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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2005
Before the Regular Meeting was called to order the following proclamations were read:
A Proclamation regarding Fight Hunger Week presented to Linda Bridge, President of the Enfield Food Shelf
A Proclamation designating Saturday, May 14, 2005 as Letter Carriers Food Drive Day
A Proclamation regarding National Public Works Week to be presented to John Kazmarski-Director of Public Works
The Regular Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Council Chambers of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, May 2, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 7:46 p.m.
PRAYER – The Prayer was given by Councilman Mangini.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, and Tallarita. Councilman Tait was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons' Director of Information Technology, Charlene Bond; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki
FIRE EVACUATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Chairman Tallarita made the fire evacuation announcement.
MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
MOTION #7824 by Councilman Edgar, seconded by Councilman Mangini to accept the minutes of the April 18, 2005 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7824 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #7825 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Egan to accept the minutes of the April 18, 2005 Regular Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7825 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #7826 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Peruta to accept the minutes of the April 20, 2005 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7826 adopted 10-0-0.
MOTION #7827 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Edgar to accept the minutes of the April 25, 2005 Special Meeting.
Councilman Kaupin pointed out he entered this meeting after Councilman Dodd.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7827 adopted 10-0-0 as amended.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated she did not hear anything mentioned about the status of the Police Department at the recent Budget Hearing. She pointed out she was listening to the scanner today and there were multiple calls for police assistance. She questioned whether the police are fairly enumerated and appreciated for their hard work. She stated her belief their work is made harder with all of the accidents happening and all of the businesses in town taking up a lot of their time.
Ms. Jedziniak questioned whether it was unethical for the two school employees to speak up at the public hearing. She questioned what part takes precedence – being a taxpayer or being an employee of the school system. She stated her belief that according to the Town Charter, Town employees have to get permission from the Town Manager to speak before the Town Council.
She stated she read in the paper that five prisons are sending sewage to Enfield’s sewer system. She questioned if any of these are Somers’ prisons and if so, is Somers sending any sewage to Enfield.
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
Stated he does not believe there should be a tax increase when Enfield has almost a $6 million dollar increase in revenue. He feels there are things that can be done to avoid having any tax increase. He stated his belief the Town should live within the revenue they’re receiving.
Charles Woods, 11 Westerly Drive
Stated his belief the Town Council doesn’t listen to people about keeping taxes down. He feels reporters don’t ever report anything negative about Enfield.
Robert Tkacz, 1300 Enfield Street
Stated there was a good article in the New York Times about No Child Left Behind in Connecticut. He noted 16 of the 23 school systems in Fairfield County are in the top 30 for total test scores. He went on to note Enfield’s Superintendent and Principals are probably the highest paid in Northern Connecticut. He questioned the necessity of two curriculum directors.
COUNCILMEN COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Councilman Mangini stated the Enfield Food Shelf had a volunteer appreciation dinner last Friday at Grassmere.
Councilman Mangini stated the Council received a letter from Ms. Cokkinias’s Civics Class, and she plans to attend tomorrow morning. She noted this is a volunteer fair to showcase some of the social service agencies, and it runs between 8:30 and 12:30 p.m. She stated Councilmembers can visit anytime during that time period. She noted they are looking for any and all Councilmembers to attend.
MOTION #7828 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Mangini to move Items 13b and 13c to Miscellaneous this evening.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7828 adopted 10-0-0.
Councilman Peruta stated he went before Planning & Zoning and identified himself as a taxpayer, and he believed that was acceptable. He stated his belief if someone identifies themself as a Town or School employee, it should be acceptable.
Councilman Peruta expressed his appreciation to Mr. Vindigni who has been helpful in addressing speeding issues on Steele Road. He noted this is on ongoing problem, and residents are requesting a stop sign on this road. He stated he visited this area over the past couple weeks, and he believes a stop sign will be of some help. He noted the bigger issue has to do with traffic control throughout town. He stated other than putting out more police officers, there should be some new technology that can help with overall traffic control, especially speeders on roads such as Steele Road, Weymouth Road, Raffia Road, Simon Road, etc. He questioned if more can be done.
Councilman Crowley stated he visited Brainard Park yesterday and today and he believes Parks and Recreation did a great job with the ballfields. He requested the Town look into providing a few more benches and picnic tables in this area. He questioned if there will be straps for the handicap swing. Mr. Vindigni stated those seats are designed not to have straps. He noted they would still require a parent to monitor its usage.
