City Council

Hon. Mark D. Boughton, Mayor Common Council Members Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the Common Council Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2007. Present were Council Members: Louise P. McMahon, James H. Johnson, Charles Trombetta, Michael J. Calandrino, Fred Visconti, Benjamin Chianese, John J. Esposito, Thomas J. Saadi, Joseph M. Cavo, Pauline R. Basso, Paul T. Rotello, Jane Diggs, Mary Teicholz, Philip D. Curran, Robert T. Riley, Mary G. Saracino, Gregg W. Seabury, and Lynn H. Taborsak. Absent were Council Members: Shailesh Nagarsheth (Out of town on family business), Duane E. Perkins (Out of town on family business), and Colleen A. Stanley (family business) PRESENT: 18, ABSENT: 3 Also present were Jean Natale, City Clerk and Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Councilman Robert Riley led everyone in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilwoman Jane Diggs led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Andy Messer, 65 Garfield Avenue, wanted to make sure barking dogs were included in item #22 Mary Reynolds, 15 Library Place, spoke on item #28 Andrew Wetmore, 117 Great Plain Road, spoke in favor of item #2 Public Participation was closed at 7:40 p.m. MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilwoman Basso that the Common Council approve the Minutes of the Common Council Meeting of July 3, 2007 as presented and to waive the reading of same as the Council have copies of the Minutes and are available in the City Clerk’s office. Councilman Cavo asked item #35 of the July minutes be corrected to reflect the vote of 16-2. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilwoman Basso presented the following items for the Consent Calendar: 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Richter Park Authority Receive the report and confirm the appointments of Dominic A. Setaro, Jr. and Samuel F. Jacobellis as members of the Richter Park Authority with a term to expire February 1, 2009 and to confirm the appointment of Frank J. Russo, Sr. as an alternate member of the Richter Park Authority with a term to expire on February 1, 2010. 7. COMMUNICATION - Public Information Course – Health Department Receive the communication and approve the expenditure of funds from the Public Health Preparedness Grant for meals at the required training. 8. COMMUNICATION - Water and Sewer Fund Reappropriations Receive the communication and approve the re-appropriation of described funds to complete last year’s projects and pay outstanding equipment purchase orders. -1- Page 1 of 6 12. RESOLUTION - Storm Drainage Easements Receive the communication and authorize the office of Corporation Counsel to acquire the easements described therein. 13. RESOLUTION - March of Dimes Grant – WIC Program Receive the communication and authorize the City of Danbury, Department of Health, Housing and Welfare WIC Program to apply for and accept funding from the March of Dimes for outreach programs in the amount of $40,000. 14. RESOLUTION - Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation – Fire Department Receive the communication and approve the resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Fire Department to apply for and accept funding from the Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation in the amount of $2500. 15. RESOLUTION - 2007 DUI Expanded Grant – Additional Funding Receive the communication and approve the resolution authorizing the City of Danbury Police Department to accept additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation for the 2007 DUI Expanded Grant. 20. AD HOC REPORT - Point Driftwood – Name Change Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 24. AD HOC REPORT - Request for Sewer -102 Federal Road Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 25. AD HOC REPORT - Request for Sewer – 15 Bates Place Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. A motion was made by Councilman Seabury and seconded by Councilman Calandrino to accept the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Richter Park Authority The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 2. COMMUNICATION - Taylor Farm – Conservation Easement City Clerk Natale read the communication from the Mayor. Councilman Cavo moved to accept the communication and authorize the Mayor’s Office to pursue any grants available. Councilman Seabury seconded the motion. A brief discussion followed. The motion carried unanimously with Councilman Rotello absent from the dais. 3. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Danbury’s Emergency Shelter City Clerk Natale read the communication donating personal items and toiletries to Danbury’s Emergency Shelter from Pauline Nelson and staff at Macy’s Men’s Department. Councilman -2- Page 2 of 6 Seabury moved to accept the donations and send a letter of thanks and seconded by Councilwoman Teicholz. The motion carried unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATION - Donations to the Department of Elderly Services City Clerk Natale read the communication of donations to the Department of Elderly Services from Filosa, Town of New Milford, Village of Brookfield Common and The Gardens. Councilman Johnson moved to accept the donations and send a letter of thanks and seconded by Councilwoman McMahon. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COMMUNICATION - Donation of an American Liberty Elm Tree City Clerk Natale read the communication donating an American Liberty Elm Tree from Bartlett Tree Experts. Councilman Calandrino moved to accept the donation and send a letter of thanks and seconded by Councilman Trombetta. The motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Police Department City Clerk Natale read the communication of a donation to the Police Department for training and development from GE Capitol Solutions. Councilman Trombetta moved to accept the donation and send a letter of thanks and seconded by Councilman Chianese. The motion carried unanimously. 7. COMMUNICATION - Public Information Course – Health Department The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 8. COMMUNICATION - Water and Sewer Fund Reappropriations The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 9. COMMUNICATION - Danbury Municipal Airport Acquisition of Property Funding of Acquisitions/Consultant Fees City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Riley moved to accept the communication and authorize the transfer of funds. Councilwoman Basso seconded the motion. A discussion followed with Director of Finance David St. Hilaire. The motion carried unanimously. 