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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 18, 2002
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Vayda in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, March 18, 2002 at 6:17 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilmen Edgar, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Mangini, Strom, Tait and Vayda. Councilman Tallarita entered the meeting at 6:32 p.m. Councilman Kaupin was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Director of Planning and Community Development, Jose Giner; Director of Economic Development, Raymond L. Warren; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION RE: POTENTIAL CIP FUNDING PROJECTS
Present from the Planning & Zoning Commission were Jeffrey Cooper, Robert Egan, James Hickey, James Howard, Joseph Jedynak and Karen Weseliza.
Mr. Shanley stated this process is intended as a result of the Charter to inform the Planning & Zoning Commission of anything in the budget that the Town Manager may present to the Council that may require 8-24 referral at some point. He highlighted the following items:
Shapiro Report a linkage in the green space between the Bigelow Commons and downtown area; development of a working capital fund to assist small businesses, i.e., benches, planters, etc.
World War II Monument will likely require site plan approval
Tennis Courts this will finish the tennis court project and will require site plan approval at JFK in order to add another court
North School Complex a proposal to acquire property next to North School, demolish that building in order to create parking
Hazardville Institute an expenditure would be necessary to stabilize this building for the next five years
Jablonski Improvements the site plan may be effected for work behind the building around the salt shed
Records Storage Addition the continuance of the process of putting together funding to create a records storage addition and this will require a site plan
Town Hall Site Improvements to complete the work they have been doing, specifically the parking lot behind Town Hall so that its consistent with the southwest parking area
Green Manor Sidewalks this is an ongoing project in the removal of any sidewalks an 8-24 referral may be required
Town Road Paving & Construction this was included should a hammerhead be required which would require P&Z approval
Road Drainage Improvements this is continuous funding for five years to provide funding to address significant off road right-of-way drainage issues this type of work may require an 8-24 approval from time to time
Buckhorn Drainage may or may not require P&Z approval
JFK Middle School Storm Drainage Outlet this is a very significant project and may require site plan approval
Councilman Fiore questioned if the JFK drainage work is to stabilize the slope near the old football field and Mr. Shanley responded yes.
Councilman Fiore stated he does not see any allocation for the Northgate project. Mr. Shanley explained this format is for review with Planning & Zoning.
MOTION #5765 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Egan to adjourn.
Councilmen Mangini and Egan rescinded the motion to adjourn.
SPECIAL GUEST: HERBERT FOY RE: ROTARY CLUB PARK
Present for this discussion were Herb Foy, Fred Bomely, Mike Helechu and Pat Settembrino, the President of the Enfield Rotary Club
Mr. Settembrino stated the Rotary was founded a long time ago by Paul Harris, and there is a special recognition award that rotary clubs give out and its called the Paul Harris Recognition Award. He explained its the highest honor that can be achieved in the Rotary world. He stated this year they are honoring Mary Lou Strom with this award. He noted they will be honoring her on May 8, 2002 at Grassmeres Country Club. He stated this will be an evening dinner and a formal recognition of an award that is very well suited to all of the things Ms. Strom has done for the Rotary Club and Enfield over the years.
Mr. Foy then spoke about the proposal for Rotary Club Park at the new senior citizen center. He noted they would donate a gazebo, arbor and furniture. He stated Mr. Kazmarski indicated there might be a little problem concerning storage of this furniture, therefore, the park may start out with a lesser amount of furniture as shown in the illustration.
Mr. Helechu stated the gazebo cost is approximately $20,000. He noted the Rotary membership and Board had approved an expenditure of not more than $26,000 for the project. He stated they took this proposal to the Senior Center Building Committee on February 12th. He noted they would like to get the Towns endorsement of the project and the Towns agreement to provide site preparation, landscaping, water, electricity, and other things that would normally go with such an installation, as well as assuming the insurance coverage and liability as well. He added they would also like approval for the Rotary Club and other groups to use the gazebo and the park for appropriate events. He noted perhaps they could have an application process similar to that used for the Town Green and gazebo. He stated the Rotary Committee would be the liaison between the Town and the Rotary Club. He noted if they get the Towns blessing, theyll work closely with the Building Committee.
Mr. Foy stated they already spoke to Mr. Kazmarski and Ms. Brand regarding the site preparation and landscaping, and they were very cooperative. He noted the site preparation and landscaping was already planned, therefore, it wasnt anything extra. He stated they wanted the Town Councils endorsement on this project. He pointed out they have the Building Committees endorsement.
