ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2004
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, January 5, 2004 at 6:04 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Tait and Tallarita. Councilman Reveruzzi was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Senior Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos
WORK SESSION- REACT
Present for this discussion were Co-Chairmen of REACT, Bob Tanguay, Bill Garner, Len DeLorge, Eileen Axenroth, Richard Tanguay and Chris Jouiel, a member of the Connecticut River Watershed Council.
Mr. Tanguay stated Chris Jouiel and the Connecticut River Watershed Council have been very supportive of the REACT project. He then updated the Council about their project.
He stated he has been Enfield's representative to the Connecticut River Assembly (CRA) for two years. He noted several years ago Connecticut Special Act 7977 directed the CRA to determine the land suitable for inclusion in a conservation zone along the Connecticut River and this was accomplished. He stated the CRA's program goals for that zone include preserving unique, natural, historic and scenic areas and promoting the recreational potential of the river area and public access to the riverfront. He noted these two goals were eliminated in Enfield in the spring of 2001 when Amtrak denied access over their railroad tracks to the Enfield falls and dam and the best striper fishing in any of New England's rivers.
Mr. Tanguay stated two concerned citizens, Bill Garner and Len DeLorge, who live on the ancient Indian trail now called Fairview Avenue, decided to act. He noted these men asked for his help and they formed a grassroots group called REACT which stands for Recover Enfield's Access to the Connecticut River. He noted their original goal was very simple which involved asking Amtrak to install an on-grade pedestrian crossing to the Connecticut River over their tracks with the proper safety equipment at a cost of less than $75,000. He explained they intended to at least share the cost due to Amtrak's financial difficulties. He noted in addition to having no money for the task, Amtrak officially stated no on-grade pedestrian railroad crossing will ever again be allowed for liability reasons. He stated Amtrak convinced them the only option opened to them is construction of a very expensive pedestrian tunnel below grade under their railroad tracks and not at Amtrak's expense. He noted after much frustration and investigation, it was acknowledged that there is no other practical path or solution, and they're planning accordingly. He pointed out this fact has added $1.75 million dollars to the cost of this project and made it necessary to expand their initial plans. He stated the added scope and cost will slow them down, but will not stop them.
Mr. Tanguay stated their project is now called the Enfield Rapids Nature Observation Fishing and Trails Access Complex. He noted the proposed project would once again allow access to the Connecticut River at the Enfield falls/dam and provide the varied activities as mentioned in the title of the project for the general public, including those with physical disabilities. A substantial and well-landscaped staging area with adequate parking, picnic tables and benches will lead to a long ramp and a below-grade pedestrian railroad underpass illuminated by solar power. The underpass will lead to a 300 foot boardwalk and observation platform that will accommodate wheelchairs. It will enable the observation of migrating birds, including American Bald Eagles, fishing activity from the shore, and a fishing deck. Fishing activities can be seen from the observation platform. The boardwalk and observation platform will contain numerous and informative plaques outlining the Connecticut River Valley's geologic formation, glaciers, dinosaurs, indigenous people, plants, animals, early explorers, early transportation trade, river pirates, etc.
Mr. Tanguay stated the boardwalk will include a stairway to access the river. He noted the staging area will also lead to a future north/south hiking trail along the riverbank to other projects. Access to a proposed ADA biking and wheelchair trail will be provided and lead to the Windsor Locks canal path by way of the 190 Enfield/Suffield bridge. Occasional nature talks sponsored by the Connecticut Forest Parks Association, the Historical Association, REACT and others will be given.
He distributed some conceptual drawings as well as pictures of an underpass in East Lyme, Connecticut.
Mr. Tanguay stated in the preceding months they met with the Assistant Regional Manger, Fred Priani of the Federal Railroad Administration Department (FRA) for highway, rail crossing safety at the proposed site. He noted this gentleman offered any technical assistance the FRA has available. He stated they've spoken with him several times. He went on to note REACT has met at Northeastern University of Boston with Vice Chairman of the Amtrak Reform Board, former governor Michael Dukakis and General Superintendent of the Northeast Amtrak Corridor, Michael DeCaldo. He noted Mr. Dukakis stated he'd be willing to help in any way he can, excluding financial assistance.
