ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

QUARTERLY PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010

A Public Informational Meeting was held at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School Library at 117 Post Office Road, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, February 22, 2010.  Mayor Kaupin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Present from the Enfield Town Council were Councilmen Bosco, Dumont, Kaupin, Keller, Kiner, Lee, Mangini and Nelson.  Councilman Hall entered at 7:05 p.m.  Councilmen Crowley and Edgar were absent.

Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Director of Public Works, Piya Hawkes, Director of Social Services, Pam Brown; Director of Economic Development, Ray Warren; Chief of Police, Carl Sferrazza; Director of Libraries, Henry Dutcher; Director of Planning, Jose Giner; EMS Director, Kevin Sullivan; Judge of Probate, Sue Warner; Director of Finance, Lynn Nenni; Board of Education members, Greg Stokes, Judith Apruzzese-Desroches, Peter Jonaitis, Tom Sirard, Donna Szewczak

Some members of the public present included Earl and Connie Provencher, Mike Dumont, Margaret Jedziniak, Jack Sheridan, Andy Zander, Jen Avery, Maureen Brennan, Pam Townsend, Doug Finger. Mary Ann Turner.  Other members of the public joined the meeting, but names weren’t given.

Mayor Kaupin explained the format of a Public Informational Meeting, noting this is an informal question and answer meeting between the public, Council and Town staff.

Pam Townsend stated she frequently walks on Kimberly Drive and surrounding streets.  She noted the roads in this area are in poor condition.  She submitted photographs of the problem areas.

Mr. Hawkes stated Kimberly Drive won’t be addressed in the current road program because the Town is out of money.  He noted it will be necessary to generate a new list of roads that didn’t make the road programs.  He stated they can then try for another road referendum.

Resident – Questioned whether all the roads that were initially scheduled to be addressed will be priority roads in a new referendum, and Mr. Hawkes responded yes.

Mayor Kaupin explained in 1999 the voters passed a referendum for the Roads 2000 Program, which was a five-year road replacement program.  He noted this was to totally rehab roads which were in bad shape.  He stated the voters passed another referendum in 2004, and this was for a Roads 2005 Program. He noted it was always believed it would take three, five-year installments to address all the roads that needed attention. He pointed out the cost of bituminous pavement increased over the years, therefore, they could not do as much work as originally hoped.  He stated the Town is out of money for roads, and it will take another referendum to do more roads.  He noted the Town Manager has been directed to put together a potential referendum question for November, 2010.

Mrs. Jedziniak stated the Town previously attempted to fix a road problem in front of her house.  She pointed out there is still a noise problem as vehicles pass over this section of road.  She questioned when the Town will fix this.

Mr. Hawkes stated the dip in the road is causing this problem.  Mayor Kaupin requested Mr. Hawkes report back to the Town Council concerning Mrs. Jedziniak’s complaint.

Councilman Kiner suggested perhaps Mr. Hawkes can check into Ms. Townsend’s observations of poor conditions in the area of Kimberly Road.  He noted perhaps the Town can do some patching.  Mayor Kaupin questioned whether there are some underlying drainage issues in this area.  Mr. Hawkes responded that’s a possibility.

Ms. Townsend stated the conditions of the roads in the Kimberly Drive area are detracting from the neighborhood. She noted this is embarrassing. Councilman Lee questioned whether this issue should be referred to the Town Attorney’s office.

Mayor Kaupin suggested running the mileage in this area for a total reconstruction based on current bids so that they can give residents an estimation of the project cost.  Councilman Nelson pointed out the soil in this area is all clay, and those roads won’t be right unless they’re totally re-done.

Mr. Finger questioned the status on the Fermi High field remediation reimbursement money.  Mayor Kaupin stated the Town has been working on this.  He stated his recollection in October, 2006 when the project came to light, legislative leaders stated they would cover the cost.  He noted Representative Kathy Tallarita got a bond through the Legislature for $3.3 million dollars, and the Bond Commission approved those dollars.  It was recommended to the Town that the Department of Education’s share would be 50%.  Mr. Coppler went on to explain the School System submitted for reimbursement for a portion of the total project, and last year the Governor pulled the remaining $1.1 million dollars off the table of the Bonding Commission.

Mayor Kaupin stated this year, the Town used that reimbursement as anticipated revenue. He pointed out they’ve been trying to set up a meeting with the Department of Education concerning the $1.1 million dollars, and every month they attempt re-engaging them.

Mr. Finger questioned whether citizens can do anything about this.  Mayor Kaupin stated any contact with Town legislators or the Governor’s office is helpful.

