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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2004
Before the Regular Meeting was called to order, Chairman Tallarita read a Proclamation designating May 16 to May 22, 2004 as National Public Works Week presented to John Kazmarski, Director of Public Works.
Mr. Kazmarski stated his staff is very deserving of this recognition. He noted Enfield has a very dedicated and skilled Public Works staff. He invited any resident interested in learning a little more about Public Works to call his office.
PRAYER - The Prayer was given by Councilman Dodd.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, Tait, and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manger, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Director of Information, Charlene Bond
FIRE EVACUATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Chairman Tallarita made the fire evacuation announcement.
MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
MOTION #7192 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini to accept the minutes of the April 26, 2004 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7192 adopted 8-0-3, with Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, and Reveruzzi abstaining.
MOTION #7193 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Egan to accept the minutes of the April 28, 2004 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7193 adopted 9-0-2, with Councilmen Edgar and Kaupin abstaining.
MOTION #7194 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to accept the minutes of the May 3, 2004 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7194 adopted 11-0-0.
MOTION #7195 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to accept the minutes of the May 3, 2004 Regular Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7195 adopted 11-0-0.
MOTION #7196 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Edgar to accept the minutes of the May 5, 2004 Special Meeting.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7196 adopted 11-0-0.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
Charles Woods, 11 Westerly Drive
Stated his belief the Council was bailed out by the State monies that came in because they didn't have to make the tough decisions they should have made. He feels there were still some things that could have been cut out of this budget so that there wouldn't have been any tax increase at all. He stated he saw party politics being played and a lot of decisions being made behind closed doors. He concluded expressing his disappointment in this budget outcome.
Frank Selleck, 1 Moon Street
Stated he represents other residents of Moon Street and adjacent streets about a blight problem on Clear Street. He noted many of these residents have been complaining
about this situation for the past 15 years with some success, but with no follow through. He noted residents are tired of their properties being devaluated as a result of this blight problem. He stated a petition has been forwarded to the Town Manager, the Chief of Police and other people regarding this matter.
Rick , Oldefield Farms
Stated his parents live next to this blight problem. He thanked the Assistant Town Manager and Police Department for taking some steps to help with this problem. He noted residents would like to see the progress continue.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated her belief the tax rate shouldn't increase at all after receiving extra money from the State.
Ms. Jedziniak expressed her concern that the EMS will become another bureaucracy in Enfield. She questioned whether this service has to be a combination of two entities - the Town and the Fire Departments. She questioned whether figures are available as to the exact difference in the amount of cost between the two systems - the Town and the Fire Districts. She questioned whether the $600,000 or $700,000 can be taken from the Town budget without a referendum. She noted she heard a figure of $1.5 million dollars allocated for this service, and she questioned whether that figure is correct.
Ms. Jedziniak stated her belief the Information Technology is a huge bureaucracy. She noted a consultant was already paid thousands of dollars and already told the Council two IT systems aren't necessary. She questioned the need of another committee studying this issue. She stated her belief running the Town by committees isn't proper, but rather she feels the Council should come forward and make a decision on their own once in awhile.
She concluded stating her belief the whole School Department is a complete bureaucracy and she suggested there be a complete and full audit of the School Department.
Mrs. Collins, Hazardville Section
Expressed her dissatisfaction with this budget process and disappointment with the tax increase.
Sharon LaBrecque, DARE Officer
Stated she has been the DARE Officer in Enfield for 14 years. She stated her belief she has impacted the lives of over 8,000 six grade students in the past 14 years. She noted she has never taken this responsibility lightly. She stated many parents have commended her and the effect this program has had on their children's lives.
She noted Council members did not contact her about Enfield's DARE program, but perhaps they were listening to inaccurate national statistics when they stated their opinions about this program. She pointed out the DARE Program has been recognized as the most successful drug education class that there has ever been in the U.S. She noted this program is constantly being updated and its curriculum is changed about every five years. She stated the new DARE curriculum was scheduled to be instituted in Enfield in the 2004-2005 school year. She noted about five years ago, the School Board decided that follow-up to the DARE elementary program was needed at the middle school, therefore, it was decided that Enfield would also teach the middle school DARE program to its students. She pointed out there is a DARE curriculum for Grade K-12 and in some communities they teach this program in K through Grade 12.
Ms. LaBrecque stated the Police Department paid for three officers to attend DARE school to be trained to teach the middle school program. She noted the middle school principal told them the middle school did not have time in its curriculum for DARE. She stated perhaps if the DARE program had been started five years ago as planned, then perhaps some of the middle and high school arrests could have been avoided.
She concluded stating January, 2004 has been the only time in 14 years that neither the Mayor nor anyone on the Town Council showed up for the DARE graduation. She pointed out the Enfield DARE Program has been a model program for the State of Connecticut for the past 14 years. She feels the Council has made a grave error in judgment and is giving a huge disservice to the students by taking away the DARE Program. She noted she will always be proud to have been a DARE Officer and responsible for impacting the lives of many children.
