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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 20, 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, March 20, 2000. Chairwoman Strom called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
PRAYER - The Prayer was given by Councilor Vayda.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilors Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, McGuire, Strom and Vayda. Councilor Surapine was absent. Also present were Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher W. Bromson; Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Director of Community Development, Debbie Oppermann; Director of Information Systems, Charlene Bond.
MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
MOTION #4503 by Councilor Falk, seconded by Councilor Dodd to accept the minutes of the March 6, 2000 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4503 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #4504 by Councilor Mangini, seconded by Councilor Egan to accept the minutes of the March 6, 2000 Regular Meeting.
AMENDMENT #1 by Councilor Fiore, seconded by Councilor Vayda to correct the wording in the seventh paragraph on Page 5 to read as follows:
"Mr. Fiore stated he understood the reasoning for the selection of projects for Phase I."
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #1 adopted 10-0-0.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4504 adopted, as amended, by a 10-0-0 vote.
MOTION #4505 by Councilor Mangini, seconded by Councilor Kaupin to accept the minutes of the March 9, 2000 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4505 adopted 10-0-0.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Adam Pierz, 2 Mitchell Drive
Stated his belief the Higgins building should be rehabilitated and that the Town should work at preserving its history, character and culture.
Mr. Pierz thanked the Town Council for appointing him to the Senior Citizens Building Committee.
Sue Read, 26 Prospect Street
Agreed with Mr. Pierz regarding his remarks about the Higgins building.
Scott Giddings, 50 South River Street
Voiced his support of the rehabilitation of the Higgins building. He stated his belief the Town should put out more information as to what the options are for the Higgins building and the cost of tearing it down.
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated his belief its unfair for anyone from the school system to come before the Council looking for points while budget negotiations are underway.
Robert Tkacz, 1300 Enfield Street
Voiced his support of Enrico Fermi High School Principal, Stephen Ross. He then referred to monthly summaries of the school budget. He stated the Business Manager told him theres a flaw in the program because they cant include the salaries that are encumbered. He pointed out certain items show huge surpluses, i.e., educational supplies, utilities, Special Education, etc. He went on to note the food service budget and federal and state grants are not showing up in any documents, and he feels these should be in the budget book.
Paul DeGregorio, 15 Debbie Lane
Voiced his support of Enrico Fermi High School Principal, Stephen Ross.
Mr. DeGregorio disagreed with Attorney General Blumenthal regarding his claims about mismanagement of the Purple Heart Museum.
Mr. DeGregorio voiced support for the Enfield Police Department.
He expressed his opposition to tax abatements to large successful companies that have been in Town for many years. He stated his belief all Enfield residents need a tax abatement.
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Voiced his support of the restoration of the Higgins building.
Adam Pierz, 2 Mitchell Drive
Stated he has over 600 signatures supporting the restoration of the Higgins building.
COUNCILOR COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Councilor Falk stated hes liaison to the Cultural Arts Commission, and theyre sponsoring a Dance Connecticut Production on Friday, March 31st at Fermi High School. He noted he has tickets for this event.
Councilor Falk stated the Enfield Beautification Committee is looking for support of the Enfield Clean-Up, particularly along the waterways.
Councilor Mangini commended Voices, Inc. on their recent spring production. She went on to encourage everyone support the Enfield Food Shelf and Loaves and Fishes in their upcoming fundraiser on March 25th.
Councilor Mangini encouraged everyone to participate in the MS Walk scheduled for the first weekend in April.
Councilor Egan stated Voices, Inc. put on a wonderful spring production. She noted theres a matching fund for donations for the Enfield Food Shelf until the end of March.
Councilor Fiore stated the Connecticut Water Company had to replace a pipe on Brainard Road, and they will be re-paving their road cuts.
Councilor Fiore thanked town staff, particularly Dan Vindigni, Tom McGee, Jeffrey Bord, Dave Bodendorf, Al Kneiss, and Marvin Serra who went out of their way to help a resident in District #4 who had a water problem.
Councilor Fiore stated he recently attended a Veterans Council meeting and the Veterans Parade is tentatively scheduled for November 5th. He went on to note that the Veterans Council can no longer send letters to the National Guard regarding fly-bys. He noted such a letter will have to come from the Town Manager.
