|
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
JULY 15, 2002
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Acting Chairman Tallarita in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, July 15, 2002 at 6:12 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Edgar, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Mangini, Strom, Tait, and Tallarita. Councilman Kaupin entered at 6:13 p.m., Chairman Vayda entered at 6:14 p.m., Councilman Egan entered at 6:16 p.m. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Director of Social Services, Dorothy Allen; Deputy Director of Social Services, Marla Hauslaib; Deputy Director of Public Works, Geoffrey McAlmond.
DISCUSSION RE: SENIOR CENTER
Mr. Shanley stated the purpose of this agenda item is to discuss the utilization of the old senior center building once the current use is moved to the new senior center. He noted once the Council decides how the old senior center building will be used, staff can move forward with structural work to implement the new usage of the building.
Councilman Tait raised the question of whether there's enough room to accommodate other tenants if the Social Service Department moves into that building. He stated he cannot see why Loaves and Fishes can't share space with Valley Repertoire since they will be using the building at different times of the day.
Councilman Strom stated if they were to move Social Services, perhaps they should also consider moving Community Development. She noted they should figure out how that building can be reconfigured to accommodate those agencies.
Ms. Allen stated they would like to see as much joint usage as possible and those groups should blend well together. She noted one of her concerns would be the maintenance of the building.
Councilman Strom questioned whether the 4,000 square feet includes the busing department, and Mr. Shanley indicated it could. He added the plan was to have the Dial-A-Ride at the new senior enter.
Councilman Mangini voiced her agreement with Dorothy Allen in that the groups using that building should blend well together. She pointed out Loaves and Fishes and the Enfield Food Shelf provide a tremendous service to the community and space should be provided for these groups, particularly the Enfield Food Shelf. She went on to state if the old senior center building can't be used, perhaps they should look to the Community Development Department to help these groups find space.
Councilman Fiore stated he looks at this building as trying to service the needs of Thompsonville and assisting with economic development of the area. He went on to state that at this point in time, he has a problem with keeping Social Services in leased space. He agreed with Councilman Mangini in that they do whatever they can to help the Enfield Food Shelf since that organization cannot remain in its present space much longer. He added his belief the Valley Repertoire is a good fit of this building. He stated his belief Loaves and Fishes should not go into the old senior center, but should remain where it is and noted this is a church-sponsored organization.
Councilman Tait pointed out Loaves and Fishes is not a church-sponsored organization. He noted they are only a tenant of St. Andrews Church and do pay rent to use that space. He pointed out that other than renting out space from St. Andrews Church, there's no connection between the two. He added St. Andrew's rented space is not ADA compliant, and Loaves and Fishes is running out of space. He stated his belief Loaves and Fishes would probably be willing to continue paying rent. He stated he would like to see the Enfield Food Shelf and Loaves and Fishes share the same space since they share the same clientele. He concluded stating perhaps they could look at another space for these two organizations.
Councilman Edgar questioned what the Town is paying for the leased space being used by Social Services, and Mr. Shanley responded $45,000 per year.
Councilman Edgar questioned if the floor bearing weight issue has been resolved and what would work cost for that floor. Mr. Shanley stated his belief the estimate was about $75,000. He added whatever is done in that building, that floor should be reinforced.
Councilman Edgar stated his first pick of tenants for this building would be Social Services and the Enfield Food Shelf.
Chairman Vayda suggested the Council prioritize what they would like to see in that building. He stated perhaps they should consider involving the Human Services Advisory Committee in this matter. He added he would like feedback from this Committee to learn what they consider an appropriate utilization of this facility.
Councilman Egan stated her belief the Human Services Advisory Committee is more of a nuts and bolts and outcome committee. She agreed the Council needs to get everything out on the table as to what they consider a priority.
Councilman Kaupin questioned the square footage of the senior center. Mr. McAlmond responded about 8,000 square feet of useable space.
Councilman Kaupin questioned whether serious renovation would be required to accommodate Social Services, and Mr. Shanley stated a proposal has not yet been made. He noted at this time, they just want a general direction and then they could create a scenario. He added his belief they'd probably have to do some significant work.
Councilman Kaupin stated he would not want to displace Valley Repertoire since they've used the space at the old senior center for several years.
Councilman Kaupin questioned how much space the Enfield Food Shelf requires, and Councilman Mangini responded about 4,000 square feet.
Councilman Hall stated her first priority would be to get Social Services out of leased space. She noted then they could look at who else they could accommodate. She added her belief Valley Repertoire should be accommodated.