Jack Sheridan, 7 Buchanan Road
Stated his belief the Council could have done a better job trying to maintain the mil rate as it was in consideration of the windfall from the State. He noted the Town has a lot of thing going on, i.e., Road 2005, South Maple Street Bridge, EMS Program, revaluation, etc.
Mr. Sheridan stated his belief the Council has to put the matter of net budgeting on the agenda so they can provide a report on what's happening. He feels this is a big concern.
George Marusak, Katherine Road
Stated he is the elementary school resource officer. He stated he is very disappointed with the decision to eliminate the position of elementary school resource officer. He added he's also disappointed with the decision to eliminate the DARE Program.
Mr. Marusak stated elementary children are growing up in some very difficult times with drugs, alcohol, gangs, school violence. He noted at the same time these young children are forming the values and ideals that will guide them the rest of their lives, and they are also at a very impressionable age. He expressed his belief that a police officer is a good role model.
Mr. Marusak stated the DARE Officer and the School Resource Officer is part of a school team with the principals, guidance counselors and teachers and work hand-in-hand to work with students teaching them to make right decisions, how to conduct themselves, how to form proper values and ideals that will help them to grow up and be good and respectable people.
He stated he taught "Stranger Danger" and had a parent tell them their young child did the right thing when he was lost in a large hotel by going to the front desk for help. He noted the child told his mother that Mr. Marusak taught what to do if he got lost.
Mr. Marusak stated he also taught internet safety, teaching children to be careful of predators on the internet. He noted he also established peer mediation teams in the elementary schools in an attempt to teach children to settle conflicts in a peaceful manner.
He concluded stating after tonight, the good that comes from his position as an elementary resource officer, as well as the benefits of the DARE Program will be lost.
COUNCILMEN COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS
MOTION #7197 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Mangini to move Item 12c to 10a.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7197 adopted 11-0-0.
MOTION #7198 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Mangini to move Item 13a to Miscellaneous.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7198 adopted 11-0-0.
Councilman Fiore reminded everyone about the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31st which will start at 10:00 a.m.
Councilman Fiore thanked Mr. Kazmarski and the Public Works staff for the work done in the Washington Road/Shaker Road area. He noted the crew did a great job.
Councilman Tait stated the Council was very fortunate to receive money from the State this year. He noted the bottom line is that the real solution isn't at the Council level, but the real solution to the property tax problem is tax reform. He noted the Enfield Taxpayers Association and all citizens have to lobby their state legislators and representatives and they should insist there be bonafide tax reform in this state. He noted this is how to solve this crisis of property tax... He stated property tax is the most punitive tax there is, but it's all they have, and when citizens demand expensive services, they have to provide those services.
Councilman Mangini requested the "Davis Avenue" sign be replaced. She also noted the island sign on Middle Road needs to be replaced.
Councilman Mangini thanked the Town staff, Council and Board of Education members for their work on the budget.
Councilman Kaupin thanked Mary Keller and the Recreation staff for the memo regarding the skateboard lessons.
Councilman Kaupin referred to the Blight Ordinance and questioned whether he can file a complaint and how he would file a complaint about a house on North Maple Street. He noted he would like this to be the first test case of the Blight Ordinance. Mr. Shanley stated four complaints are now in process, and they are waiting to hear from the Town Attorney's office that all the forms and processes are proper. He added his belief the North Maple Street residence is one of them.
Councilman Kaupin referred to the need to replace Mrs. Collins' groundcover and questioned where the Town is concerning Road 2000 issues and the contractors who need to complete some work.
Councilman Crowley thanked the Council members for the extreme effort that they did put forward in this budget process.
Chairman Tallarita disagreed with the comment about the budget being deliberated behind closed doors. He noted this was done entirely in the public realm at all times. He suggested looking at other town budgets and compare them to Enfield. He stated his belief Enfield did a fine job.
As concerns the DARE Program, Chairman Tallarita noted this was a difficult item for all Council members to deal with. He stated what brought this to the forefront for him were the comments made by the education department with regards to DARE. He noted the Superintendent and a number of educators around the community were of the belief that it wasn't an effective program, and they had to weigh how they were going to get more officers on the beat. He stated this is not an abandonment of a drug education program in Enfield, but rather it's taking a time out and looking at it again. He noted they could look at this with outside groups, such as New Directions, the Youth Service Advisory Board, the Local Prevention Council, the Department of Education, and the Police Department.
He stated a lot of weight went into what the education department said about the program, and he believes they understand how to educate the youth, and they have to listen to their comments as they go forward. He emphasized this is not an abandonment of programs in this community. He noted they will be looking at new ways of achieving the goals they all want for this community and for the youth as they move forward.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Shanley stated they are moving forward on four complaints as relates to the Blight Ordinance.
