MINUTES ADOPTED AS PRESENTED 01/19/2010
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010
The Regular Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Kaupin in the Council Chambers of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, January 4, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
PRAYER - The Prayer was given by Chairman Kaupin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Bosco, Crowley, Edgar, Kaupin, Keller, Kiner, Mangini and Nelson. Councilmen Dumont and Hall entered at 7:04 p.m. Councilman Lee was absent. Councilman Crowley left at 7:30 p.m. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Kevin Deneen; Director of Public Works, Piya Hawkes
FIRE EVACUATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Chairman Kaupin made the fire evacuation announcement.
MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
MOTION #711 by Councilman Nelson, seconded by Councilman Mangini to accept the minutes of the December 21, 2009 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #711 adopted 8-0-2, with Councilmen Dumont and Crowley abstaining.
MOTION #712 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Nelson to accept the minutes of the December 21, 2009 Regular Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #712 adopted 8-0-2, with Councilmen Dumont and Crowley abstaining.
SPECIAL GUESTS
The Enfield Town Council presented Robert Linn with a proclamation for his golfing accomplishments as follows:
· for his induction into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004
· for winning the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying Tournament in New Hampshire on August 11, 2009
· on September 23, 2009, he posted a three-stroke victory at the New England Senior Amateur Championship in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
· on January 7, 2010 he will receive the George M. Cohen Senior Player of the Year Award at the Massachusetts Golf Association Salute to Champions in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
· because he has always represented the Town of Enfield with class and dignity and has given back to the community through dedicated volunteerism
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Donald Christmas, 25 Lincoln Street
Spoke about an incident that took place on June 8, 2009. He noted he was taking his stepdaughter to Enfield High School because she missed her bus, and en route he stopped at the Whole Donut. He stated he saw a Channel 61 crew at the Chrysler dealership across the street from the Whole Donut. He noted he asked a white lady with blond hair if she knew what was happening across the street. She told him the dealership was turning into a used car dealership. The woman then asked him the meaning of the sticker on his vehicle, which read, “Just Because He Was Black Doesn’t Mean He Was Qualified to be President”. He told her this is his political view. The woman then called him racist and other names. He stated later that day he was running errands and was pulled over by a police officer who told him his vehicle was wanted in a felony. He was questioned about the postings on his vehicle, and he stated this is his political view, and he did not believe President Obama should have been elected because he believed he was the wrong person for the job. The police officer asked him whether he threatened the President of the United States, and he responded he did not. He pointed out his stepdaughter was a witness to this, but the officer wasn’t interested. He went on to tell the officer the statements on his car are not threatening and are only his political view.
Mr. Christmas stated the police officer made him sit in the pouring rain for an hour. He noted a car with blackened windows pulled up, and he was told to walk toward that car. He stated the officer spoke into a microphone and asked, “Is this Donald Christmas?” He noted he never saw who made the accusation against him. He pointed out the officer stated what his name was, and they arrested him at that time. He noted he wasn’t told what he was being arrested for, and he had no idea what was going on. He stated he was brought to the police station and met with the Secret Service who asked if he threatened the President of the United States to which he replied he never did. He noted he told the Secret Service his stepdaughter was in the car and she could corroborate everything, however, they did not want to hear anything about that. He stated he was at the police station until 5:00 p.m. that night until his wife could bail him out.
He stated he asked the police who made these accusations, and he was told he would have to find this out the following day. He noted on the following day he learned the accusations were made at 8:40 a.m. He stated this encounter took place at 7:05 a.m. He questioned if he was such a national threat, why did this woman wait until 8:40 a.m. to call the Enfield Police Department.
Mr. Christmas stated the Enfield Police Department did not do their job. He noted a few weeks ago, this police officer told him there are a couple Council members who wish he would disappear and never come back again. He stated this officer didn’t do his job properly, lied, and only wanted to see him get arrested. He noted they destroyed his life for no reason. He stated the police should have done a better investigation. He pointed out he learned two weeks later through television that the lady who made the accusation against him is black. He noted he did not see a black lady the morning of the incident. He stated if the Enfield Police Department did their job, he never would have been arrested. He stated this caused his family all kinds of heartache and pain, his parent’s business was almost shut down, and he had to stay in a hotel for a couple days because his life was threatened. He noted the Enfield Police Department put him in jail for the mere fact of someone else’s words. He pointed out if he had been put in a line-up, the black woman would not have known him. He noted the police officer told the woman his identity.