Mr. Tanguay stated they're working closely with the Connecticut DOT and have received preliminary verbal permission to use the property just north of Birch Street for the project's staging area, parking lot, ramp and tunnel. He noted this is contingent on DOT receiving and approving preliminary construction drawings. He stated Connecticut DOT has tentatively agreed to manage the property at the river access and they also expressed interest in a possible collaboration between this project and the proposed Connecticut bike trail planned to cross the 190 bridge to the Windsor Locks canal path and beyond. He went on to note that similar groups in neighboring towns have expressed an interest in REACT's project, including walking and biking trails to their projects on both sides of the river. He stated they met with Michael Joyce, property manager of Alston Corporation (the old Dexter Corporation) and owner of the property at the Enfield falls/dam on the west side of the tracks. He noted Mr. Joyce has given them his assurance that he will do all in his power to allow them to build the boardwalk on their property once preliminary drawings are approved.
Mr. Tanguay stated the United States Congress will vote on a bill in February 2004 in which they applied for construction funds with the assistance of Scott Shanley, Town Council, U.S. Reps and their staff. He noted REACT is cautiously optimistic of the result. He added they're currently exploring other state, federal and private funding sources to help bring their project to the next level. He explained to reach that very important step, they must raise $60,000 very soon for conceptual and final construction drawings. He noted time-wise, procurement of these drawings is critically essential in receiving final approval from those agencies. He added the drawings are also necessary to start the approval cycle with agencies such as the Enfield Planning & Zoning Commission, the Inlands/Wetlands and Watercourses Agency. He stated they are very appreciative of the Town's continued support and welcome any further suggestions in finding the $60,000 for planning the project.
Mr. Tanguay further elaborated the need for the $60,000 which goes into the preliminary design and engineering costs, which includes a survey of the property, test borings and geotechnical engineering, research and communications, preliminary engineering, drafting, preliminary design report and a preliminary design estimate of construction costs. He stated this is the most important part of this project because this money will now make REACT legitimate in the eyes of many people.
Mr. Tanguay informed the Council that four new Bald Eagles were born in this area last year.
He stated he currently has an application in for a grant from the New England Grass Roots Environmental Fund. He noted they are very interested in ad hoc amateurs such as REACT because they're trying to get people involved.
Councilman Dodd questioned when they need the $60,000, and Mr. Tanguay responded as soon as possible and hopefully by the end of 2004. He noted they'd like this project completed by 2006.
Councilman Crowley questioned what REACT will do if the bill doesn't pass. Mr. Tanguay stated they won't stop but rather they'll seek out other people and other avenues to accomplish this project.
Chairman Tallarita questioned how much they've applied for, and Mr. Tanguay responded $2.85 million dollars.
Councilman Crowley raised the possibility of the South River Street easement, and Mr. Tanguay noted they did look at that area. He added they had a list of objections regarding this area and he can get back to the Council with those. He noted they could revisit that idea.
Mr. Shanley stated the federal vote on the bill will likely be by March. He noted Congressman Simmons office is pretty confident that at least the conceptual design will be in there.
Councilman Peruta questioned what other things are going on along the waterfront that could tie in with this project. Mr. Tanguay stated the bike and wheelchair trail is on paper. He noted it's a matter of the town pushing it a little. He pointed out success breeds success. He stated his belief the bike trail is a very good idea. He noted East Windsor is working on a small, but beautiful riverfront park
Councilman Mangini questioned whether REACT has been to Planning & Zoning. Mr. Tanguay stated the Council is the first group they've come to with an update. He noted he did send P&Z and the other groups an update.
MOTION #6905 by Councilman Tait, seconded by Councilman Egan to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #6905 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 6:37 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 6:38 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar. Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Tait and Tallarita. Councilman Reveruzzi was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Senior Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos; Director of Public works, John J. Kazmarski; Assistant Director of Public works, Colleen Brand; School Facilities Director, Arthur Pongratz; Members of the Enfield High School Building Committee; Vice Chairman John Carey, Leo Dubreuil, Theresa Duston, James Lamondia, Chairman George Rypysc, Susan Shea; Board of Education liaisons to the building committee Albert B. Harrison and Nicholas D. Sinsigalli Jr.; Owner's Field Representative James Russo; architect for the project Richard Lawrence, counsel for the committee Tim Fisher and Jason Welch; Town Clerk Suzanne Olechnicki
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 7:28 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at7:28 p.m. and stated that during Executive Session they discussed Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #6906 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Crowley to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #6906 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
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