He stated there was a reference to the EMS budget in the Town budget. He noted that's a pro-forma budget, and the vast majority of that is shown as revenue from fees.
Mr. Shanley thanked Councilman Tait regarding his comments about tax reform. He noted 37.5% of all the taxes collected in Connecticut is the property tax. He stated every community in the State of Connecticut struggles with the same things, and they need to seriously look at reforming their tax structure.
TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
Attorney Bromson stated the Town Manager distributed a May 13th response from the Fire Chiefs regarding EMS. He noted he did not receive this memorandum until today and he immediately sent it to the Town Manager. He stated nobody has had the opportunity to review this response, and he expects there will be questions and follow up at the next Town Council meeting. He added his office did not disseminate this response to anybody before he received it today.
Chairman Tallarita requested an update on Road 2000.
Mr. Kazmarski stated he gave direction to a staff member who was supervising the contractors for the Road 2000 program. He stated his last understanding was that the contractor was going to be doing restoration work during the first two weeks in May. He
noted he will look into this tomorrow and report back to the Council. He stated contractors have been very recalcitrant to come in and finish up the small items.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
Councilman Mangini stated there was a Fourth of July Committee meeting last night and the Committee will be putting on a great event for the Town. She noted they will start meeting bi-weekly. She commended them for their hard work.
Councilman Mangini stated she was unable to attend the last Revitalization Committee meeting due to her having to attend budget sessions.
Councilman Egan stated last week she attended the open house of the new Family Resource Center. She noted it's a beautiful building and it will be highly utilized.
Councilman Egan stated for the past year her son has been serving in Iraq, and he's on his way home now. She thanked everyone for their concern and prayers.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION RE: SCHOOL READINESS CHILD DAY CARE GRANT
RESOLUTION #7199 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini.
RESOLVED, that the Town Manager, Scott Shanley, is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of the Town of Enfield with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a School Readiness/Child Day Care Program 7-1-2004 to 6-30-2005 and to affix the Corporate Seal.
AMENDMENT #1 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini to change this from the Department of Social Services to the "Department of Education" of the State of Connecticut.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared AMENDMENT #1 adopted 11-0-0.
Present for this discussion were Director of Social Services, Dorothy Allen, Karen Weseliza, Andre Brinnel.
Ms. Weseliza stated she and Ms. Brinnel are co-chairmen of the School Readiness Council.
Ms. Allen stated this is the seventh year of funding for this grant. She noted it was reduced last year, but it has been restored to the original $100,000. She stated this buys 15 slots at the Enfield Child Day Care and all of these slots will be located at the new Family Resource Center. She noted one of the provisions of the grant is that it's a collaborative one. She explained the Board of Education and Town Council has to approve it. She noted it was approved last Tuesday night by the Enfield Board of Education. She stated one of the requirements of the grant is that there be a School Readiness Council. She commended Ms. Weseliza and Ms. Brinnel for doing a fine job in providing the leadership on this Council.
Ms. Weseliza stated one of their charges is to implement a transition to kindergarten program where all children throughout Enfield would transition in some uniform way. She noted they did put a program together and it was adopted by the Board and is in place in all nine elementary schools. She noted the work of the Council was made a lot more expedient because Councilman Peruta was their liaison and Chairman Tallarita and Councilman Fiore were supportive as well. She stated the work they do on school readiness parallels their William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund Grant. She noted with this grant they were just approved for $95,000 over four years. She explained all of those grants seek to explore early care and education within Enfield. She noted while school readiness targets a severe needs area, the Graustein grant charges them to target the entire community. She noted in this way all children, whether or not they're in the severe needs district, are offered the same experiences.
Ms. Brinnel stated one of the major functions of the School Readiness Council this year was actually as a policy-making body, and they have been able to cover all the areas as required by the grant this year. She noted they have two grants that are still in draft form, but based on what she's been told at the state level, Enfield is probably light years ahead of most other districts at this time. She stated it's been an extremely effective collaborative effort between the Town and Board of Education. She went on to note that right now, with pending legislation regarding universal pre-school and a lot of interest being paid at the federal and state level with regard to early education, she believes they've made a lot of very good strides. She noted currently the Board of Education is working on revising and creating a new pre-school curriculum, and that will be something offered to any day care in Enfield, including anything through school readiness.
Councilman Peruta highly commended the School Readiness Council. He noted the work they're doing on behalf of the children is great.
Chairman Tallarita thanked the School Readiness Council for all their effort.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #7199 adopted 11-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN COUNCIL)
All Town Council appointments remained tabled.
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN MANAGER)
MOTION #7200 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Fiore to accept the Town Manager's recommendation to remove Item #10 from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7200 adopted 11-0-0.