Mrs. Jedziniak questioned how many projects are being litigated at this time, and what is the cost.

Councilman Lee stated the Town Attorney stated the average number of falls and blown tires is perhaps a half dozen.  Mr. Coppler estimated between five and ten cases are being litigated.

Mr. Zander complained about a person who frequently drives through the Windsor Street neighborhood with a very loud car stereo.  He noted this is a silver Honda with blue neon lights in the rear window.  He pointed out the radio is so loud that his windows rattle whenever this vehicle passes by.  He questioned if he calls the Police, do the Police have to witness this before anything can be done.  Chief Sferrazza responded no, a resident need only provide a statement.

A resident complained about multiple potholes going south on Raffia Road. Mayor Kaupin stated they can properly patch potholes as soon as the bituminous plant opens. He acknowledged the temporary cold patches do not last.  Mr. Hawkes added they keep a list of those areas where they put down cold patches and return in warmer weather to put in a hot pah and then seal that area. 

A resident pointed out he lived on Keller Court ten years ago, and it was then and still is in terrible condition.

A resident questioned the status on large tipper recycling barrels.  Councilman Nelson stated the Town applied for a grant that would supply a free recycling tipper barrel to each resident as well as supplying new recycling trucks to the Town.  He noted they are now waiting to hear back about this grant.  Mr. Coppler stated they may be hearing more about this grant in late March or early April.

Councilman Bosco pointed out residents can purchase a tipper recycling barrel.  Mr. Hawkes noted the Town charges $50 for a 96-gallon green tipper barrel. Councilman Nelson stated this system will work better with the new recycling trucks.

A resident pointed out she sees some recyclable materials which end up outside the recycling bins.  She noted on Simon Road, across from Eastgate, there is an accumulation of debris.

Ms. Turner questioned what’s being done about people who are not recycling.  She went on to question what’s being done about the accumulation of junk on Section 8 properties.

Mayor Kaupin stated his understanding they are now starting to tag people who are not recycling and instructing them how to properly recycle.

A resident suggested that in order to keep track of households not recycling, perhaps the solid waste personnel can call in problem households so that the office can follow up on those cases rather than over burdening solid waste personnel.

A resident questioned what the Town saves when it recycles.  Mayor Kaupin pointed out the current tipping fee for household trash is $69 per ton.  Mr. Coppler added there’s a current per ton rebate of $5.00 for recyclables.  He noted last year the Town saved $215,000 in recyclable material. He stated this is for an11% to 12% collection rate.  Mr. Hawkes added the goal is 54%.

Mr. Provencher suggested perhaps they should fine people who don’t recycle.  Mayor Kaupin questioned whether they could fine people, and Mr. Hawkes stated his belief that’s possible.

Mrs. Provencher requested more information about the alarm ordinance and the registration requirement.  Chief Sferrazza stated the purpose of the ordinance is to eliminate false alarms.  He pointed out the police respond to a false alarm as though it’s a real alarm.  He noted it’s $15.00 to register.  Mayor Kaupin noted if there are no false alarms, then there’s no subsequent re-registration fee.

Mr. Finger questioned the need for a registration fee.  He stated his belief they should be targeting only chronic offenders.  He suggested the registration be free and that there be a fine after three false alarms.

A resident stated his belief the Town shouldn’t be penalizing the whole population with a registration fee because of a few chronic offenders. He noted if it’s the Town’s purpose to create a revenue stream, that would be another thing.

Mayor Kaupin acknowledged the alarm ordinance needs further discussion.

Ms. Turner agreed registration should be free with fines for false alarms.

A resident suggested if there is to be a registration fee, the registration fee should be doubled for people who have false alarms and haven’t registered.

It was the general consensus of residents that registration should be free with fines for false alarms and double fines for unregistered alarms.

Councilman Nelson asked Chief Sferrazza how many alarms are actually real alarms, and Chief Sferrazza responded 1%.

A resident pointed out alarms are often triggered when power failures occur.  Chief Sferrazza stated that would be noted on the police report, and there should not be a fine in those instances.  He pointed out there is also an appeals process.

Mrs. Provencher questioned how many police officers are supposed to be at a school function.  Chief Sferrazza stated it depends on the event.  He noted for a large joint event between Enfield and Fermi High Schools, there could be ten to 12 officers present.  He noted there would be one officer for a basketball game.  He pointed out there’s an economic component to this.  He added previously there has never been a problem at a basketball game.  He stated at the recent Fermi basketball incident, seven to eight cruisers were on the scene within a very short time.

