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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2005
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Deputy Mayor Fiore in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, May 2, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Peruta and Reveruzzi. Councilman Mangini entered at 6:35 p.m., Councilman Kaupin entered at 6:37 p.m., Councilman Dodd entered at 6:45 p.m., Chairman Tallarita entered at 6:50 p.m., and Councilman Crowley entered at 7:10 p.m. Councilman Tait was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Deputy Director of Public Works, Geoffrey McAlmond; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons, Registrars of Voters, Vaughan Vanderscoff and Liane Flynn
BUDGET DISCUSSION – REGISTRAR
Ms. Flynn stated the major increases included $15,000 for postage, and $2,000 for printing and reproduction. She explained over ten years ago legislation was passed that allowed them to use the National Change of Address System to do their canvassing. She pointed out they are required, by law, to do town-wide canvassing every year. She noted they used to send something out to each and every voter, and when they started doing the National Change of Address, they saved thousands of dollars every year. She stated one drawback is that it’s not as accurate and things start getting off track. She noted they decided it would be best to do a town-wide canvass at least once every ten years to do a very thorough clean-up. She stated they don’t have to do this by law, and it is a big expense.
Ms. Vanderscoff explained the only problem with the National Change of Address System is that they only get those people who change their address at the post office, and this is not an accurate system.
Deputy Mayor Fiore acknowledged that a very thorough job probably should be done, but he questioned if this could wait until next year. Ms. Flynn stated it could wait until next year. Deputy Mayor Fiore questioned if the normal $2,000 per year for postage will suffice for this year, and Ms. Flynn stated it may have to go up a little because she heard there might be an increase.
Councilman Peruta questioned what’s involved in the “clean-up”. Ms. Vanderscoff stated every voter should get a canvass card, postage included, and the voter sends this back.
Councilman Mangini questioned whether many poll workers were lost when they cut out funding to feed the workers. Ms. Flynn stated they did lose workers when they cut that out of the budget. She added they tried to compromise by increasing the payment to the workers.
Ms. Flynn stated the new machines will be coming in next week, and they have been assured of getting one new machine for each polling place.
DISCUSSION RE: TRANSFER STATION SCALE INSTALLMENT
Mr. Shanley stated according to Public Works estimates, approximately 10% to 12% of the population actually uses the landfill. He noted it costs about $400,000 per year to dispose of things, and their current permitting process is pulling in about $20,000. He stated the whole idea is to create more of a user fee base for this particular service, particularly as it applies to commercial operators.
Mr. Kazmarski stated the scales were delivered last week and transported from the Public Works facility to the transfer station.
Mr. McAlmond stated the scales were put in the temporary location so that they can operate the scale until it’s permanently installed. He noted tomorrow they’ll be finished wiring it and making the electronic connections. He stated on Wednesday they’ll be calibrating the scales and training the operators. He stated his hope that by next Tuesday they’ll be in a position to start weighing Town trucks and any vendor trucks that are leaving the facility with material from the Town. He stated they will do this as a shakedown for the balance of this month and the last day in May they’ll begin weighing the commercially permitted vehicles and begin charging them. He stated they could possibly be operational for all residential use on July 6th.
Mr. McAlmond stated they are suggesting that any residents with unused punch cards be given a credit on their account.
Mr. Shanley stated the fee is five cents a pound.
Mr. McAlmond stated they have to charge for everyone. He noted one issue they’ve had to deal with in the past is the practice of people hiding heavy items under leaves. Deputy Mayor Fiore stated this is one of the reasons why there’s a need to charge for residential yard clippings. Mr. McAlmond stated last year they received a bathtub, a furnace, bicycles, etc. along with yard waste.
Mr. Kazmarski stated a small percentage of Enfield residents use the transfer station. He noted the vast majority utilize curbside pick-up. He pointed out the bulk of the community is subsidizing a small percentage of people using the facility, and in some cases people who are abusing the facility. He stated it seems more than fair to charge for use of the transfer station. He pointed out the five cents per pound does not include any labor costs, but rather it covers hauling and disposal work.
Mr. Shanley explained landfills have evolved enormously over the last fifteen years, and this is a step in catching up to that evolution. He noted they no longer simply throw things into a hole, but rather they have to separate everything, remove freon, dispose of hazardous materials, and dispose of everything in specific ways.
Mr. McAlmond pointed out Public Works provides curbside bulky collection by appointment for a fee of $30. He added they also collect yard waste on a weekly basis.
Councilman Peruta stated his belief this is a good idea. He praised the staff and operation at the landfill.
Councilman Egan stated she received a couple phone calls from residents about bringing grass clippings to the landfill. She questioned whether the scale could be used for this purpose. Mr. McAlmond stated the problem has to do with items included with the grass clippings. Mr. Shanley stated confrontations can take place when staff has to go through the clippings to be sure that’s all there is. He noted the whole idea is to de-intensify the whole process. Mr. Kazmarski stated there are several times every year when someone gets very belligerent.
Councilman Egan stated she’s glad they have the scale. She commended the staff and operation at the landfill.
Deputy Mayor Fiore noted there are instances of individuals who are running a commercial business and bringing their waste to the landfill.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if there will be a window of opportunity when they allow leaves to come in. Mr. McAlmond responded it would be similar to what they’ve done in the past.
Chairman Tallarita questioned whether they will be accepting credit cards, and Mr. McAlmond stated the Finance Department would have to approve that. He noted at this point they’re expecting to collect cash and checks. If they receive a bad check, they will turn it over to the Police Department.
Councilman Kaupin questioned the possibility of a pre-paid debit card. Mr. McAlmond stated their system allows for an advanced payment.
Councilman Kaupin questioned how they will let current permit holders know about this change. Mr. Kazmarski stated they will have to put out flyers and signage at the transfer station.
Chairman Tallarita questioned whether there will be notification of this in the newspaper, and Mr. Shanley responded yes.
MOTION #7822 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to go into Executive Session to discuss Real Estate Negotiations, Pending Litigation, and Personnel Matters.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7822 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:12 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 7:13 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson
Real Estate Negotiations, Pending Litigation, and Personnel Matters were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:38 p.m. and stated during Executive Session they discussed Pending Litigation, Real Estate Negotiations, and Personnel Matters and no action or votes were taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #7823 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Egan to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7823 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:39 p.m. |