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MINUTESOFTHETOWNCOUNCILMEETINGOFTHETOWNOFSOUTHINGTON

November26, 2012

TheTownCounciloftheTownofSouthingtonheldaregularmeetingonMonday, November26, 2012. JohnC. Dobbins, Chairman, calledthemeetingtoorderat7:01o'clock, p.m.

ThefollowingCouncilpersonswerepresent, viz:

CherylLounsbury LouisMartocchioDawnA. Miceli AlbertA. Natelli, Jr. ChristopherJ. Palmieri JohnN. BarryStephanieA. Urillo PeterJ. Romano, Jr.

JohnC. Dobbins, Chairman

Ex-officiomemberspresentwereasfollows, viz:

MarkJ. Sciota, DeputyTownManager/TownAttorneyGarryBrumback, TownManager

AprayerwasrecitedbyDawnMiceli, Councilwoman.

ThePledgeofAllegiancewasrecitedbyeveryoneinattendancebeingledbyresidentHelenHenne.

Therewereapproximately25otherpersonsinattendance.

JOHNC. DOBBINS, Chairman, Presiding:

II. Minutes

Dr. Urillomadeamotiontoapproveassubmitted. Mr. Palmieriseconded. MotionpassedonamajorityvoicevotewithMr. Barryabstaining. Although, hedidreadtheMinutesandsawpartsofthevideo.

III. CouncilmanicCommunications

A. ResignationofSenorCitizenCommissionMember (Attach.1)

TheChairadvisedthisistheresignationofConnieProll. Ifyou’veknownConnieaslongasIhave, she’sbeeninvolvedinthetownforanumberofyears. ShewasontheSeniorCitizensCommissionforthreestints. ShewasalsoontheBoardofFinanceandPlanning & Zoning. Iwanttothankherforherservicetothetownandwe’reacceptingherresignation, aswell.

Dr. NatellinotedanemailsentbyJeremyLeVanwhodidtheexcavationfortheturffieldundertheauspicesofProGrass. Hejustsentthetownareallynicethankyouletterforallowinghimtodothisjob.

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Theshortsideofitis: hecouldn’tbelievethatwhenhecametotownhewastreatedlikeaking. Peoplewentoutoftheirwaytohelphimandhedidanamazingjoblayingdownthegroundworkforourfield. Doingtheexcavationthatneededtobedoneandsettingthebedupsotheturfcouldbeputon. Healsotookthetimetoexplainthings. Ifyouaskedhim, heandhiscrewdidagreatjob. Lastly, theysaidtheywillmakeareasontocomebackandvisitSouthington, again. And, ifweeverneedtheirhelponanything, don’thesitatetocallthem.

Notoftenyougetaletterfromaguywhoworkedforyouthatsaysthanksforlettingmeworkforyou. Ithoughtthatwashuge.

Alongthelinesoftheturffield, kudostoourfootballteamthatwent10and0andplaystomorrownightagainstGlastonburyinthequarterfinalsoftheStateDoubleLLChampionship. Wewishthemalotofluck. (Passedinletter - Attachment2)

Dr. UrillomentionedthereisgoingtobeaHospitalityNightsponsoredbythemerchantsofdowntownSouthingtonandit’sgoingto

thbeonFriday, December7 from5:30to8:30pmrightindowntown.

TherearealotofeventsincludingthelightingoftheTownGreen, merchantwalkcontest, horsedrawntrolleyrides, visitswithSanta, GirlScout carolsing, businessesintheareawillbeopenandhave openhousesandtheBarnesMuseumwillhaveanopenhouse. Everyoneisencouragedtoattend.

Mr. PalmieriadvisedhereceivedaninquiryfromaresidentandI’mwonderingifMr. Brumbackcanlookintoitandgetbacktous. It’sasfarasthelightsinthetownparks. PanthornPark, RecPark, MemorialPark, theremaybeareasonthelightsneedtobeonsecurity) tolightupthewholefieldwellbeyondthepublishedhour

theparkisclosedjustseemsalittleinefficient.

Mr. Brumbackwillreportback.

