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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 27, 2000
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairwoman Strom in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, March 27, 2000 at 7:06 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilors Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, McGuire, Strom, and Vayda. Councilor Surapine was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski.
CRCOG PRESENTATION
Present from the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) was Rick Porth, Executive Director.
Mr. Porth stated changes over the last 20 to 40 years in transportation, communication technology, business practice, settlement patterns, and land use make it difficult for the individual towns to address some of the challenges on their own. He noted certain items are increasingly calling for more regional solutions, i.e., economic development, workforce development, water supply, transportation, land use, solid waste disposal, public safety, housing supply, open space and recreation. He added theres an increasing push on the part of individual residential and business taxpayers for government to provide services in a more cost-effective way.
He stated Enfield is a very active member of CRCOG and has good representation on just about every committee and subcommittee that they operate.
He reviewed the benefits of CRCOG membership as follows:
o Dollar for Dollar Savings: Enfield saved over $45,489 for five of nearly 20 items purchased collaboratively in the past year
o Municipal Services: a grant resource center; PC training classes; expertise exchange
o Data Resources: CRCOG offers unlimited access to its data center library
o Transportation Projects: money comes from the federal government and is funneled through CRCOG to be invested in transportation projects - in the last five years Enfield has been approved for $6.5 million dollars worth of projects
o Other Benefits: technical assistance is provided in the areas of planning and zoning and transportation; they also do legislative advocacy; CRCOGs Public Safety Council works on innovative public safety projects
Mr. Shanley informed the Council that the Town had representation regarding the mobile data communications system, and it has been very valuable to Enfield.
Chairwoman Strom stated Mr. Porth is very good at bringing people together and listening to ideas. She referred to CRCOGs agenda for legislation this year, and noted its very important Enfield back up the legislative agenda since some items benefit Enfield directly or other items benefit the whole region.
Councilor Mangini questioned whether monies might be available for busing within Enfield. Mr. Shanley stated Councilor Falk has been working on this for years, and the Town did include money in the budget for a consultant to study how they could get an intra-town bus service that could link with the inter-town bus service. He noted Mr. Vindigni has been working with Karen Olson at CRCOG to learn if they can utilize some of their expertise in order to see how they can develop this internally.
Councilor Fiore questioned how involved CRCOG is getting with this years census. Mr. Porth stated they are involved and will be more involved in the coming months.
Councilor Kaupin requested an update on CRCOGs study of Route 190, and Mr. Porth noted this study is underway, and Somers and Enfield have developed local committees which are now meeting. Mr. Shanley stated the first steering committee meeting was last week, and present at that meeting were Mayor Strom, Councilor Hall and himself. He noted there will probably be a time line reported on at the next Council meeting under "Communications". He stated the next step is to develop advisory committees within each community consisting of eight or nine people, and these will be appointed by the Mayor. He noted the actual research has already begun, i.e., the historical research of Hazardville Village area. He stated his belief they will be close to having the final product in May of 2001.
Councilor Kaupin questioned what usually results from corridor studies such as this, and Mr. Porth stated this has been identified as a priority for some time. He noted they are taking a close look at Route 190, how it functions, and how it effects Enfield and Somers. Mr. Shanley noted they take a 20 to 25 year view, and they lay out a conceptual plan to keep traffic flowing well should the population grow. He added they also look at the short term and identify areas where there might be a high traffic count or a high accident count. He noted the completed corridor study will help them leverage long and short term federal funding.
Mr. Porth stated CRCOG has also worked with Enfield on the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Plan, and this plan is a model for the towns in this region.
Councilor Fiore questioned if CRCOG is looking at the under-utilization of the Amtrak rail from Springfield to Hartford. Mr. Porth responded yes, and noted theyre also doing a regional transit study, and one of the key recommendations which he believes will come out of this study is that theyre going to ask for better service between New Haven/Hartford/Springfield. He added perhaps there could also be a shuttle bus to connect to Bradley International Airport.