Councilman Edgar stated his first priority is to avoid paying for leased space. He noted his next choice would be to accommodate the Enfield Food Shelf and Valley Repertoire.
Councilman Strom stated she also would be interested in hearing what the Human Services Advisory Committee thinks about this. She agreed with Councilman Hall in that they should get Social Services out of the leased space. She noted she would like to know the estimate to do renovations at the old senior center to accommodate the Social Services Department. She pointed out parking is also an issue at this location.
Councilman Tallarita stated his first choice would be to sell the old senior center building. He stated his belief renovation costs in this building will be very high. He noted if the building isn't to be sold, his first choice is that this space be used for Town services as well as Valley Repertoire. He stated his belief Valley Repertoire brings some cultural activity to the downtown area. He went on to state his belief the Town has set a precedence to house the Enfield Food Shelf and he feels they need to find that organization some space. Mr. Shanley pointed out this is not a legal precedence. Councilman Tallarita went on to state he's having a problem with Loaves and Fishes because although they're not religious funded at this time, it was a program that came out of the churches of the community. He raised a concern that the Town will have a moral obligation to take on this service if the organization that exists today doesn't exist a few years from now. He pointed out in other towns these types of services are run by private organizations and they're self-sufficient. He stated whatever service is placed in this building, he wants to see some accountability. He concluded stating his preference is to sell the building, and if not sell it, then turn it into Town space at a reasonable cost and after that the remaining space could be used for cultural/social needs.
As concerns accountability of any services using this building, Councilman Tait stated his belief Loaves and Fishes and Enfield Food Shelf maintain extensive statistics. He suggested the possibility of using the North School. He stated Loaves and Fishes is currently paying rent for space at St. Andrews Church, and he believes they wouldn't be adverse to paying rent for another space.
Councilman Mangini stated she would like more clarity about the load bearing capability of the floor in the senior center. Mr. Shanley pointed out regardless of the use of this building, there will probably be structural integrity issues that will need to be addressed.
Councilman Mangini questioned whether the Town has applied for any funding from the State of Connecticut through Social Services to help with some structural repairs to that building if the building is to be used by Social Services and charitable organizations. Ms. Allen stated there would be no funding available for that purpose.
Councilman Tallarita stated his belief they should learn what it would cost to accommodate the Social Services Department in that building.
Councilman Fiore agreed with comments by Councilmen Strom and Tallarita. He noted he has no problem leaving Social Services in their current building as long as the lease is practical. He added his belief it will be very expensive to renovate the old senior center to accommodate the Social Services Department. He noted there are a variety of small agencies who need space.
Councilman Kaupin questioned what guarantees are there that the building's integrity would be preserved if it were sold. Mr. Shanley stated this is a question that should be directed to the Town Attorney's office.
Councilman Egan questioned the possibility of the Food Shelf using the basement of the old senior center, and Mr. Shanley noted that space is very tight.
Councilman Edgar stated before he'd ever consider selling that building, he would want to have the stained glass windows appraised. Mr. Shanley pointed out federal monies paid for a re-leading of those stained glass windows about five years ago, and if the building was sold to a private firm, there might be some issues regarding a payback to the federal government.
Mr. Shanley summarized what he perceives the Council is looking for:
- the possible sale of the building, or pursuit of the following options:
- an analysis of what it would take to move Social Services into the old senior center
- the kitchen issue has to be resolved, since that room is right in the middle of the space that would be used for Social Services
- a look at the main hall for general use (not box-loading use) - what it would take structurally to seat a certain amount of people for meals and what it would take to seat a certain amount of people for a show
Councilman Edgar reiterated he would like an appraisal on the stained glass windows.
Mr. Shanley stated he wouldn't be doing any analysis of sale at this point, but rather he understands the Council would like details as to what it would take to get Social Services in that building and what it would take to shore up the main hall for group gatherings. He noted they would then bring this information to the Council.
Chairman Vayda questioned whether the Council wishes to get an appraisal on this building. It was the consensus of the Council to go forward with an appraisal.
Councilman Tallarita suggested they first look at the cost of accommodating Social Services, as well as resolving the kitchen issue. He noted from that point, they can discuss the remaining space.
MOTION #6013 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Strom 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 #6013 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:20 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Vayda at 7:21 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Edgar, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Kaupin, Mangini, Strom, Tait, Tallarita and Vayda. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley, Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki.
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation, and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Vayda adjourned the Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:41 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 #6014 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Egan to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #6014 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
|
| |