Ms. Micelireportedonthetemporaryicerink. Astheweatherhasbeencooler, it’stimetotalkaboutit. Wehavereceivedallofthenecessaryapprovalsfromthevariousboardsandcommissions. ItlooksasthoughwewillbemovingthetemporaryicerinktowaterdepartmentpropertyonMillStreet. Wewillbecentrallylocateddowntownandhopefullywecanhelpoutourretailers. Beingcentralwillbeadrawfortherinkandthemerchants, aswell. Thewaterdepartmenthasbeenfabulousinworkingwithusandthey’realsodonatingthewaterthatwillfillit. Wearelookingtoinstallthe

ndrinkthe2 weekofDecember. Siteworkpreparationisgoingontherenow. It’sexciting! Wedohopetohaveicetimeforfamiliesandperhapsforsomehockeyplaying, aswell. Thetwodoneedtobedesignatedwithspecialsignage. Hopefully, thisyearwewillgetmorethan2weeksoutoftherink.

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TheChairaddedhereceivedaletterfromtheGovernorandheaskedustospreadthewordconcerningsomenewveteranideas. Evidently, startinginJanuary, AAAandtheDMVwillbeofferingtoplaceanotationofanAmericanflagontheveteran’slicense. Thiswillnotethatwhentheygoinforservice, ifanemergencyorwhatever, firstresponderwillknowtheyareaveteranandtheycanlookuponthewebsiteandfindoutinformationabouttheveteranastowhatinsurancetheyhaveandwhat’savailable. I’llpassthisalongtoLeslieandhopefullywe’llbeabletolinkittothesiteandhaveinformationavailabletoourveterans. (Attachment3)

Nextissomethingdifferent. Wehaveacelebrityamongstusthisevening. OurownChristopherPalmieriisnowtheConnecticutMiddleSchoolAssistantPrincipaloftheyear. CongratulationstoChris.

Applause)

HewillberecognizedbytheBOEattheirmeetinginJanuary. Ithoughtitwasquiteworthwhiletoleteveryoneknow. Goodjob, Chris.

Mr. PalmieriofferedhisthanksacknowledgingthestaffatDePaolo. Really, we’repartofateamandweallworktogetherforthebestinterestofthekids. WehaveaphenomenaldistrictinSouthingtonandI’mproudtobeapartofit. It’ssomethingforthedistrictandmyschool, especially.

TheChairaddedweareallproudofChris, aswell.

Lastly, wehavetoaddtotheAgenda.

Mr. Palmierimadeamotiontoadd: AppointmentfortheBoardofAssessmentAppealstotheAgendaunderNewBusinessItemC. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoice.

IV. ReportofSpecialCommittees

A. AppleHarvestFestivalCommittee (Attachment4)

Mr. PalmieriwentoverthefinancialstatementfortheFestivalthisyear. Thisisreflectiveasoftoday. Itisaworkingdocument. Attachedhereto) Ofnote:

Totalrevenue: $212,049.

Totalexpense: $199,929

Profit: $ 12,120.00

Mr. Palmieriwentovertwocontractsforapproval. OneisforJimChampagne, FestivalCoordinator, recommendingwerenewhiscontractwithnochangeswhatsoevertothecontractweapprovedlastyear. ThesecondisforMelissaEricksen, sponsorcoordinator. Thereisaslightchange. Ifyousawtheemail, Inotedwehaveafourtier

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stepforhercommissionpay. Whatwearesuggestingthisyearaonelinechange: ifcommissionsaregreaterthan $40,000, astheywerethisyear, the20% shallbepaidonallcommissionsstartingatthe20,000markwhichcurrentlywewouldpay15%. Thisisanextra

incentivetorewardgettingthehighercommissionamount.

IamlookingforyourapprovallaterintheAgenda.

V. TownManager’sReportandCommunications

A. ReportoftheBoardofFinance

Mr. Brumbackexplainedtherewasnothingoutsideoftheroutine. Onenote, weareexpectingaboutthree-quartersofamilliondollarsfromFEMAtobookthisyear. Mostofourrevenuesaretrendinginagoodway.

TheChaircommented, afterreadingtheMinutes, everyoneshouldbeawarethatthisStandard & Poor’sratingwasmaintainedatAA+ forthesecondyearinarow. Thatisexcellentforusforbonding.