Councilman Fiore stated he and Councilman Egan are liaisons for the Senior Center Building Committee, and he believes the Senior Center Building Committee is behind this 100%. He noted there were a couple open items. He stated in the original Rotary proposal there seemed to be a perception that it would have included landscaping from the Rotary, therefore, the Senior Center Building Committee did not appropriate any money for plants or shrubs in that area. He noted there is also the concern of storage of the furniture. He added the Senior Center Building Committee wasnt going to entertain the name of this park because they felt that should be up to the Council.
Mr. Shanley pointed out the Municipal Site and Building Review Subcommittee would have to review this site plan.
Councilman Falk questioned if theres currently an architectural plan showing details. Mr. Foy stated they have an architectural plan for the gazebo.
Councilman Fiore stated the plan that the Town Council and Building Committee approved includes the electrical and at least partial water for the proposed park site. He noted the sidewalk was not part of the cost. Councilman Falk questioned if these costs are coming out of the referendum funding, and Councilman Fiore responded yes, because they were planning to install lighting and water for some type of irrigation since they would have had plantings anyway.
Councilman Falk raised the topic of naming the park. Mr. Settembrino stated the Rotary has done a lot for Enfield over the years, i.e., scholarships and helping out other organizations for many years. He noted they felt it was appropriate to recognize the Rotary Club.
Chairman Vayda stated his belief some credit needs to be given to the Rotary Club.
It was agreed to address this item on the next Council agenda.
Councilman Edgar stated he would like something from the Rotary Club inviting donations.
Councilman Strom referred to the field house at the Shaker Soccer Complex being named for Lego. She pointed out the signage for the Rotary Club Park would not be a roadside sign, but rather a sign near the arbor entrance to the park. She added her feeling the Rotary Club should get some recognition for their generous contribution.
DISCUSSION RE: BR-1 AGREEMENT
Present for this discussion was Ray Warren, Director of Economic Development and Gerald Fitzsimons, Chairman of the Development/Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Fitzsimons stated they are ready to move forward on a revised purchase and sale agreement. He noted the remaining item prior to execution of that amended and restated purchase and sale agreement would be substitution of Simon Konover as the general partner of Enfield Ventures Partnership in place of Oscar Plotkin. He noted the only other change in the purchase and sale agreement is a financing contingency given the changing complexity of the hotel-financing situation.
He stated Simon Konover is well known in Enfield in terms of development and he also has a great deal of strength in the hotel area. He noted the EDA did vote to move forward with the execution of the revised agreement.
Councilman Hall questioned if the Town Attorney has been involved in the process of negotiating the contract and drafting the actual legal documents. Mr. Warren stated the
Development Agency had a private attorney for this project, and that attorney has been on it every step of the way. He pointed out every time theres a draft, change or issue, they copy the Town Attorney so that theyre well advised. Mr. Shanley added the Town Attorney recommended the attorney thats being used by the EDA.
Mr. Warren pointed out there isnt much of a change from the last agreement. He noted the only other item is the date changed to reflect the new reality. He stated the buyers have revised the site plan based on the recommendations of the hotel, which is a Marriott product, and that revised site plan has been approved by Inlands/Wetlands recently. He noted the next step is to take it to Planning & Zoning. He stated this is moving forward with a strong general partner with a lot of experience.
Councilman Falk referred to a document that says the project will be finished no later than four months after start. He stated his impression thats a very narrow window for a building of this magnitude. He questioned if thats realistic. Mr. Warren stated he will check into this.
Councilman Hall questioned how much of a window exists for the contingency date. Mr. Warren indicated hed check into this.
Councilman Egan questioned if the next step is to go before Planning & Zoning. Mr. Warren responded yes.
Councilman Fiore requested a copy of the drawings. Mr. Warren indicated they can be provided.
It was agreed this item will be moved to Miscellaneous on this evenings Regular Meeting agenda.
MOTION #5766 by Councilman Strom, seconded by Councilman Hall 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 #5766 adopted 9-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:10 p.m. Councilman Mangini left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Vayda at 7:11 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilmen Edgar, Egan, Falk, Fiore, Hall, Strom, Tait, Tallarita and Vayda. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Director of Economic Development, Raymond L. Warren; 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 7:30 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:31 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 #5766A by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Strom to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #5766A adopted 9-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
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