10. COMMUNICATION — Request for Water – Backus Avenue and 3 – 5 Sugar Hollow Rd City Clerk Natale read the request. Councilwoman Diggs asked that this be referred to an Ad Hoc Committee along with the Director of Public Works Department and 30 day report from Planning Commission. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Gregg Seabury, Philip Curran and Duane Perkins to the Committee. 11. RESOLUTION - Pocono Lane Traffic Improvement City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Seabury moved to accept the communication and adopt the Resolution. Councilman Chianese seconded the motion. A discussion followed with Councilman Saadi thanking the Mayor and Director of Public Works for moving forward on a resolution despite the lack of cooperation from the State. Questions were asked about the easements of Public Works Director Iadarola. The motion carried unanimously. -3- Page 3 of 6 12. RESOLUTION - Storm Drainage Easements The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 13. RESOLUTION - March of Dimes Grant – WIC Program The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 14. RESOLUTION - Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation – Fire Department The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 15. RESOLUTION - 2007 DUI Expanded Grant – Additional Funding The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 16. RESOLUTION - Per Capita Grant – Additional Funding City Clerk Natale read the Communication. Councilwoman Saracino moved to accept the Communication and adopt the Resolution. Motion was seconded by Councilman Cavo. A discussion followed with Scott LeRoy, Director of Health, Housing and Welfare answering several questions. The motion carried unanimously. 17. REPORT - Statement of Condition and Property - Danbury Fire Department Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report, since all members have copies, and the report is on file and to accept the report and to take no action. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Teicholz. Councilman Curran commended the report and stated the Department has never been in such great shape. The motion carried unanimously. 18. AD HOC REPORT & RESOLUTION - Administration of Military Leave Councilwoman Diggs read the report. Councilwoman Basso moved to accept the report, adopt the Resolution and implement the recommendations. Councilman Cavo seconded the motion. A discussion followed praising the City’s current policy and the recommended improvements. The motion carried unanimously. 19. AD HOC REPORT & ORDINANCE - Danbury Museum & Historical Society Councilman Curran moved to waive the reading of the report since all members have copies and the report is on file and to send the Ordinance to Public Hearing. 20. AD HOC REPORT - Point Driftwood – Name Change The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 21. AD HOC REPORT - Estate of Harry Hunt Councilman Calandrino moved to waive the reading and adopt the report since all members have copies and it is on file. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rotello. A discussion followed with Deputy Corporation Counsel Pinter answering questions. -4- Page 4 of 6 The motion passed 17-1 with Councilwoman Taborsak voting in the negative. 22. AD HOC REPORT - Noise Ordinance Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading and adopt the report since all members have copies and it is on file. Motion was seconded by Councilman Riley. The motion carried unanimously. 23. AD HOC REPORT - Request for Sewer and Water - Route 37 & Stacey Road Councilwoman Saracino moved to waive the reading of the report since all members have copies and it is on file and approve the petition subject to the 8 steps required. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Basso. A discussion followed regarding departmental approvals. The motion passed 17-1 with Councilwoman Taborsak voting in the negative. 24. AD HOC REPORT - Request for Sewer -102 Federal Road The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 25. AD HOC REPORT - Request for Sewer – 15 Bates Place The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. Councilman Cavo moved to discuss Item 29 (Department Reports) at this time because the remaining items were for Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Saracino. The motion carried unanimously. 29. DEPARTMENT REPORTS—Police, Fire, Elderly Services, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit, Unit, Library: A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilwoman Basso to receive the communication and accept the Department Reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. A discussion followed on the Department Reports. The Council went into Executive Session at 8:33 pm and reconvened at 9:25 pm 26. EXECUTIVE SESSION - City of Danbury v. Saniuk Councilman Cavo moved to authorize the transfer of any quit claim interest the City of Danbury may now or in the past have had, in property at 4 Bell’s Lane, to the Estate of Saniuk, as proposed by counsel, subject to Planning Commission approval and execution of such court and other documentation as may be required to accomplish that goal. Motion was seconded by Councilman Chianese. The motion carried unanimously. 27. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Aberdeen/Jowdy Police Station Property Acquisition Councilman Cavo moved to approve the proposed settlement of litigation and property acquisition related to the new Police Station at East Franklin and Maple in accordance with the recommendation of Corporation Counsel, subject to certification of funding and any necessary court approval and document execution. -5- Page 5 of 6 Motion was seconded by Councilman Riley. The motion carried unanimously. 28. EXECUTIVE SESSION - New Street Property Acquisition Councilman Cavo moved to authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton, on behalf of the City of Danbury to conduct and conclude negotiations toward the acquisition of land on New Street, subject to Planning Commission approval and certification of funding plus 10% Motion was seconded by Councilman Trombetta. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Boughton read the announcements for the month of August Mayor Boughton extended all committees A motion was made by Councilman Saadi and seconded by Councilman Riley that the Common Council Meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously at 9:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Dot Stasny Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor -6- Page 6 of 6