Ms. Apruzzese-Desroches questioned whether security officers are provided at games, and Chief Sferrazza stated there are school administrators present, but violent outbreaks are not their job.

A resident questioned whether the Town or School budget is paying for holding graduations at schools.  Mayor Kaupin stated the Town pays for labor and custodial services for set up and police.

A resident questioned whether the proposed School budget is on the website yet.  Mr. Stokes responded it should be, however, the budget to be presented tomorrow night is not.

Ms. Brennan questioned whether a zero to 1% increase is being proposed for the School budget.  Mayor Kaupin stated the Town Council has had no discussion on the School or Town budget, and there’s no formal directive.

Mr. Finger questioned the Town’s future.  Mayor Kaupin stated there was a joint meeting in January between the Town and School systems.  He noted there’s a projected revenue reduction of $3 million dollars. He noted the Town’s grand list grew by about $600,000.  He added a month ago, they were looking at a $5 million dollar deficit.  He pointed out the Town’s website will have the latest budget projections tomorrow.

A resident questioned whether the Town’s website will have more specific numbers, and Mr. Coppler responded not at this point.

A resident questioned why there is a dropping enrollment in schools and why is Enfield losing population.  Mr. Stokes pointed out families are smaller.  Mayor Kaupin noted Enfield’s population has been fairly stable at approximately 45,000. Mr. Stokes went on to note that many students are enrolled in magnet schools.  Mr. Sirard noted enrollment has been dropping in all types of schools.

A resident questioned what energy saving measures are being done in Town buildings.  Mr. Coppler stated Enfield received $188,000 from the Federal government for lighting projects in schools and Town buildings.  He noted because of some CL&P programs, they can do more than $188,000 worth of work.  He stated they’re looking at replacing boilers with high-energy boilers. He added they’re looking at grant funding for a boiler system in Town Hall, i.e., a geothermal system.

Mr. Jonaitis noted it would be helpful if residents contacted their legislators about unfunded mandates, i.e., getting rid of the new in-school suspension law. He stated this would help save money.

Mr. Sheridan noted although enrollment has gone down, staff has not decreased.  He suggested perhaps Enfield could do without a school or two.

A resident noted Parkman has a high enrollment.  Mr. Stokes stated the imbalance is because the district is not balanced correctly.  He noted the Board of Education proposed reconfiguring classrooms, which will result in less staff.  Mr. Jonaitis added they need to better balance the class load.

Mr. Sheridan pointed out the cost of educating a regular student is just under $15,000.

Ms. Brennan questioned what size class are they striving for, and Mr. Stokes responded 27.  He added they would like to see class sizes smaller than 27, and they believe they may be able to get down to 25.  He noted they worked out the numbers by personnel and students.

Ms. Jedziniak questioned what happened with the sister school redistricting they did previously.  She further questioned why they will waste money to do the same thing.  She noted the Board isn’t following their own direction.  Mr. Stokes stated if they do a reconfiguration, students will go back to their home schools.

Ms. Brennan stated five years ago they came up with suggestions, and the numbers were not where they are today.  She noted she wants to see the out-of-district tightened up.

Ms. Jedziniak stated a mother lives on Enfield Street, and a father lives near her.  She noted the mother brings the child to the father’s house where the child boards a bus for school.  Ms. Brennan stated if the bus isn’t full, they will probably let the student get on that bus.  Mr. Stokes stated if parents have joint custody, they can decide which school their child is going to attend.

Mr. Sheridan questioned whether the Town will look at cutting certain projects to save money, i.e., the bike path.  Mayor Kaupin noted they are looking at capital projects.  Mr. Coppler pointed out the Town Farm Road project (bike path) will not cost the Town any money.  He noted obviously they must go forward with the South Maple Street project.  He stated the transit center is nearly 80% funded, and in March, they will be making a decision as to whether they will move forward with the Connecticut River access project.

A resident pointed out all the pedestrian crosswalk lights are not working in the areas of Dunkin Donuts on Elm Street and between CVS and Starbucks on Hazard Avenue.  Mr. Hawkes made note of this.  Mayor Kaupin stated there should be a higher “No Turn on Red” sign at the intersection of Freshwater Boulevard and South Road.

Mayor Kaupin suggested residents can read about the fiscal mess at the State level by going to the Town’s website.  He noted the State has a $3.6 billion dollar deficit.  He stated these are pretty gloomy numbers, and they will effect Enfield.  He agreed residents should contact legislators about unfunded mandates.

As no one else wished to speak, Mayor Kaupin closed the meeting at 8:55 p.m.