He concluded stating his belief a couple Enfield police officers should be investigated.
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
Stated he has learned that when the Town cleans its sidewalks, it leaves snow in the area of obstructions. He suggested they shovel out these areas so that pedestrians don’t have to walk out into the road to get around these obstructions. He noted a couple examples of such areas are near the Hazardville Memorial School and Elm Street where the road turns to the left toward the Police Station. He pointed out it’s particularly important to clear such obstructed areas where children walk to school.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated on December 21st, Councilman Keller responded to a question she raised on December 7, 2009. She noted he must have misunderstood the subject she spoke about. She stated the Social Services Department procured the state grant that amounted to $80,000 per year, and that grant expired in three years. She noted at that time a Youth Prevention Coordinator was hired by the Social Service Department for a salary of $37,139 plus benefits, which amounted to $48,208 per year. She noted over three years, this amounts to $144,624, and this is to administer that program. She stated evidently, Councilman Keller was led to believe that there was an extra fee of only $5,000 for secretarial services. She noted she was referring to the professional person who actually implements the program, not secretarial support.
Ms. Jedziniak stated if that three-year social services program has run out, the administrator that came with that program should go along with it, and that would save the Town quite a bit of money in the Social Service Department budget.
Donald Christmas, 25 Lincoln Street
Stated his belief there should be a special committee that citizens can go to when the Enfield Police Department does shabby work and destroys people’s lives. He feels there should be a committee that can remove officers that are less than honorable. He stated his belief it’s pretty horrible that his children were harassed for weeks after what happened to him, which wasn’t even true. He pointed out his step daughter knew the full story.
Mr. Christmas stated if Enfield did a background check on some officers, those officers probably wouldn’t be there because there are officers arresting people for the same thing they did.
COUNCILMEN COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Councilmen Mangini commended the Public Works Department for doing a wonderful job during this last snowstorm.
Councilman Mangini thanked everyone for their support of the Enfield Food Shelf during the holidays. She urged people to continue being generous.
Councilman Mangini stated she attended a send-off party for Ryan Holloway, a marine who has been deployed to Afghanistan. She wished Ryan well.
Councilman Crowley stated last month the Enfield High School booster club held their annual banquet, and the Outback Steakhouse put this on and had to pull a permit. He noted the Board of Health had to come down and they did a fantastic job.
Referring to the sidewalk ordinance, Councilman Crowley stated some residents with sidewalks feel they’re being picked on since many residents don’t have the responsibility of clearing sidewalks of snow. He went on to state he is in favor of the ordinance.
Councilman Crowley stated his belief Public Works did a fantastic job of clearing the roads during the recent snowstorm. He added refuse pick-up was great during the holidays.
Councilman Dumont questioned when the recycling door hangers will go out.
Councilman Dumont stated a section of Ganny Terrace between Shaker Road and Carmella Terrace is in terrible condition. She questioned if any major work is scheduled for this section.
Councilman Nelson agreed that Public Works did a phenomenal job on the roads during the recent snowstorm.
MOTION #713 by Councilman Nelson, seconded by Councilman Mangini to suspend the rules to address under Miscellaneous Items 14 A1, A2, B1 and D.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #713 adopted 9-0-0.
Councilman Bosco stated he was contacted by a Colonial Drive resident, and he was supposed to be sent an e-mail regarding a bank-owned, blighted house. He noted he never received the e-mail, nor does he have the address, and he requested this resident forward this information to him.
Chairman Kaupin stated Key Initiatives to Early Education (KITE) is holding their annual meeting at the Thompsonville Village Center at 100 High Street on Wednesday, January 6th at 5:30 p.m. He noted Council members are invited to attend.
Chairman Kaupin stated he received his recycling door hanger. He requested an update on the distribution process. He noted CRRA is now accepting the expanded number of items, especially in the plastics #1 through #7.
Chairman Kaupin requested an update on the implementation of the sidewalk-clearing ordinance because it goes into effect tomorrow, January 5th.
