City Council

Honorable Mark D. Boughton, Mayor Common Council Members Mayor Mark D. Boughton called the Common Council Meeting to order at 7:33PM on Tuesday, December 2, 2008. Present were Council members: Louise P. McMahon, Shay Nagarsheth, James H. Johnson, Charles 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, Jack Knapp, Warren M. Levy, Robert Riley and Philip Curran PRESENT: 19 ABSENT: 2 Councilman Seabury was not feeling well and Councilwoman Stanley had a family emergency. 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: Antonio Iadarola, P. E., Director of Public Works led everyone in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Curran led everyone in the room in a prayer. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: There were no comments from the public. The announcements for the month of December were read. MINUTES – Councilman Cavo moved to accept the minutes of November 6, 2008 and to waive the reading of same, as the Council members have copies and copies are also on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote. CONSENT CALENDAR- Councilwoman Teicholz presented the following items for the Consent Calendar: 3. Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Common Council Members Philip Curran, Louise McMahon and Paul Rotello to serve on the Government Entities Review Committee. Additionally confirm the reappointment of Alan T. Boyce and Mark S. Chory to also serve on this panel. 4. Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of James J Blansfield to serve as a Member of the Stanley Lasker Richter Memorial Park Authority, with a term to expire February 1, 2011. 5. Receive the communication and confirm the reappointment of Robert Feinson, William Goodman, and Joan Damia to serve as Members of the Danbury Library Board of Directors with terms to expire January 1, 2011. Also confirm the reappointment of Dimples L. Armstrong, Robert G. Mosley and Douglas H. Van Clief with term to expire January 1, 2010. 1 Page 1 of 5  6. Receive the communication and confirm the appointment of Jean M. Hazard to serve as a Member of the Fair Rent Commission, with a term to expire July 1, 2011. 7. Receive the communication and confirm the reappointment of Bernard P. Gallo and Jon Fagan to serve as Members of the Environmental Impact Commission with a term to expire December 1, 2011. 8. Receive the communication and accept the donation totaling $658.00 from the Unidos Pos Sangre Club of Wabash College and send appropriate letter of thanks. 9. Receive the communication and accept the donation of a beautiful print valued at $250.00 from Alejandro De Jesus and send appropriate letter of thanks. 10. Receive the communication and accept the donation of $50.00 from Mr. J. Roger & Zita Schmeidel towards the operation of our Homeless Shelter, deposit it into line item HLTHDON 6000.02 account and send appropriate letter of thanks. 13. Receive the communication and accept the donations totaling $75.00 from the Cellmates and the Senior Center Chorus for the Department of Elderly Services, transfer into line item 5002.6000 donations and send appropriate letters of thanks. 14. Receive the communication and accept the donation of $25.00 from Sarah Franzblau, deposit into account number 50000.4659.93 and send appropriate letter of thanks. 15. Receive the communication and approve the request for additional funding in the amount of $2,100.00 for the Probate Court and place in line item 104-5324. 17. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton to accomplish the assignment of tax liens to American Tax Funding. 18. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution authorizing the Corporation Counsel Office to acquire the utility easements in the Cornell Hills Community. 19. Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution to authorize Mayor Mark D. Boughton or Scott LeRoy to apply for and accept funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for controlling nuisance plants at Candlewood Town Park. 20. Receive the reports and approve the request for a sidewalk easement at the corner of Osborne Street and Springside Avenue. 21. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 23. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 25. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 26. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 27. Receive the report and approve the recommendations of the committee. 2 Page 2 of 5  Councilman Cavo moved to receive and accept the Consent Calendar as presented. Seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1 - COMMUNICATION - Promotion - Police Department City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Cavo moved to confirm the appointment of Officer James Antonelli to the position of Sergeant. Seconded by Councilman Arconti. Councilman Cavo extended his congratulations to Officer Antonelli. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 2 - COMMUNICATION - Appointment - Fire Marshal City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Johnson recuesed himself from the discussion. Councilman Visconti moved to confirm the appointment of Acting Fire Marshal James Johnson to the position of Fire Marshal. Seconded by Councilman Curran. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 3 - COMMUNICATION - Appointments to the Government Entities Review Committee The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments confirmed. 4 - COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Stanley Lasker Richter Memorial Park Authority The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointment confirmed. 5 - COMMUNICATION - Re-Appointments to the Danbury Library Board of Directors The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointments and reappointments confirmed. 6 - COMMUNICATION - Appointment to the Fair Rent Commission The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the appointment confirmed. 7 - COMMUNICATION - Re-Appointments to the Environmental Impact Commission The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the reappointments confirmed. 