MOTION #7201 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Fiore to accept the Town Manager's recommendation to reappoint Roger Russell (D) to the Housing Code Appeals Board for a term which expires 5/1/09.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7201 adopted 11-0-0.
Items c. through i. remained tabled.
MOTION #7202 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Tait to remove Item j. from the table.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7202 adopted 11-0-0.
DISCUSSION RE: INSURANCE PROCEDURE CHANGES
Councilman Fiore requested clarification of Item #2 - "That the Board of Education will pay the Town of Enfield a fixed cost per year for participation rights…." Mr. Shanley stated his understanding they would pay the insurance premium into the self-insurance fund and it would remain fixed for three years.
Councilman Fiore referred to Item #6 - "That in the event the Town of Enfield decides to abandon the higher deductible plan that the Board of Education will be given ample notice to find another carrier…" He questioned what is ample notice and who is going to
determine ample notice. Mr. Shanley stated if they're working together on insurance, they have to assume some level of trust. He noted the Board is concerned the Council will make a decision at the last moment and leave them high and dry with no ability to get insurance. He stated that clearly is not anyone's intent.
Councilman Fiore referred to Item #4 and questioned why they specify a year instead of saying "Any settlement….". Mr. Shanley indicated that could be done. He explained he wanted to be sure that the language that the Council saw was language that the School Board was comfortable with so that there's no misunderstanding in the future.
Referring to Item #3, Councilman Edgar stated his opinion this is contrary to the Charter in that he believes any claims and settlements should be done under the Town Attorney's Office. He stated he would like to have a legal opinion on this.
Attorney Bromson stated they did ask some questions of the Risk Manager in regard to what the current policy provides in regard to who makes the decision to settle under the $25,000 in regard to the self insurance. The Risk Manager gave them some information indicating that it still remains the prerogative of the insurance carrier to make those decisions and doesn't necessitate the involvement or consent of the Council. He stated his belief currently the only policy they have would be law enforcement policies. He noted they have a $10,000 deductible with a consent clause. He stated his belief if that remains so, they can proceed on this because he would be in charge and legally able to adjust the claims and settle them with the carrier. He added the proviso they're still looking at it. They haven't passed the Council side resolution about the $5,000 for Risk Manager, Finance, and Town Manager's involvement with the Town Attorney's approval. He concluded stating his belief this is okay based upon what was given him preliminarily. He added they will still do some review, and if they find in any circumstance there is a consent which is required of the Council, the Town Attorney will make sure it comes to the Council's attention, and it will be done in accordance with the Charter.
Councilman Edgar referred to Town Attorney's duties under the Town Charter which specifically says "The Town Attorney's Office or the Town Attorney is the only one that settles the claims."
Councilman Reveruzzi stated he would like more clarification in Item #4. Mr. Shanley suggested the following wording:
"…and that the $25K limit may increase by multiples of $25K, as approved by the Town Council…"
MOTION #7203 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Tait to re-table this item.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7203 adopted 11-0-0.
Item k. remained tabled.
NEW BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS (TOWN COUNCIL)
The appointment to the Cultural Arts Commission will appear under Old Business on the next regular meeting agenda.
Item b. will appear under Old Business.
MISCELLANEOUS
RESOLUTION #7204 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Mangini.
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield has deemed the North School property to be excess to its needs; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Enfield conducted a public Request for Proposals to identify a potential buyer with a suitable redevelopment plan that will benefit the adjacent neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Housing Enterprises, Inc. of Suffield through its President, Mr. David Berto, proposed to purchase the property for use as a business incubation facility; and
WHEREAS, a citizens project review panel recommended Housing Enterprises, Inc. among three competitive proposals to be the preferred developer; and
WHEREAS, a preferred developer agreement was executed that identified tasks to be completed by both buyer and seller; and
WHEREAS, the tasks to be completed during the preferred developer period have been completed to the satisfaction of the buyer and the seller; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has discussed the final terms of the agreement and so approves; and
WHEREAS, the property will be put to productive use, generating property tax revenues, and achieving stated community development objectives,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Manager is authorized to sign a deed and other documents necessary to convey the property to an entity of the buyer's formulation.
Councilman Fiore thanked Town staff for their work on this. He stated his belief this is the best use for this building at this point.
Chairman Tallarita thanked Ray Warren and Town staff for putting this together. He stated his belief this is a solid direction to head with regards to this building.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #7204 adopted 11-0-0.
COUNCILMEN COMMUNICATIONS
Councilman Crowley questioned when they expect to complete the Freshwater Pond project. Mr. Shanley stated currently they're looking at substantial completion for July 1st. He noted the July 1st date won't include the little boardwalk because that's still awaiting DEP approval.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #7205 by Councilman Kaupin, seconded by Councilman Mangini to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7205 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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