Councilor Falk questioned how the process of collaborative purchasing works, and to what extent does Enfield currently participate. Mr. Porth stated this involves about 20 items, i.e., fuel oil, plow blades, gasoline, tires, motor oil, rock salt, grass seed, fertilizer, police cruisers, police ammunition, paper supplies, pneumonia vaccine, water treatment, chemicals, etc. He pointed out Enfield really takes advantage of this. He noted with just five items, Enfield saved $45,000 last year. He explained they collect specifications from the participating towns, and by creating volume, they get a better deal for those participating towns. He noted in the end, the town gets to decide which bidder they wish to go with, in that they dont have to go with CRCOG. He added 99% of the time towns go with the low bidder.
Mr. Shanley stated theyre also looking to realize some savings in electricity, i.e., street lighting costs as a result of the aggregation of the purchasing. Mr. Porth stated they are going to defer to CCM on the electricity part because they can make a much bigger pool than CRCOG. He added CRCOG is doing natural gas consolidation, and they already have 16 towns participating and saving some money at this point. He noted they continue to look for other things to purchase at a savings.
Councilor Falk questioned whether the Enfield School System take advantage of this as well, and Mr. Porth responded yes and noted they "piggyback" with Capitol Region Education Council.
RESOLUTION #4521 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Vayda.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Council authorizes the Town Manager to execute an Authorization/Expenditure Form with the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management to allocate funds in the amount of $157,834 for Town Road Drainage Improvements and $65,000 for Computer Technology for School Administrators.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #4521 adopted 10-0-0.
RESOLUTION #4522 by Councilor Mangini, seconded by Councilor Kaupin.
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Council does hereby amend the FY 1999/00 appropriations for the Capital Improvement Program to include Account #2000-3200-005, Town Road Drainage Improvements, LOCIP (Local Capital Improvement Program) supplemental funding of $157,834.
Attached is a listing of streets so designated for the Town Road Drainage Improvements.
(List appended to minutes)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Council does hereby amend the FY 1999/00 appropriations for the Capital Improvement Program to include Account #2000-8040-004, Computer Technology for School Administrators, LOCIP (Local Capital Improvement Program) supplemental funding of $65,000.
Mr. Shanley stated this is the one-time LOCIP appropriation that the legislature made, and it needs to be expended by June 30th.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #4522 adopted 10-0-0.
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN MANAGER)
MOTION #4523 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Vayda to accept the Town Managers recommendation to appoint the following people to the Commission on Aging:
Joseph Lombardo (D), 15 Birchwood Road - term expires 12/31/01
Patricia Cobb (U), 20 Rockland Drive - term expires 12/31/02
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4523 adopted 10-0-0.
UPDATE ROAD 2000
Present for this discussion was Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski.
Mr. Shanley explained the Council has before them a narrative presentation on the current status of Year One. He noted a map is also included.
Mr. Kazmarski displayed a map indicating the sections theyre proposing to have work done (design-wise) and hopefully follow up with construction activities in the upcoming year. He referred to Section 7A (Bright Meadow Boulevard) and noted theyre recommending rehabilitating this road quickly since it is unsightly with many big potholes, and it doesnt make a good impression to visitors staying at the hotel in that area. He noted perhaps they can realize a cooperative effort by getting some additional monies from the landowners in that area as well.
He stated Section 7 is a large section which includes Roosevelt Boulevard and the Booth Road area, and they knew last year that this section would be quite involved. He explained theres a lot of off the road work to address undersized pipes. He noted the scope of work will require a wetlands permit and involvement from DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers. He stated they do not know how long the permits will take. Mr. Shanley added the order of magnitude runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Councilor Fiore stated there were occasions when Roosevelt Boulevard has been closed for traffic because of the backlog of water. Chairwoman Strom stated Roosevelt Boulevard has been having these problems for a long time.