Chairman Kaupin questioned if graduations return to the high schools, how is the Town going to be prepared to support that either with purchasing or leasing a covering and whether it’s recommended the graduation be held on the ball field or some other location. He questioned how this would be supported now that custodial services are on the Town side of the budget. He questioned who absorbs the additional cost for the custodial support for a graduation. He noted the police expense is typically an additional charge to the school system as well. He questioned if the police expense would be a school or town expense.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
As concerns the Youth Services grant, Mr. Coppler stated his belief there was a mix-up in communications. He stated his impression Councilman Keller was talking about the grant that was being considered by the Town Council, and Ms. Jedziniak was talking about a grant that was in place for a while. He noted the information that came back from Pam Brown of Social Services was based upon the recent grant.
Mr. Coppler stated they’re relying on volunteers to distribute the recycling door hangers. He noted quite a few door hangers were delivered before Christmas and over the holidays. He noted he will check tomorrow to learn what the timeframe is for the rest of that distribution. He suggested people go to the Town’s website to learn more about what’s going on with recycling.
Mr. Coppler stated the Town’s website provides information about parking bans and a countdown clock is included. He noted this information can also be found on E-TV.
Chairman Kaupin stated his belief parking bans should be more descriptive, i.e., an effective time. Mr. Coppler stated the problem with the parking ban is the end time. He noted this can be clarified.
Chairman Kaupin stated Q-Alert customers have not yet received a Q-Alert e-mail regarding a parking ban or sidewalk clearance. Mr. Coppler stated that’s one of the modifications they’re making, and they’re also adding more information on the front page. He noted there will also be an option where people can click on a form and report a sidewalk in violation. He acknowledged more work needs to be done with communications.
Mr. Coppler referred to Ganny Terrace and noted the funding for the Roads 2005 Program is almost at an end, therefore, they will be talking about the next road program. He noted in the meantime, perhaps they can see if there’s any money within other accounts to learn whether they can do temporary fixes in the spring.
As concerns high school graduation, Mr. Coppler stated about two years ago there was a discussion about holding graduation at Fermi. He noted at that time they looked at the covering they would have to utilize, and that covering was about $35,000. He stated there’s also a set-up time involved. He stated the location of the graduation is a Board of Education issue. He stated they will make available all the information gathered in the past so they can be prepared to discuss this at the next meeting. He went on to note custodial services related to the uses of the buildings are the responsibility of the Town, and the Town decided they would be responsible to cover any police costs for any of the functions that happen on school property. He noted there is a charge for private use of the schools.
Councilman Nelson stated his understanding money is collected at the gate for school athletic events, and the money goes into a school athletic fund account. He questioned what that money is used for, and can the Council get an itemized list of what that money was used for during the past two years. Mr. Coppler indicated he’d check into this.
TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
There was no formal report this evening.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
There was no report this evening.
OLD BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN COUNCIL & TOWN MANAGER)
All appointments remained tabled.
All Items remained tabled.
NEW BUSINESS
There were no items under New Business.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN COUNCIL)
The appointments to the Hazardville Water Company Advisory Council will appear under New Business on the next agenda.
MISCELLANEOUS
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION #714 by Councilman Dumont, seconded by Councilman Mangini to accept the Consent Agenda. Transfer of Funds $7,340 Public Safety DUI Enforcement
Transfer of Funds $12,120 Public Safety Overtime
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #714 adopted 9-0-0.
NOMINATION #715 by Councilman Nelson to appoint Charles Mastroberti (R) to the Zoning Board of Appeals as a full-time member for a term which expires 12/31/2011.
MOTION #716 by Councilman Nelson, seconded by Councilman Dumont to close nominations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #716 adopted 9-0-0.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared Charles Mastroberti to the Zoning Board of Appeals by a 9-0-0 vote.
RESOLUTION #717 by Councilman Dumont, seconded by Councilman Kiner.
