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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 2, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Acting Chairman Peter Falk in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Tuesday, January 2, 2001at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Giddings, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, McGuire, and Vayda. Chairwoman Strom was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Senior Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos
Present from the Enfield Board of Education were Theresa Clavette, Kenneth Hilinski, Roger Jones, Thomas Osborn, Lynn Scull, Nicholas Sinsigalli, and William Thomson. Mary Heidi Tibbetts arrived at 6:16 p.m. Joyce Hall was absent. Also present were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Gallacher; Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Director of School Facilities, Arthur Pongratz
WORK SESSION WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS: ENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
Deputy Mayor Peter Falk chaired the meeting in the absence of Chairwoman Mary Lou Strom.
Discussion followed regarding a draft of the charge for the building committee for the Enfield High School project.
Mr. Osborn questioned the possibility of having more regular feedback than quarterly from the building committee to the Board of Education and Town Council.
Acting Chairman Falk agreed.
Referring to Section 10, Councilman Kaupin suggested the following wording:
"The Building Committee shall make progress reports to the Town Council and Board of Education for review and discussion." Mr. Osborn agreed.
Councilman Egan stated anything more frequent than this can go through the liaisons.
Referring to Section 3 "Subcommittees", Acting Chairman Falk suggested perhaps this section isnt needed because this is a single project.
Councilman Mangini agreed.
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Mr. Hilinski pointed out there may be instances where some expertise may be needed, and a subcommittee may need to be set, however, it might not necessarily be called a subcommittee. He went on to note there may be instances where they would have to make use of consultants.
Referring to Section 10, Councilman Dodd suggested perhaps the progress reports from the committee to the Board and Council could be given every other month, unless theyre needed more frequently.
Referring to Page 2, Item #2, Councilman Fiore questioned if the Board is comfortable with the wording, "Prior to taking any formal action the Town Council will seek an advisory vote of the Board of Education of the preliminary schematic and budgetary plans.
Board of Education Chairman, William Thomson, stated obviously the Board would like as much input as possible. He noted he would like to leave the language as is.
Mr. Hilinski stated his belief the wording is fine as it is. He stated his belief the Town Council in the past has been responsible in watching out for the customers needs. He stated his belief this provides the Board the opportunity for a good look at whats going on. He added he would like to continue in this vein.
Mr. Sinsigalli agreed with this language and would like to see it strengthened, i.e., "obtain an approval vote for the proposals".
Councilman Egan stated the charge for the previous building committee called for just an advisory "opinion", however, in this case, she feels they took it a step further by providing for an advisory "vote". She stated her feeling this language is even stronger than the previous building committee charge, and she feels comfortable with it.
Councilman Vayda agreed with Mr. Sinsigalli. He stated his belief there needs to be a clear and unequivocal message that education requirements have to be taken into consideration, and he feels there should be a mechanism to insure that.
Ms. Scull stated the building committee needs to understand the school system is the customer. She noted the Town Council has always been good about seeing that the School System is happy with whats going on. She indicated shes comfortable with how this is written.
Councilman Mangini stated her belief the Town and Board have a good working relationship, and she would like to see that continue. She feels they need to be careful how they reword things.
Councilman Kaupin stated he would not be in favor of changing "advisory" to "approval" because ultimately its the Councils responsibility because of the authorities vested in the Council. He feels the final say and the approval vote has to come from the Town Council. He suggested the wording, "The Building Committee shall, upon approval of the Town Council, issue a notice to proceed with the final plans." He pointed out this further puts into steps the process that needs to be taken. He stated the Town Council wont take any action until the advisory vote, and the Building Committee cannot issue a notice to proceed with the final plans before the Council gives the approval.
Acting Chairman Falk referred to Section 2 "Structure; Membership", and suggested lowering the membership to five.
Mr. Osborn referred to Page 2, Item 5 and suggested the following wording: "The Building Committee shall seek guidance and approval from the Town Council after guidance and advice from the Board of Education, if there is any question regarding substantial compliance."
Mr. Osborn referred to Page 2, Item 3 and questioned who is putting the project out to bid, and Acting Chairman Falk stated the Town and the Building Committee are putting the project out to bid.
Mr. Sinsigalli questioned if the Council intends to choose the committee members in the same manner as last time, and Acting Chairman Falk responded yes.
Mr. Sinsigalli questioned when the Council will vote on this.
Councilman Kaupin noted he spoke to Chairwoman Strom regarding when the Council could act on this, and she indicated she has no problem with the Council moving forward on this as long as there was a consensus.
Councilman Mangini referred to Page 3, Item 6 and questioned whether theres a parameter concerning change orders. Mr. Shanley stated if they deviate from the plan substantially, they need to come back to the Council.
MOTION #5002 by Councilman Egan, seconded by Councilman Dodd 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 #5002 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 6:35 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Acting Chairman Falk at 6:40 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilmen Dodd, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Giddings, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, McGuire, and Vayda. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki.
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
The meeting recessed at 6:43 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
Acting Chairman Falk adjourned the Executive Session at 7:27 p.m.
Acting Chairman Falk reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:28 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 #5003 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Egan to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #5003 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannette Lamontagne
Secretary to the Council
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By Suzanne F. Olechnicki
Suzanne F. Olechnicki
Town Clerk
Clerk of the Council
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