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, December 4, 2007. Present were Council Members: Louise P. McMahon, Shay Nagarsheth, James H. Johnson, Charles J. Trombetta, Michael J. Calandrino, Duane E. Perkins, Fred Visconti, Benjamin Chianese, John J. Esposito, Thomas J. Saadi, Joseph M. Cavo, Paul T. Rotello, Jane Diggs, Mary Teicholz, Robert F. Arconti, Philip D. Curran, Jack Knapp, Robert T. Riley, Gregg W. Seabury and Colleen A. Stanley Absent were Council Members: Warren M. Levy (for religious reasons) PRESENT: 20, ABSENT: 1 Also present were Jean Natale, City Clerk; Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Laszlo L. Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel and Eric Gottschalk, Parliamentarian PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG & PRAYER: Austin Lee from Troop 9 led everyone in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman John Esposito led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Representative Joseph Taborsak, 110 Hayestown Road, spoke in favor of item 18. He recommended a neighborhood meeting Bob Williams, 11 Frandon Drive, spoke in favor of item 18, and urged other areas be included Pauline Basso, 8 Hoyt Street, spoke in favor of item 27 Linda Galloway, 231 Thaddeus Avenue, spoke in favor of item 18 Public Participation was closed at 7:40 p.m. Mayor Boughton read the announcements for the month of December. MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins that the Common Council approve the Minutes of the Common Council Meeting of November 8, 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. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilman Seabury presented the following items for the Consent Calendar: 2 – COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Government Entities Review Committee Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Council Members Philip Curran, Louise McMahon, Paul Rotello and the reappointment of Alan T. Boyce and Mark S. Chory to the Government Entities Review Committee. -1- Page 1 of 7 3 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Candlewood Lake Authority Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Gary A. Dufel to the Candlewood Lake Authority with a term to expire April 1, 2010. 4 – COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Commission on Aging Receive the communication and approve the reappointment of James Derwin, Sharon Kelly and Helen Miller as well as the appointment of Jay R. Geib as Members of the Commission on Aging. 5 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Planning Commission Receive the communication and approve the appointment of Helen M. Hoffstaetter as an Alternate Member of the Planning Commission with a term to expire January 1, 2010. 9 - COMMUNICATION - Additional Funding Request – Police Department Receive the communication and approve the transfer of $450,000.00 to the Police Department Special Services Account #2000.5052 as requested. 10 - COMMUNICATION - Transfer of Funds – Fire Department Receive the communication and approve the transfer of $20,000.00 to the Fire Department Special Services Account #2010.5052 as requested. 11 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Easements – Still River Greenway Receive the communication and approve the acquisition of the described easements for the Still River Greenway that will allow the City to maintain the easement corridor for passive recreation use. 15 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer and Water Approval Extension – 62 Chestnut Street Receive the communication and approve the time extension as requested. 16 – RESOLUTION - Non-Union Employees Benefits Receive the communication and approve the Resolution regarding non-union Employee Benefits. 17 – RESOLUTION - Hawthorne Terrace Water System – Well Lot Acquisition Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the property acquisition for the Hawthorne Terrace Water System. 18 – RESOLUTION - Aqua Vista Water Feasibility Study Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury to accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health to conduct a Water Feasibility Study for the area known as Aqua Vista. -2- Page 2 of 7 19 – RESOLUTION - Funding to Expand School Based Health Center Services Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Health, Housing and Welfare Department to submit a request for funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health to expand the School Based Health Center Services. 20 - RESOLUTION - School Based Health Center Improvements Funding Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Health, Housing and Welfare Department to submit a request for funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the described School Based Health Center Improvements. 21 - RESOLUTION - School Based Health Center Additional Funding Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Health, Housing and Welfare Department to submit a request for additional funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the described School Based Health Center Program. 22 – RESOLUTION - Women’s Club Grant – Elderly Services Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Department of Elderly Services to apply for and accept funding from the Woman’s Club of Danbury/New Fairfield for the purchase of a Kiln. 23 – RESOLUTION - Fairfield County Community Foundation Grant - Library Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Public Library to submit a request for funding from the Fairfield County Community Foundation to provide greater access to the Computer Tutoring Program for Danbury’s ESL Population. 24 – RESOLUTION - Mass Casualty Trailer Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Fire Department to execute a Personal Services Agreement with the State Of Connecticut Department of Health, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to acquire a Mass Casualty Trailer. 25 - RESOLUTION - Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant Receive the communication and approve the Resolution authorizing the City Of Danbury Health, Housing and Welfare Department to submit a request for funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health for the purposes of Bio-Terrorism and Flu Hazard Control. 29 - AD HOC REPORT - Request for Water – 79 - 81 Sandpit Road Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins to accept the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously. 1 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment of Deputy Fire Chief City Clerk Natale read the communication from the Mayor appointing Thomas J. Wiedl, Jr. as Deputy Fire Chief. Councilman Johnson moved to accept the communication and approve the appointment. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cavo. The motion carried unanimously. -3- Page 3 of 7 2 – COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Government Entities Review Committee The Communication was received on the consent calendar and the appointments confirmed. 3 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Candlewood Lake Authority The Communication was received on the consent calendar and the appointment confirmed. 4 – COMMUNICATION - Appointments to Commission on Aging The Communication was received on the consent calendar and the appointments confirmed. 