be minimal. She noted in the middle of this study Asnuntuck Community College put in a request for service. She stated Connecticut Transit has no time to extend to the college, however, PVTA does have room within their route, and that is being reviewed. She summarized what is currently being reviewed where services can be combined, where ridership is minimal, the possibility of providing service to Asnuntuck. She added theyre also looking at service to Phoenix Mutual and the possibility of reducing service to that location.
Councilor Falk thanked Mr. Vindigni for working so diligently on this. He stated his impression the amount of ridership is not very high for the amount Enfield is paying in subsidy. He added he would like to move forward with PVTAs proposals since he feels this will address the issues. He felt providing service to Asnuntuck is a good idea.
Councilor Kaupin questioned if the average daily ridership of 54 applies to Enfield residents, and Ms. Olson responded this applies to both Enfield and out-of-town riders.
Councilor Dodd referred to the possible reduction of service to Phoenix Mutual and stated his impression Phoenix was going to attempt to boost bus ridership. Ms. Olson stated its possible to make some contacts at Phoenix to see if theres any interest in boosting ridership before theres any reduction in service to that company.
Councilor Falk questioned if theres any possibility of federal monies in the future. Mr. Doherty stated Enfield could approach the Connecticut Department of Transportation to look for funding.
There was a consensus by the Council that they should move forward with proposals as presented:
o where services can be combined
o reductions where ridership is minimal
o reduction of service to Phoenix (first checking with Phoenix to learn whether theres any interest in boosting ridership)
o review possibility of providing service to Asnuntuck Community College
ROAD 2000 UPDATE
Mr. Shanley stated they had a major debriefing of some of the key staff people and paid consultants who worked on Road 2000 to analyze what has transpired in the first year so they could make adjustments as they move into the second year. He reviewed some action items on his July 31st memorandum:
o letter to residents prior to construction to outline time frame, construction company and identify the inspectors for the project that will be wearing orange vests and white hats. All questions or problems should be directed to the inspectors not the contractor.
o Invest more in detailed engineering design
Councilor Mangini expressed her appreciation for all the hard work. She referred to Item #10 on Mr. Shanleys memorandum "meet with police to discuss safety issues on a regular basis" and stated her assumption its clearly understood that this is done at the time the job is undertaken. Mr. Kazmarski stated there are line items for traffic police, and theres a clear cut definition as to when traffic police have to be used and when flagmen are to be used.
Councilor Falk questioned if there will be some things not getting done because more money is being spent on the unexpected. Mr. Shanley stated his belief its a little early to judge that. He pointed out theyre at the end of year one, and theyre just doing the punch list now.
Councilor Dodd questioned if engineering and preliminary studies, i.e., corings, etc. for the upcoming year will continue until inclement weather. Mr. Kazmarski stated his belief all of the soil borings have been done for all of the projects for the second year. He noted theyre starting the design phase for the second year projects. Mr. Shanley used a color-coded map to point out second year projects in red, and the first year projects in purple. He went on to note they should not rush projects to beat the construction season.
Mr. Kazmarski referred to the map and noted there are significant drainage difficulties in Section 7. He noted this area will require extensive drainage analysis and design. He noted they intend to start from the downstream area and work on the major cross culverts that are along the roads and work their way up to Roosevelt Blvd. and the trunk system that is carrying all of the major storm drainage westerly towards the Connecticut River. He noted they cant predict the length of time for the design process. He pointed out with some of the off site work in this section they will require DEP and Corps of Engineers permits, and this could place a big stumbling block within the time table. He added they will be getting started on this very shortly.
Mr. Kazmarski stated Section 8 appears to encompass a lot of roads, however, theres very little drainage improvements needed.
Mr. Shanley stated they will be specifying a higher quality seed and loam so that the finished product will be more acceptable to residents.
Mr. Shanley stated one item that is not Road 2000 has to do with the railroad tracks on North Road, and these were raised 14 inches. He noted staff was not happy with the work that was done, therefore, some work was redone. He noted he drove over it, and he is satisfied with the work. Mr. Kazmarski agreed it has been improved. Councilor Egan stated her belief the result of that rework is 100% better.
MOTION #4760 by Councilor Mangini, seconded by Councilor Falk to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4760 adopted 7-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairwoman Strom at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilors Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, and Strom. Councilors Hall, McGuire, Surapine, and Vayda were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos; Chief of Police, Ronald Marcotte.
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairwoman Strom adjourned the Executive Session at 7:41 p.m.
Chairwoman Strom reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:42 p.m. and stated that during Executive Session they discussed Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #4761 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Egan to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4761 adopted 7-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannette Lamontagne
Secretary to the Council
By Suzanne F. Olechnicki
Suzanne F. Olechnicki
Town Clerk
Clerk of the Council
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