Mr. Kazmarski referred to Section 8 and noted this area slopes down to the Connecticut River, and based on their preliminary analysis, it doesnt appear there are any significant drainage problems that really need attention by increasing the size of pipes or a lot of additional basins. He noted they are mainly looking to rehab the roads in this area and/or overlaying the roads, and installing curbing to get water to the catch basins.
Councilor Egan stated she received calls about the poor quality of Enfield Terrace and Enfield Terrace Extension. Mr. Kazmarski stated those roads have to be completely rehabbed.
Mr. Kazmarski then spoke about Section 9 and stated his belief they can take care of the design of this section in-house and can take care of the reconstruction of the roads. He added his belief they can get this area done fairly quickly.
Referring to Section 10, Mr. Kazmarski indicated theyre about to receive a design from Milone and MacBroom.
Mr. Kazmarski stated Section 11 consists of residential roads in the "Birdland" area. He noted a video inspection of the drainage areas will be done.
Councilor Falk questioned whether Section 11 will be designed this summer, and Mr. Kazmarski responded they will start construction early this summer.
Councilor Kaupin questioned whether they will also consider installing drainage when theyre rehabbing some of the older streets without drainage, and Mr. Kazmarski responded yes.
Councilor Vayda questioned if the increase in bituminous has been taken into consideration, and Mr. Kazmarski responded yes.
Referring to Bernardino and Kalish Avenues, Councilor Fiore questioned if theyre waiting for the water company to install water mains. Mr. Shanley stated they will ask Tom McGee to call Councilor Fiore to answer that question.
Councilor Fiore questioned what section Nancy Road falls under. He pointed out this road is in terrible condition. He noted Nancy Road is adjacent to Section 4. Mr. Shanley explained how these sections were done - an initial approximation of cost, then trying to balance and create the section in a size whereby theyd realize efficiencies, but not over cost in that particular section. He noted they would have to ask Messrs. Bord and Bodendorf as to why Nancy Road is not included. Mr. Kazmarski indicated hed have someone call Councilor Fiore to explain this.
Regarding Bright Meadow Boulevard, Councilor Fiore questioned if theres any way they can coordinate the rehabilitation of that road with some of the suggestions that the Revitalization Committee gave the Council for the sidewalk for the Northgate proposal. Mr. Shanley stated that is the reason for the recommendation so that they could hold it in abeyance because The Phoenix has requested a sidewalk, and theyre working with the Raddisson and The Phoenix on some aesthetics coming into the Northgate corridor, and they would like to create a lot of aesthetic continuity entering Enfield and down Bright Meadow. He pointed out a lot of engineering work needs to be done.
Councilor Dodd referred to Section 3, Phase one and questioned whether the Town will establish the depth of the base on that portion of the driveway rubbish trucks will be using, and Mr. Kazmarski responded yes.
Councilor Kaupin stated there are some very old trees on North and North Maple Streets, and he questioned whether they will work around those trees when theyre replacing or installing sidewalks. Mr. Shanley stated if a tree had to come down, there would be a full discussion, and there would be a consensus before moving forward.
Mr. Kazmarski stated Section 12 consists of roads in the eastern part of town off of Taylor Road. He noted the Town is providing all of the base mapping for these projects so that they have consistency throughout all the projects.
Councilor Hall questioned if there are plans to address very poor roads which are scheduled for Year Three. She pointed out half of Long Hollow Road is missing. Mr. Kazmarski stated the Highway Division would address repair work this time of the year.
MOTION #4524 by Councilor Mangini, seconded by Councilor Kaupin to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4524 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 8:29 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairwoman Strom at 8:30 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilors Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, McGuire, Strom, and Vayda. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher W. Bromson.
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairwoman Strom adjourned the Executive Session at 10:35 p.m.
Chairwoman Strom reconvened the Special Meeting at 10:36 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 #4525 by Councilor Dodd, seconded by Councilor Falk to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4525 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 10:37 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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