5 – COMMUNICATION - Appointment to Planning Commission The Communication was received on the consent calendar and the appointment confirmed. 6 – COMMUNICATION - Request to Purchase Land City Clerk Natale read the communication from the Mayor requesting to purchase land. Councilman Seabury moved to accept the communication and authorize the Mayor to proceed with the acquisition of the property. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Stanley. A brief discussion followed regarding the purchase and certification. Finance Director St. Hilaire gave a verbal certification the money will be taken from the Fund Balance. Councilman Saadi made a friendly amendment to add pending approval from the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously. 7 - COMMUNICATION - Donations to the Department of Elderly Service City Clerk Natale read the communication of donations to the Department of Elderly Services. Councilman Cavo moved to accept the donations and send a letter of thanks. The motion was seconded by Councilman Seabury. The motion carried unanimously. 8 – COMMUNICATION - Donations to the City Holiday Party City Clerk Natale read the communication of donations to the City Holiday Party. Councilman Visconti moved to accept the donations and send a letter of thanks. The motion was by Councilman Trombetta. The motion carried unanimously. 9 - COMMUNICATION - Additional Funding Request – Police Department The Communication was received on the consent calendar and the transfer approved. 10 - COMMUNICATION - Transfer of Funds – Fire Department The Communication was received on the consent calendar and the transfer approved. 11 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Easements – Still River Greenway The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 12 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Ad Hoc – Connecticut Film Festival City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilwoman Diggs asked that this be referred to an Ad Hoc Committee, the Directors of Finance and Economic Development. Mayor Boughton so ordered and appointed Council Members Diggs, Calandrino and Rotello to the Committee. -4- Page 4 of 7 13 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Water – 119 Westville Avenue City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Riley asked that this be referred for Reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission. 14 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer and Water – 88 South Street City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Riley asked that this be referred for Reports from the City Engineer and Planning Commission. 15 – COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer and Water Approval Extension – 62 Chestnut Street The communication was received on the consent calendar and approved. 16 – RESOLUTION - Non-Union Employees Benefits The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 17 – RESOLUTION - Hawthorne Terrace Water System – Well Lot Acquisition The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 18 – RESOLUTION - Aqua Vista Water Feasibility Study The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 19 – RESOLUTION - Funding to Expand School Based Health Center Services The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 20 - RESOLUTION - School Based Health Center Improvements Funding The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 21 - RESOLUTION - School Based Health Center Additional Funding The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 22 – RESOLUTION - Women’s Club Grant – Elderly Services The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 23 – RESOLUTION - Fairfield County Community Foundation Grant - Library The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 24 – RESOLUTION - Mass Casualty Trailer The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. 25 - RESOLUTION - Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant The communication was received on the consent calendar and Resolution approved. -5- Page 5 of 7 26 – REPORT, ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - Acquisition of Open Space Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report from the committee as a whole as members all have copies and copies are on file in the City Clerks Office. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. The motion carried unanimously Councilwoman Teicholz moved to receive, accept and adopt the Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rotello. Councilman Saadi noted for the record that the Council has a copy of the minutes showing a Public Hearing was held for items 26, 27 and 28. The motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Teicholz moved to accept the Resolution calling for a Notice of Special Meeting to be held on February 5, 2008. The motion was seconded by Councilman Chianese. The motion carried unanimously. 27 - REPORT, ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION - Various School Improvement Projects Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report from the committee as a whole as members all have copies and copies are on file in the City Clerks Office. The motion was seconded by Councilman Perkins. The motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Teicholz moved to receive, accept and adopt the Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cavo. The motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Teicholz moved to accept the Resolution calling for a Notice of Special Meeting to be held on February 5, 2008. The motion was seconded by Councilman Chianese. The motion carried unanimously. 28 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Other Post Employment Benefit Trust Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report from the committee as a whole as members all have copies and copies are on file in the City Clerks Office. The motion was seconded by Councilman Perkins. The motion carried unanimously Councilwoman Diggs moved to accept the and recommend and adopt the Ordinance. Councilman Rotello seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 29 - AD HOC REPORT - Request for Water – 79 - 81 Sandpit Road The Report was received on the consent calendar and approved. 30 - AD HOC REPORT - Acceptance of a Monument Councilman Cavo read the report. Councilwoman Stanley moved to recommend and accept the donation of the monument. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cavo. A discussion followed on procedures for other organizations wishing to donate. The motion carried unanimously. 31 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS—Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit, Unit, Library: A motion was made by Councilman Cavo and seconded by Councilman Perkins to receive the communication and accept the Department Reports as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Comments by Council Members Riley, Saadi, Calandrino and McMahon on the Department Reports were entertained by the Chair. -6- Page 6 of 7 Mayor Boughton extended all committees and wished everyone a Happy Holiday Season. A motion was made by Councilman Seabury and seconded by Councilman Saadi that the Common Council Meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously at 8:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Dot Stasny Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor -7- Page 7 of 7