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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2006
A Special 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. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Edgar, Kaupin, Lee, Maxellon, Nelson, Ragno, and Tallarita. Councilman Crowley entered at 7:05 p.m. Councilmen Hilinski, Mangini and Peruta were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Deputy Town Clerk, Karen Coolong; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Chief of Police, Carl Sferrazza.
RESOLUTION #8871 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Edgar.
WHEREAS, the School Building Charge requires the Town Council to approve the final settlement agreement with the Contractor for the Enfield High School Project, and
WHEREAS, the Town Council, having met on numerous occasions with the School Building Committee Chair, Vice Chair and Town Staff throughout the dispute process, and having reviewed the final settlement agreement finds it acceptable.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Council does hereby authorize the Town Attorney, Christopher W. Bromson, to settle the outstanding dispute with King Associates, Inc. regarding claims arising from the construction of a one and two-story addition to the existing Enfield High School facility, which claims were mediated by the American Dispute Resolution Center in mediation matter number 10-67-04 and as set forth in the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release, attached hereto, for the sum of $550,000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Manager Matthew W. Coppler is hereby authorized to execute the above-referenced Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release on behalf of the Town of Enfield.
Chairman Tallarita stated there has been a lot of discussion regarding this matter, and it’s believed this is a fair settlement.
Attorney Bromson stated the Town Manager has spent a lot of time familiarizing himself with this, and he is comfortable with this. He added his belief the attorneys and everyone else is comfortable with this.
Chairman Tallarita stated this concludes this project, and he’s confident everything anticipated to be done at Enfield High School has been done.
Councilman Edgar stated his belief there were a number of outstanding things, i.e., a leaky roof. Mr. Coppler stated his understanding there is still an issue regarding a leaky roof, and there will be some engineering work done to identify what should be done.
Councilman Edgar questioned whether this work will be done in house, and Mr. Coppler responded he is not certain.
Councilman Edgar questioned the amount of legal fees spent and pending, and from where the funding is coming to pay those legal fees. Mr. Coppler stated approximately $141,000 has been paid thus far in legal fees. Mr. Simmons added Colleen Brand could tell them what’s pending in legal fees, and this funding is coming from the bond money.
Councilman Edgar questioned whether Arthur Pongratz, the Director of School Facilities, has put in for any grant monies, and Mr. Copper responded he’d check into that.
Councilman Edgar pointed out he is not opposed to this settlement, but would like some answers before going to his committee meeting.
Chairman Tallarita stated his understanding that if any grant monies do come in, they will go to the Town’s general fund.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #8871 adopted 8-0-0.
RESOLUTION #8872 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Crowley.
RESOLVED, that Enfield Town Manager Matthew Coppler be and hereby is authorized to act on behalf of the Enfield Town Council in executing a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for participation in the FY 2007 Emergency Management Performance Grant program.
Chairman Tallarita questioned the difference between this year and next year. Mr. Vindigni stated last year the grant was for $17,000, and that reflected 25% of his work load committed to emergency management. He noted this year the grant would be for $23,000, which would not only cover his emergency management work load, but that of Mary Ann Turner as well.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if this will change Mary Ann Turner’s status, and Mr. Vindigni responded no.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if last year’s funds went toward Mr. Vindigni’s salary, and Mr. Vindigni noted that money goes into the general fund.
Chairman Tallarita questioned whether the Town’s current budget requires additional funding compared to last year. Mr. Vindigni responded no and noted the only increase would pertain to personal funds, i.e., pager or cell phone reimbursement.
Councilman Maxellon noted the Town isn’t NIMS certified. Mr. Vindigni stated the Town has to be NIMS certified by the end of September. He noted at this time the key thing is to complete the Emergency Operation Plan to be sure it is NIMS compliant. Councilman Maxellon stated volunteers in the fire service have to be within that requirement. Mr. Vindigni stated it’s specific to CERT people. He added based on information provided to him by the State, he can administer that in the next training session.
Councilman Crowley requested a copy of the structure as to how the process actually works. He added he would also like to see the structure of the command. Mr. Vindigni indicated he can provide some documentation.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #8872 adopted 8-0-0.
RESOLUTION #8873 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Crowley.
RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Enfield has determined that bidding for age related merchandise for the Enfield “Toys For Joy” Program would be against the best interest of the Town and therefore hereby waives the bid process in favor of using multiple retail outlets for efficiently obtaining necessary merchandise.
Chief of Police, Carl Sferrazza, was present for this discussion. He explained that by waiving the bid process, they could go to one wholesaler and purchase everything at one time.
Councilman Nelson questioned where the money comes from, and Chief Sferrazza stated these are donated monies from the community.
Councilman Kaupin questioned whether it’s necessary to come back every year for a bid waiver concerning this item. Attorney Bromson noted this resolution can be amended. He emphasized these are all donated funds.
AMENDMENT #1 by Councilman Edgar, seconded by Councilman Kaupin that this waiver will continue for the duration of the Toys For Joy Program.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #1 adopted 8-0-0.
Councilman Edgar stated he is usually against bid waivers, however, he will vote in favor of this because these are donated funds.
Councilman Nelson stated he also usually votes against bid waivers, but he will vote in favor of this resolution.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #8873 adopted 8-0-0, as amended.
MOTION #8874 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Crowley to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8874 adopted 8-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:28 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 7:29 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Kaupin, Lee, Maxellon, Nelson, Ragno, and Tallarita. Councilmen Hilinski, Mangini and Peruta were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni and Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson.
Personnel Matters were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 8:24 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 8:25 p.m. and stated during Executive Session they discussed Personnel Matters with no action or votes being taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #8875 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Lee to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8875 adopted 8-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:26 p.m. |