Councilman Crowley raised the question of crosswalks on Brainard Road in front of Brainard Park. Mr. Vindigni stated he did speak to the Director of Public Works and Police Department regarding that matter.
Councilman Fiore stated the Town does have a traffic calming policy. He requested Mr. Vindigni provide Councilman Peruta with a copy of that policy. He noted perhaps this will provide some ideas to address speeding problems raised by Councilman Peruta.
Chairman Tallarita questioned when the Fishing Derby is scheduled. Mr. Vindigni responded Saturday, June 4th.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Shanley stated the Tuesday meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the Council will meet on Fletcher Road at 5:30 p.m.
He stated Enfield does take sewage from the Somers prisons as well as the Enfield prisons. He noted there has been an agreement since 1990. He explained the prison system pays Enfield per thousand gallons, plus they pay a percentage of all of Enfield’s capital investment in the system – about 15% on an annual basis. He added there’s a penalty clause whereby if they exceed 875,000 per day, they owe Enfield $3.00 per gallon. He pointed out this relates to the battle they’ve been in with the State, and Enfield settled for $2.875 million dollars.
Mr. Shanley informed Mr. Sheridan that the MDC is taking mercury thermometers and if a mercury thermometer is turned in early, they’ll exchange it for a digital thermometer.
He stated he does not know anything about a $6 million dollar increase in revenue, and he would like to talk with Mr. Woods regarding that figure.
Mr. Shanley addressed speeding issues and pointed out if they put a stop sign on a straightaway, it’s possible it actually results in more accidents. He noted this is why police departments across the country are hesitant to put them in where they really don’t fit.
TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
Attorney Bromson stated generally persons, even though they are on the Council or an employee, have the First Amendment right to voice their opinions publicly. He noted the Charter can’t be contrary to the federal law, however, the Charter can be looked at to see precisely what it states regarding this issue.
As concerns the issue of drivers for the Town not having their CDL’s and the liability issue to the Town, Attorney Bromson stated they talked to the Risk Manager and they have coverage that goes with the vehicle. He noted even if a person is driving while they don’t have a CDL, there’s still coverage if there’s an accident.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
There were no reports.
OLD BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN COUNCIL)
MOTION #7829 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Mangini to remove Item #3.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7829 adopted 10-0-0.
NOMINATION #7830 by Councilman Fiore to appoint Linda Wolodko (D) to the Commission on Aging, as an Alternate, for a term which expires 12/31/2005.
MOTION #7831 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Dodd to close nominations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7831
adopted 10-0-0.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared Linda Wolodko appointed to the Commission on Aging by a 10-0-0 vote.
All other appointments remained tabled.
Items c. and d. remained tabled.
NEW BUSINESS
There were no items on the Consent Agenda.
Appointments will appear under Old Business on the next agenda.
Items c. d. and e. will appear under Old Business on the next agenda.
MISCELLANEOUS
NOMINATION #7832 by Councilman Fiore to reappoint Theresa Jedynak (D) to the Cultural Arts Commission for a term which expires 05/31/2005.
MOTION #7833 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Egan to close nominations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7833 adopted 10-0-0.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared Theresa Jedynak appointed to the Cultural Arts Commission by a 10-0-0 vote.
NOMINATION #7834 by Councilman Kaupin to reappoint Diane Carlone (D) to the Cultural Arts Commission for a term which expires 05/31/2005.
MOTION #7835 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini to close nominations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7835 adopted 10-0-0.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared Diane Carlone appointed to the Cultural Arts Commission by a 10-0-0 vote.
RESOLUTION #7836 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini.
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 8(f) of the Town Charter, the following transfer is hereby made:
TO: Water Pollution Control Fund
Licenses & Certification $1,000.00
FROM: Water Pollution Control Fund
WPC Certification $1,000.00
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify the amount of $1,000.00 is available from Account #WPC Certification as of April 18, 2005.
/s/ Gregory Simmons, Director of Finance
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #7836 adopted 10-0-0.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Questioned if it’s possible to declare an “Overburden Taxpayers’ Week”.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #7837 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Dodd to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7837 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:24 p.m. |