Honorable Mark D. Boughton, Mayor
Common Council Members
Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the Common Council Meeting to order at 7:30PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Present were Council members: Louise P. McMahon, Shay Nagarsheth, Michael Halas, Charles Trombetta, Michael Calandrino, Duane E. Perkins, Fred Visconti, Benjamin Chianese, John J. Esposito, Thomas J. Saadi, Joseph M. Cavo, Paul T. Rotello, N. Jane Diggs, Mary Teicholz, Robert F. Arconti, Philip Curran, Jack Knapp, Robert Riley, Warren M. Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen A. Stanley
PRESENT: 21 ABSENT: 0 Also present were Jean Natale, City Clerk; Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel and Laszlo L. Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Ginny Alosco-Werner, Director of Personnel led everyone in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Esposito led everyone in the room in a prayer.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Michael Cunningham- 101 West Redding Road spoke on #16
Bruce Clark, President of the Lake Waubeeka Association, spoke on #16.
Denise Valerie- 10 Hayestown Rd. spoke on #24, Dream Homes
Elise Marciano- 179 Long Ridge Road spoke on #20
Lynn Waller- 83 Highland Avenue spoke on #20
Gary Goncalves- 55 Lawrence Avenue spoke on #20
Sunny Ann Rososco- 31 Hillside Avenue spoke on #20 Announcements for the month of May were read.
MINUTES: Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the minutes of the Common Council meeting held April 7, 2009 as Council members have copies and copies are also available in the City Clerk’s Office, seconded by Councilman Perkins. Motion passed by unanimous vote. CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilman Seabury presented the following items for the Consent Calendar:
7. Receive the communication and accept the donations to the Department of Elderly Services, totaling $212.00, transfer into line item 5002.6000 and send the appropriate letters of thanks.
10. Receive the communication and authorize the Corporation Counsel’s Office to take steps necessary to acquire easements for the Olive Street and Tilden Road area Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drainage Project.
11. Receive the communication and authorize the Corporation Counsel’s Office to take steps necessary to acquire the easement for the William Street Storm Drainage Project.
15. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Scott LeRoy to accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the WIC Program.
16. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton to execute a service agreement with the State of Connecticut to extend the time period of completion for the “Ives Trails Greenway”, to 2011.
22. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.
23. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee.
Councilwoman Teicholz moved to accept the Consent Calendar as presented, seconded by Councilman Cavo. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
1 - COMMUNICATION - Request to Purchase Land - Corner of White and Locust City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilwoman McMahon requested referral to Corporation Counsel, Director of Finance, Director of Planning, Director of Public Works, Tax Assessor, Petitioner and Planning for reports. The committee will consist of Council Members Seabury, Teicholz and Esposito.
2 - COMMUNICATION - Donations to the Public Works Department - Police Station City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilwoman Diggs moved to receive the communication and accept the donation, seconded by Councilman Arconti. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
3 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Public Works Department - Sugar Maple Tree City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilwoman Stanley moved to receive the communication and accept the donation, seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
4 – COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Danbury Library City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Trombetta moved to receive the communication and accept the donation, seconded by Councilwoman McMahon. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
5 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Fire Department City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Curran moved to receive the communication and accept the donation, seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
6 – COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Police Department City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Arconti moved to receive the communication and accept the donation, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
7 – COMMUNICATION - Donations to the Department of Elderly Services The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donations accepted.
8 - COMMUNICATION - Certification of Funds - Police Headquarters City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Cavo moved to receive the communication and accept the certification of funds, seconded by Councilman Seabury. Superintendent of Public Buildings, Richard Palanzo provided clarification regarding the cleaning services. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
9 – COMMUNICATION - Sun Trust Agreement
City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Nagarsheth moved to receive the communication and authorize the Board of Education/Danbury Public Schools to execute a four-year lease agreement with Sun Trust, seconded by Councilwoman McMahon. The scope of the purchase was discussed. Elio Longo, Director of Finance for the school system provided clarification on the financial aspects and information about Sun Trust. Susan Rice, Director of Information Services for the school system offered clarification concerning the projector purchases, software, funding, training and the expected life span of equipment. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
10 - COMMUNICATION - Storm Drainage Easement - Olive Street and Tilden Road Area The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and authorization granted.
11 – COMMUNICATION - Storm Drainage Easement - William Street The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and authorization granted. 12 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Water - 10 - 14 Gregory Street Councilwoman Teicholz requested referral to Corporation Counsel, Engineering and Planning for reports.
13 - COMMUNICATION - Transfer of Widening Strip to City - 113 West King Street Councilman Knapp requested referral to Corporation Counsel, Engineering and Planning for reports.
14 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Lease Rate Reduction and Reimbursement for Gate Councilman Cavo requested referral to the Airport Administrator and Corporation Counsel for reports.
15 - RESOLUTION - WIC Grant - Additional Funding The Resolution and communication were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted.
16 - RESOLUTION - Ives Trail Easement (Grant) The Resolution and communication were received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted.