Councilor Fiore stated the Athletic Hall of Fame is having their annual golf tournament on May 6th at the St. Anns Country Club.
Councilor Hall stated the School Projects Building Committee looked at the architectural bids, and they will be conducting two interviews this Thursday.
Councilor Hall referred to tree cuttings on Hazard Avenue, North Maple Street and Taylor Road. She noted the Town stopped CL&P from cutting any more trees. She stated there will be a meeting this week with Town staff to review this tree cutting.
Councilor Hall commended Voices, Inc. on their recent spring production.
Councilor Falk also commended Voices, Inc. on their recent concert.
Councilor Kaupin stated the Scantic Splash, the Loaves and Fishes and Enfield Food Shelf fundraiser, will take place Saturday, March 25th.
Chairwoman Strom thanked Mr. Vindigni for responding as quickly as he did regarding the tree cuttings.
Chairwoman Strom pointed out it has been awhile since the Council met with CRCOG. She suggested this meeting be held Monday, March 27th.
OLD BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN COUNCIL)
MOTION #4506 by Councilor Mangini, seconded by Councilor Vayda to remove Item #6 from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4506 adopted 10-0-0.
NOMINATION #4507 by Councilor Fiore to appoint John McGuire (D) to the Planning and Zoning Commission as an Alternate for a term which expires 12/31/01.
MOTION #4508 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Dodd to close nominations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4508 adopted 10-0-0.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared John McGuire appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission as an alternate by a 10-0-0 vote.
All other Town Council appointments remained on the table.
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN MANAGER)
All appointments remained tabled.
MOTION #4509 by Councilor Vayda, seconded by Councilor Falk to remove Item c. from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4509 adopted 10-0-0.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION RE: EMPLOYEE PENSIONS
Chairwoman Strom stated theyre looking at having a resolution for the April 3rd meeting.
MOTION #4510 by Councilor Falk, seconded Vayda to re-table this item.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4510 adopted 10-0-0.
Items d., e., and f. remained tabled.
MOTION #4511 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Egan to remove Item g. from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4511 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #4512 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Vayda to remove this item from the agenda.
Councilor Kaupin explained that Item a. under Items for Discussion contains a motion to fund the administrator computers for the school system. He noted the original intent on the resolution for the CIP balance was to help fund administrator computers. He stated the School Board has agreed to pay $65,000 out of their funds this year.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4512 adopted 10-0-0.
Item h. remained tabled.
MOTION #4513 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Falk to remove Item i. from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4513 adopted 10-0-0.
Chairwoman Strom stated the Town Attorney needs to review this further.
MOTION #4514 by Councilor McGuire, seconded by Councilor Fiore to re-table this item.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4514 adopted 10-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION #4515 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Falk.
WHEREAS, the voters of the Town of Enfield have approved the construction of a Senior Citizens Center including land acquisition through the passage of a $4.3 million bond referendum held on November 2, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the Enfield Town Council shall serve as the Site Selection Committee for the purpose of purchasing a site for the new Senior Citizens Center; and
WHEREAS, the Enfield Town Council appointed a Senior Citizens Center Building Committee on February 22, 2000;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Council does hereby charge the Senior Citizens Center Building Committee to:
1. Review, revise, and approve a space needs program for the facility.
2. Develop schematic architectural and site plans for the facility, to include a proposed time line for project execution and completion. The Building Committee shall submit such plans to the Enfield Town Council for approval.
3. Upon receiving Town Council approval of schematic plans, the Building Committee shall proceed with the development of final plans.
4. Upon completion of final plans, the Building Committee will submit such documents to the Town Council for approval.
5. Provide progress reports to the Town Council no less than quarterly.
6. Approve plan modifications.
7. Authorize the release of funds for payment based upon Town Staff recommendations and in accordance with contractual agreements.
8. Accept construction work upon completion.
Councilor Fiore stated his impression there would be more details to this charge. Councilor Falk stated this was based on the charge for the Alcorn Building Committee. He added his belief this charge explains what the Committee is supposed to do.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #4515 adopted 10-0-0.