8 - COMMUNICATION - Donation of Airfare/Hotel The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donation accepted. 9 - COMMUNICATION - Donation of a Print - "Danbury Main Street" The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donation accepted. 10 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to the Homeless Shelter The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donation accepted. 11 - COMMUNICATION - Donation to Welfare Department City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Nagarsheth moved to receive the communication and accept the donation. Seconded by Councilwoman McMahon. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton advised that this generous donation from Wal-Mart is part of the Project Homeless Connect. Council members were encouraged to attend Project Homeless Connect on December 3, 2008 at the Danbury Elks Lodge. 3 Page 3 of 5  12 - COMMUNICATION – Donations to Parks and Recreation Department City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilman Knapp moved to receive the communication and accept the donation. Seconded by Councilman Trombetta. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Councilman Arconti and Councilwoman Stanley were acknowledged for the generous donation. 13 - COMMUNICATION - Donations to the Department of Elderly Services The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donations accepted. 14 - COMMUNICATION - Donations to the Fire Department The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the donation accepted. 15 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Funding - Probate Court The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the request approved. 16 - COMMUNICATION – Farioly Funds Appropriation City Clerk Natale read the communication. Councilwoman Teicholz moved to receive the communication and approve the request. Seconded by Councilman Nagarsheth. Discussion followed regarding the Farioly Fund. Finance Director David St. Hilaire provided information regarding the fund. The Library Board is permitted to spend the interest accrued. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 17 - COMMUNICATION & RESOLUTION - Assignment of Real Estate Liens The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 18 - COMMUNICATION - Request for Sewer and Water Utility Easements - Cornell Hills The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 19 - RESOLUTION - DEP Invasive Plants Grant The communication was received on the Consent Calendar and the Resolution adopted. 20 - REPORT – Sidewalk Easement – Osborne Street The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the request approved. 21 - REPORT (Public Hearing) - Danbury-Bethel Interlocal Utilities Agreement The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved. 22 - REPORT (Public Hearing) - Sewer Extension - Short, Lombardi and Concord Streets Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report and refer this item to an Ad Hoc with Corporation Counsel, Director of Public Works, City Engineer, a report from the Health Department, as well as a new Engineering Survey to the residents. The committee will consist of Councilmen Curran, Arconti and Rotello. 23 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Snow Emergency Protocol, Code of Ordinance 19-60 The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved. 24 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Removal of Private Debris, Code of Ordinance 17-7 Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the report as copies are on file and Council members also received copies. Seconded by Councilman Arconti. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Councilwoman Teicholz moved to receive the report and accept the recommendations of the Committee. Seconded by Councilman Visconti. Councilman Saadi mentioned the addition to section (g) and made inquiry to the Director of Public Works regarding the personnel authorized to issue citations. Discussion followed regarding 4 Page 4 of 5  subsection (g) and delegation to issue citations. Director of Public Works, Antonio Iadarola, P.E., explained that the sidewalk inspector, who current has the power to issue citations, or a high level person in the Public Works organization; such as the General Foreman, two (2) Foremen or Superintendant would have issuing authority. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 25 - REPORT & ORDINANCE - Historical Property Study, Code of Ordinance 4-1 254 Main Street as a Historical Property The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved. 26 - AD HOC REPORT - Danbury-Bethel Interlocal Utilities Agreement The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved. 27 - AD HOC REPORT - Sister City The report was received on the Consent Calendar and the recommendations approved. 28 - DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Dream Homes, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Library Councilman Cavo moved to waive the reading of the Department Reports as Council members have copies and copies are also on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Seconded by Councilman Perkins. Discussion followed regarding security at Wooster Manor. Mayor Boughton advised that a resident meeting is planned. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Boughton thanked Councilman Johnson for his service to the City and the Common Council and wished Councilman Johnson much success as he assumes his new position of Fire Marshall. Mayor Boughton also extended his congratulations to Chief Baker and Deputy Chief Shanahan for the City’s recent designation as the safest city in Connecticut. There being no further business to come before the Common Council, a motion was made at 8:08P.M. by Councilman Cavo to adjourn. Seconded by Councilman Saadi. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Dorathea Gulya-Stasny Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor 5 Page 5 of 5