And, astorebonding, wesavedoverthenext2.5years $785,000refinancingthe2005bondswhichcoveredamiscellaneousgroupofprojects. Kudostothefinancestaffwhoworkedveryhardonthat. TomaintaintheAA+ ratingisreallyatributetothefinancedepartment. Theinterestonthatisaslowasit’severbeen.

B. RainGardenforStormwaterManagement ( Attachment5)

Thisisaprogramavailabletoourresidents. TheSavetheSoundgroupisofferinga $1500incentiveforanyresidentoruptoacoupleofresidentsonatestproductofaresidentialraingardeninordertoremovesomepollutantsandhelprechargethegroundwaterprogram. Inthespiritoflettingyouallknowofanygrantswearesupportingthatandwe’llbegintopublicizeit. Iwantedtobringittoyoufirsttobesuretherewasnoobjection. Agoodnewprogramthatisdesignedtoreimburseresidentswhowanttocreatearaingardenwithstormwaterrunoff.

We’llbeworkingwiththeSavetheSoundfolkstopublicizeit. We’llputitonthewebsite. TheSavetheSoundfolkswillalsomarketit. ApersonwouldapplythroughtheSavetheSoundgroupdirectly. Nocosttothetown.

C. PursueDEEPGrantforDumpTruck

Thisisanopportunitywewerenotexpectingtopurchasealowdieselemissiondumptruckwitha25% grant. Dumptruckscostabout200,000. Wehaveitinourcapitalplanbutithadnotcomeforward

thisbudgetyearasatoppriority.

Whatweareaskingisfortheabilitytomovethatforwardtothisbudgetyear. IstillneedtogototheBOF, butIbelievewe

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havethe $150,000necessary. Thisisaonetimeopportunityfora50,000granttooffsetthecost.

Wedoneedadumptruck. We’reaskingforyourpermissiontoapplyunderstandingitcouldcostusmovingforwardthe $150,000. The

thcutoffisthe7 ofDecemberandthegrantisonlygoodforthisfiscalyear.

Mr. Barrycommentedthatitstrikeshimoddthatwecontinuetoapplyforgrantsatthestatelevelandthestateisbroke. Wheredotheygetallthismoneytogiveoutgrants? Wekeepseeingmoreandmoreopportunitiestoapplyforgrantsanditstrikesmeasodd.

Obviously, applyforthegrant. It’soutthere. Butitisverystrangetome.

Mr. RomanosuggesteditmightbesomethingwewanttospeakaboutwithourstatelegislatorswhentheycomeinJanuary.

VI. TownAttorney’sReport

A. PoliceDepartmentObjectionableProducts (Attachment6)

Mr. Sciotaadvisedaboutamonthagowechangedseveralordinances; oneofwhichistheobjectionablematerialsordinance. Justtorecap, therearethreedifferentareaswherethepolicedepartmenthastheauthorityundertheirownregulationstoenforceandtodefinewhatexactlytheseareasare.

Tonightwearetalkingaboutobjectionablematerials. Thereisalsogoingtobelicensingforstreetvendorsandlicensingforalarmsystemsonresidentialandcommercialbasis.

Thefirstoneistheobjectionablematerials. Thebiggestchangeyou’regoingtoseeissomethingthat’sbeenpoppingupactuallyoverthelastyear. Syntheticmarijuana. It’sbecomeavery, verydangerousthinginSouthingtonandinConnecticut. We’vehadpresentationsatthesubcommitteelevelwithDetectivePalmieriaswellasSueSaucierworkingverycloselywithmeandMs. Lounsburytoworkonlanguageforthat.

Wepromisedthateventhoughthepolicearewritingtheregulationsthatwewouldbringtheminfrontofthecouncilforfeedback. Ifyouhaveanyobjections, feedbacksoradditions, Iwouldappreciateknowingtonightorinthenearfuturebecausetheydowanttobringthistothepolicecommissionandgettheirapproval. I’mopentoanycommentsthecouncilmayhave.