17 - RESOLUTION - Ives Trail Easement Greenway City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Riley moved to approve the easement Resolution authorizing the City to retain an appraiser and negotiate with the Association for the easement, seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
18 - RESOLUTION - Main Runway Intersection and Taxiway Bravo City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Trombetta moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Councilwoman McMahon. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
19 - RESOLUTION - FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Calandrino moved to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution. Chief Herald gave an overview of the grant which, if received, would be used for air packs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
20 - ORDINANCE & RESOLUTIONS - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year. Beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010 and Resolutions Levying the Property Tax for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010
A. General Government 1 Budget Report Councilman Seabury read the committee report. Councilman Cavo moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Councilman Arconti. Discussion centered around the Library regarding proposed hours of operation and the four day work week. Mayor Boughton advised that he has had conversations with the Director, an analysis was conducted and a schedule will be developed to help meet the needs of the community. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
B. General Government II Budget Report Councilwoman Teicholz read the committee report. Councilman Nagarsheth moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Councilman Seabury. McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Trombetta, Calandrino, Visconti, Chianese, Esposito, Cavo, Rotello, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Levy, Seabury and Stanley voted in favor. Perkins and Saadi cast negative votes. Motion passed 19/2.
C. Education Budget Report Councilwoman Stanley read the committee report. Councilman Calandrino moved to receive the report and adopt the recommendations of the committee, seconded by Councilwoman Stanley. Dr. Sal Pascarella advised that the administrators’ contract was still in negotiation. Dr. William Glass gave overviews of the embedded staff development program currently utilized by the school system and how it is funded.
Deputy Corporation Counsel, Laszlo Pinter provided clarification regarding the use of appropriations and recommended allotments by committees.
Councilman Seabury moved the question, seconded by Councilman Saadi. McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Trombetta, Calandrino, Visconti, Chianese, Esposito, Saadi, Cavo, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Levy, Seabury and Stanley voted in favor. Perkins and Rotello voted in opposition. Motion passed 19/2.
A vote was then taken on the motion to receive the report and adopt the recommendations. McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Trombetta, Calandrino, Perkins, Visconti, Chianese, Esposito, Cavo, Rotello, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Seabury and Stanley voted in favor. Saadi and Levy voted in opposition. Motion passed 19/2.
D. Public Works Budget Report Councilman Knapp read the report of the committee. Councilman Curran moved to receive and accept the report as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Teicholz. McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Trombetta, Calandrino, Visconti, Chianese, Esposito, Cavo, Rotello, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Seabury and Stanley voted in favor. Perkins, Saadi and Levy voted in opposition. Motion passed 18/3.
E. Health & Housing, Public Safety, Welfare & Social Services Budget Report Councilwoman McMahon read the report of the committee. Councilman Knapp moved to receive and accept the report as presented, seconded by Councilman Riley. McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Trombetta, Calandrino, Perkins, Visconti, Chianese, Esposito, Cavo, Rotello, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Levy, Seabury and Stanley voted in favor. Saadi voted in opposition. Motion passed 20/1.
Councilman Cavo moved to adopt the budget as presented, seconded by Councilman Seabury. Discussion followed regarding charges for services, and Charter mandates.
Councilman Levy read a statement regarding bonding and funding for the proposed budget.
Councilman Riley offered comments concerning the budget process and the tightness of the proposed budget. Councilman Riley then moved the question, seconded by Councilman Curran. A vote was taken as follows: McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Calandrino, Visconti, Trombetta, Cavo, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Seabury, Stanley voted in favor. Perkins, Chinese, Esposito, Perkins, Rotello and Levy voted in opposition. Motion passed 15/6.
The vote was then taken on the motion to accept the budget as proposed ass follows: McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Calandrino, Visconti, Trombetta, Cavo, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Seabury, Stanley voted in favor. Perkins, Chianese, Esposito, Saadi, Rotello and Levy voted in opposition. Motion passed 15/6.
Mayor Boughton thanked all those who participated in the budget process.
21 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - 2009 Retirement Incentive Program, Section 14-16 Councilman Seabury moved to accept the report and Ordinance, seconded by Councilwoman Teicholz. David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance advised that two (2) non-union staff members elected to take advantage of the retirement incentive for a financial impact of $130,000.
The vote was taken as follows: McMahon, Nagarsheth, Halas, Calandrino, Visconti, Trombetta, Esposito, Cavo, Rotello, Diggs, Teicholz, Arconti, Knapp, Curran, Riley, Levy, Seabury, Stanley voted in favor. Saadi, Chianese and Perkins voted in opposition. Motion passed 18/3.
22 – REPORT - Proposed Service Driveway - Long Ridge Road The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved.
23 - AD HOC REPORT - Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved.
24 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, UNIT, Elderly Services, Library Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the Department Reports as Council members have copies and copies are also available in the City Clerk’s Office, seconded by Councilman Seabury. Mayor Boughton and Councilman Cavo extended their thanks to Chief Baker on the smooth transfer into the new Police Station. Farid Khouri, P.E., City Engineer and Antonio Iadarola, P. E., Director of Public Works were also thanked for the outstanding job they did on this very important building. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton extended all committees.
As there was no further business to come before the Common Council, Councilwoman Teicholz moved to adjourn at 10:13 PM, seconded by Councilman Trombetta. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorathea A. Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary
Attest: Mark D. Boughton, Mayor