RESOLUTION RE: PROPOSED ORDINANCE - ABATEMENT OF TAXES/VOLUNTEER FIRE PERSONNEL
Present for this discussion were Earl Provencher, Chief-North Thompsonville Fire Department and
Jack Flanagan, Chief-Hazardville Fire Department.
Councilor Mangini stated her impression the scale of $250, $400 and $750 is based on experience and training of the Fire/EMS personnel. She questioned where these figures come from. Chairwoman Strom stated her belief the idea is to encourage personnel to get certification.
Councilor Hall noted at the last meeting she requested documentation from other towns, and she requested this be provided for the next meeting. Mr. Vindigni noted they are working on getting that documentation.
Councilor Fiore questioned if the tax abatement would continue after retirement, and Mr. Flanagan stated it was their feeling this would be appropriate after putting in 25 years on a volunteer basis.
Councilor Fiore questioned the justification for proposing tax credits. Mr. Flanagan explained in any organization there will be people who will strive to move ahead, but another group who does not devote extra-curricular time to improving themselves. He pointed out those people are still needed, whether or not theyre certified.
Mr. Provencher stated his belief that before long it will be mandated that fire fighters are certified.
Councilor McGuire questioned whether Fire Fighter I classes are above and beyond the regular drills, and Mr. Provencher indicated yes, at the present time.
Councilor McGuire commended the fire departments for doing a wonderful job.
Councilor Kaupin stated if someone comes in from another town, will Enfields fire department incorporate that persons participation at another volunteer fire department into their statistics to give that person a full year. Mr. Provencher noted Item #8 addresses this.
Councilor Kaupin questioned if they re-factored the maximum total cost to the Town regarding their change of making full-time fire fighters that volunteer evenings and weekends part of this program, or was this already incorporated. Mr. Flanagan indicated it was already incorporated.
Councilor Vayda questioned how many hours does it take to become certified, and Mr. Provencher estimated it takes about 150 hours for certification as a Fire Fighter I.
RESOLUTION #4516 by Councilor Falk, seconded by Councilor Mangini.
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 8(f) of the Town Charter, the following transfer is hereby made:
TO: Personnel Office $4,000.00
Account #1700-0540 ~
Advertising ~
FROM: Personnel Office $4,000.00
Account #1700-0332 ~
Legal Services ~
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify the amount of $4,000.00 is available from Account #1700-0332 as of 2/18/00.
/s/ Gregory Simmons, Director of Finance
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #4516 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #4517 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Egan to table Item b.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4517 adopted 10-0-0.
RESOLUTION #4518 by Councilor Kaupin, seconded by Councilor Hall.
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 8(f) of the Town Charter, the following transfer is hereby made:
TO: Social Services-Child Day Care $500.00
Acct. #4320-6014-325 ~
Parent Activities ~
FROM: Social Services-Child Day Care $500.00
Acct. #4320-6014-611 ~
Instructional Supplies/Materials ~
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify the amount of $500.00 is available from Account #4320-6014-611 as of February 29, 2000.
/s/ Gregory Simmons, Director of Finance
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #4518 adopted 10-0-0.
Referring to Item e., Mr. Vindigni noted there is nothing to report at this time.
MOTION #4519 by Councilor Vayda, seconded by Councilor Mangini to table Item e.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4519 adopted 10-0-0.
DISCUSSION RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE OF TROPHY CASE
Councilor Kaupin stated the Chairman of this committee indicated theyd like this trophy case in place for September 1st. He noted if its in the budget, a July appropriation would allow them enough time to make this purchase.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Items a., b., and c. will appear on the next agenda.
MISCELLANEOUS
No items were raised under Miscellaneous.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Paul DeGregorio, 15 Debbie Lane
Raised some questions regarding the proposed ordinance - Abatement of Taxes/Volunteer Fire Personnel, and Chairwoman Strom stated the Council will have to set a Public Hearing date on this ordinance.
Mr. DeGregorio expressed his displeasure with Attorney Blumenthals reaction to the Purple Heart Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #4520 by Councilor Falk, seconded by Councilor Kaupin to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #4520 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 9:05 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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