Mr. Palmiericommentedinsupportofthisthatoneofthemainreasonswewanttogothisroutewiththeobjectionableproductsbecausetheychangesooftenthatwecan’tpossiblychangetheordinancetokeepupwiththemainchangesoftheproducts. Weidentifiedwhatwearetryingtopreventsoit’smorevagueandmore

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encompassingonallthetypesofproducts. Ithinkit’llbeneficialforustomoveforwardandworkwiththepolicedepartment.

Mr. Martocchioaddeditisafluidlistanditisgoingtochangewithnewitems.

Mr. PalmierinotedthatworkingwithCaptainPocockwhoalsowasapartofthiscommittee, forexample, weallknowalotoftheseitemsaresoldatthefestival: sillystring, stinkbombs, instantsmoke, etcetera. Withthepolicehavingoversight, they’lltakepicturesoftheitemsthevendorsgetapprovalforsotheofficersknowifyouhaveanyitemotherthanwhatisidentified, itwon’tbetolerated. Itisclearerforeveryone.

Mr. Sciotanotedhehadseveralitemsforexecutivesessionbutwillnotbeactingonanyafterinpublicsession.

VII. PublicCommunications

ArthurCyr, 103BerlinAvenue. Spokeabouttheoutsidelights, i.e.: thedriveinwithwaytoomanylights. WhenthewaterdepartmentmovedtoWestQueen, theyredidtheareaonMillStreetandtheyaddedmorelightsandtheplaceislituplikeaChristmastree. Wejustopenedanewmunicipalcenter; theyaddedfourmoreornamentallightsacrossthefrontofitinadditiontothestreetlightsthatarethere. Thisgoesonandon. Betweenourtownengineer, peopleonpublicworksandpeopleonthemiddleschoolbuildingcommittee, Iknowtherewaslike56placeswheretheyreducedlightingonbothschools. Iaskeveryonetolookandmakesurewedon’toverdothelightsatourtwonewmiddleschools.

IdobelievetheturfcommitteeisacommitteeoftheTownCouncilandassuch, Iwouldaskthatsomeonemakesurethatcommitteemeetsonaregularbasis. Weapprovedthatfieldinthebeginningoftheyearandtherewasnocommitteethatmetsoconsequently, thefirstcoupleofeventswehadupthere, therewasnoprovisionsforfundraising. Thisisatownfield, atowncommitteeandtheyneedtogetmovingonrevenuecominginthisyearandnextyearandtheyearsafter. Iasksomebodylookattheturfcommitteesoitdoesn’tbecomepartoftheBOE.

TheChairadvisedthereisascheduleforregularmeetings.

IlioFusciello, 82AutranAvenue. Spokeabouthisissueindicatinghewantedtobeputontheagendaandpaid.

LarryDePaolofromBlatchleyAvenue. Talkedaboutthesewersandsewerassessments.

Hesaid40yearsagohehadsewersinstalledathishousefor2,000. The $2,00040yearsagorepresented8percentofthevalueof

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myhouse. Relatethattotoday, a100’ frontage, $200,000house, itwouldbe $16,000forthesewersanditisonly $8,000. Thepeopletodayreallyarepayinglessthanwepaid40yearstoputthesewersinperfootperpercentagebasis.

Backtothesewers, thisCouncil --- Ihavenothingagainsthelpinganybodyinthiscommunity --- thefactiswhensomebodyinthisdepartmentorthistownmakesamistake (Stonegate), myproblemisthehelpwas $250,000approximately. Idonotagreewiththefactitcamefromthesewerpeople’smoney. Itdidn’tcomefromthetown. Ithinkthetownshould’vecoveredthatandnotthesewerfund.

Wejusttooksomemoneyoutofthesewerfundbecausesomebodymadeamistakeandtheymisquotedorwhatever, buttotakemoneyoutofthesewermoneyiswrong. Ifthetownmadethemistake, itshouldbeacrossthewholetown. That, tome, isthecorrectwaytodoit.

Now, from2008to2012, oursewerusagetaxhasgoneup79percent. Thatisa79percentincreaseandpartoftheproblemiswegave $250,000toStonegateandacoupleofhundredthousandforthisorforthat. Thatshouldnotbecomingoutofsewermoney. It’swrong.

Ifit’sforinfrastructure, that’sfine. Butthisotherreallyhadnothingtodowiththesewerpeople. Ithinkit’swrong. IthinkitistimetheCouncildoesitright.