WHEREAS, the Enfield Board of Education and the Enfield Administrators’ Association entered into collective bargaining for the renewal of their agreement; and
WHEREAS, Councilman Bill Lee, as Council Liaison, participated in the negotiation process providing valuable insight and opinions; and
WHEREAS, the Enfield Board of Education and Enfield Administrators’ Association were unable to agree on a proposed collective bargaining contract, compelling the parties to proceed to binding arbitration;
WHEREAS, the arbitration panel released its ruling on December 16, 2009, with an award favorable to the Enfield Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, according to state statute, the Town of Enfield has 25 days from the date of the arbitration panel’s ruling to appeal; and
WHEREAS, the ruling is favorable to the Enfield Board of Education, it has requested that the Town Council not appeal this award.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Enfield Town Council does hereby support the ruling of the arbitration panel regarding the contract between the Enfield Board of Education and the Enfield Administrators’ Association and hereby waives its right to appeal said ruling.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Enfield Town Council wishes to thank all those individuals that participated in the process, especially the Members of the Board of Education, the School’s Administration, Councilman Lee, and the members of the Enfield Administrators’ Association.
Councilman Mangini requested clarification whether by passing this resolution the Council is in fact supporting the Board of Education in their decision, and Chairman Kaupin responded that’s correct. He referred to the arbitrator’s award on wages and noted there is a zero percent increase in 2010-2011; a 1.75% increase in 2011-2012; a 1.5% increase in 2012-2013. He noted there was no step increase in the middle year (2011-2012) and step increases estimated at .77% in 2010-2011 and .64% for 2012-2013. He noted the Board of Education prevailed on the substantial issues that were up for discussion. He stated in conversations, it was asked if it would be appropriate to pass a resolution that supported the process and the results that came out of the award on December 16th.
Councilman Mangini stated she wanted to be clear that the Council is not passing a resolution that’s contrary, and Chairman Kaupin responded the Board of Education will be passing a similar resolution at their next meeting.
Councilman Nelson stated this will be a tough one for him. He pointed out everyone is taking decreases in pay at this time, and he doesn’t understand how they’re giving out raises. He acknowledged the raises are small, however, the Town’s budget will be terrible this year, and it will get worse over the next couple years. He stated he doesn’t want to set a precedent that the Town of Enfield can still hand out raises. He noted the only way to pay for things such as this is through raised taxes. He stated he does not support a raise in taxes to give out raises this year.
Chairman Kaupin referred to the process that the Town Manager and Superintendent went through and noted this is a very favorable award.
Councilman Nelson agreed the Town and Board worked together, and he will vote for this, however, he will not vote for taxes to be raised.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #717 adopted 9-0-0.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
Thanked Councilman Nelson for his efforts to avoid a tax increase. He noted many teachers are trying to get into Enfield because of the high salaries. He went on to note Enfield has a low per capita income at $22,000.
As concerns the clearing of sidewalks after snowstorms, Mr. Sheridan stated the Town has to be sure they clear their own sidewalks.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated even a small raise on salaries of $80,000 and $90,000 amounts to a lot of money. She noted her electricity, fuel, healthcare and everything else has gone up. She questioned where they think taxpayers will get this extra money. She noted she wouldn’t have given in as easily as the Town Council did. She pointed out many people don’t have enough food to eat. She stated she can’t believe they’re giving raises.
COUNCILMEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no comments.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #718 by Councilman Nelson, seconded by Councilman Kiner to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #718 adopted 9-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Appended to minutes of 01/04/2010
Regular Town Council Meeting
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF FUNDS
RESOLUTION NO. ________
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 8(f) of the Town Charter, the following transfer is hereby made.
TO: 2100 Police
Overtime 100-01-20-2100-6093-0140-00 $7,340.70
FROM: Other State Revenue
DUI Enforcement Program100-01-00-2100-6093-000-00 $7,340.70
CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the above-stated funds are available as of December 15, 2009.
A. Lynn Nenni, Director of Finance
APPROVED BY: ______________________ Town Manager Date: _________
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF FUNDS
RESOLUTION NO. ________
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Chapter VI, Section 8(f) of the Town Charter, the following transfer is hereby made.
TO: 2100 Police
Overtime 0100-01-0020-2100-00000-140-00 $12,120.12
FROM: Other State Revenue 0100-01-0000-0000-13990-000-00 $12,120.12
DUI Enforcement Program
CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the above-stated funds are available as of Oct. 20, 2009.
A. Lynn Nenni, Director of Finance
APPROVED BY: ______________________ Town Manager Date: _________ |