And, thisassessment, again, itisatownwidesituation. ThetowndidXamountoffeet, Xamountofhousesandwedividedthenumberofpeopleintotheamountofpipeinthegroundandeverybodypaidthesame. Youhelpedeachotherout.

Thankyou.

VIII. OldBusiness

A. ActiononReportofBoardofFinance

Mr. MartocchiomadethemotiontoapprovetheBOFMinutes. Dr. Urilloseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.

B. ActiononAppleHarvestFestivalCommitteerecommendations

TheChairaskedforamotiontoacceptthecontractforJimChampagneaspresented. Mr. Palmierisomovedthemotion. Dr. Natelliseconded.

Mr. PalmieriacknowledgedJimandthankedhimforallthehardwork. Hedidaphenomenaljobservingasthefestivalcoordinatorandcoordinatingalltheeventsforthefestivalandworkingwithallthevolunteersandcommitteeheads.

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Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.

TheChairaskedforamotiontoacceptthecontractforMelissaEricksenaspresented. Mr. Palmierimadethemotiontoapprove. Mr. Romanoseconded.

Mr. PalmieriacknowledgedMelissa. Wehadbudgetedfor $40,000forsponsorsthisyear. And, $45,100isphenomenal. Wehopethatgrowsnextyear. And, Iwanttorecognizeherforallherhardwork.

Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.

C. ActiononGrantRequests

Dr.Natellisomovedthemotiontopursuethegrant. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassed9to0onarollcallvote.

IX. NewBusiness

A. TaxRefunds (Attachment7)

Ms. Micelimadeamotiontoapprovethetaxrefundsaslistedinourpackages, please. Dr. Natelliseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.

B. Appointments: SEED, 3members, 4yeartermstoAugust2016

Mr.Romanomadeamotiontoappoint: GarySaucier, JeffGagnonandJuanitaChampagnetotheSEEDCommittee. Ms. Lounsburyseconded. Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.

C. Appointment: BoardofAssessmentAppeal

Mr. PalmierimadeamotiontonominateJamesBowestofillthevacancyontheBoardofAssessmentAppeals. Ms. Miceliseconded.

Mr. BarrycommentedJimiswellversedtoserveonthisboard. HeisthecomptrolleroftheTownofWallingford. Heactuallywasthefinancedirectorhere, aswell. So, heiswellabletohandlethejobofappealsonassessments.

VeryhappyJimwantstovolunteerandworkinthiscapacity. Thankyouforlettinghimbeappointed.

Mr. PalmieriacknowledgedandthankedSandraBealwhoservedinthecapacityandshe’llbecomingoff.

Motionpassedunanimouslyonavoicevote.

CongratulationstoJim!

X. Adjournment – ExecutiveSession – RealEstate, TaxesAbatement & ContractNegotiations.

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EXECUTIVESESSION

TheSouthingtonTownCouncilenteredexecutivesessionimmediatelyfollowingtheTownCouncilmeetingwiththefollowinginattendanceinordertodiscussrealestate, taxabatement & contractnegotiations.

ThefollowingCouncilpersonswerepresent, viz:

CherylLounsbury PeterJ. Romano, Jr. LouisJ. Martocchio DawnA. MiceliAlbertA. Natelli, Jr. ChristopherJ. PalmieriStephanieA. Urillo JohnN. Barry

JohnC. Dobbins, Chair

Ex-officiomemberspresentwereasfollows, viz:

MarkJ. Sciota, DeputyTownManager/TownAttorneyGarryBrumback, TownManager

LouisPerillo, EconomicDevelopmentCoordinator

Mr. Perilloleftat8:15p.m.)

Nomotionsweremadeorvotestakenduringexecutivesession.

Mr. Palmierimadeamotiontoadjournfromexecutivesession. Mr. Romanoseconded. Motionpassedunanimously.

Executivesessionwasadjournedat8:35o’clock, p.m.)

REGULARSESSION

Dr. NatellimadeamotiontoadjourntheTownCouncilmeetingwhichwassecondedbyMr. Palmieri. Motionpassedunanimously.

Meetingwasadjournedat8:36o’clock, p.m.)

MarkJ. SciotaActingSecretary