City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 7, 2017 Honorable Mayor, Mark D. Boughton, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean Hatch. Philip Curran led all in prayer. ROLL CALL: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Curran, Christina Chieffalo, Mike Esposito, Warren Levy, Andrew Wetmore, Irving Fox, John Priola, Vinny DiGilio, Joseph Cavo, Thomas Saadi, Fred Visconti, Elmer Palma, Christopher Arconti, John Esposito, Duane Perkins, Ben Chianese, Paul Rotello, Nancy Cammisa, and Joseph Scozzafava. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Gregg Seabury and Colleen Stanley were out ill. PRESENT: 19, ABSENT: 2 ALSO PRESENT: Robert J. Yamin, Corporation Counsel; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel; David St. Hilaire, Director of Finance; and Jean Natale, Legislative Assistant. PUBLIC SPEAKING  Ken Gucker, Padanaram Road, Danbury, discussed Item 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Boughton made the announcements for the month of February. MINUTES - Minutes of the Council Meeting held January 3, 2017 A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading and accept the minutes, as all members have copies and copies are available in the Legislative Assistant's office for review. The motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 4. RESOLUTION - Memorandum of Agreement - 2016 State Homeland Security Grant Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or his designee, Paul D. Estefan, Director of Civil Preparedness to enter into the Memorandum of Agreement as specified for the funds available through the 2016 Federal Fiscal Year State Homeland Security Grant Program. 5. RESOLUTION - Avigation Easement - Lynn Brown - 98 Miry Brook Road Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to acquire the specified easement related to 98 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, Tax Assessor’s Lot No. E19009 as further described in the Schedule A description, as well as authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton and Paul D. Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain grant funding for the reimbursement process and take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. 8. REPORTS - Sewer and Water Extension - Sheridan St. and Home Place - (Nejame) Receive the communication and approve the request for sanitary sewer main and water main extensions on Sheridan Street and Home Place – Rowland Square, Tax Assessor’s Lot Nos. J14162, J15372, and J15218 subject to the standard conditions and restrictions as specified on the application. *9. Ad Hoc Report - Governmental Entities Review [*Removed from Consent Calendar.] A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to accept the Consent Calendar with the removal of Item 9. The motion carried unanimously. 1. COMMUNICATION - Donation To The Fire Department - Powers Company A motion was made by Councilman Mike Esposito, seconded by Councilman John Esposito, to accept the generous donation of $20,000 and send a letter of thanks to Mr. Powers. The motion carried unanimously. 2. COMMUNICATION - Donation to City’s Emergency Shelter - Olde Crabs Hockey Club A motion was made by Councilwoman Chieffalo, seconded by Councilman Chianese, to accept the donation in the amount of $2,500 for costs related to the operation of the Danbury's Emergency Shelter and to thank the Old Crabs Hockey Club for their generous donation. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COMMUNICATION - Request for Sidewalk Easement - 274 Main St. - Pour Me Coffee and Wine Bar A motion was made by Councilman Wetmore to refer to an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Corporation Counsel, the Director of Planning, the City Engineer, the Business Advocate and a report from the Planning Commission. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton ordered the Ad Hoc Committee with the following Councilmembers - Levy as Chair, Stanley, and Visconti. 4. RESOLUTION - Memorandum of Agreement - 2016 State Homeland Security Grant *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing Mayor Mark D. Boughton or his designee, Paul D. Estefan, Director of Civil Preparedness to enter into the Memorandum of Agreement as specified for the funds available through the 2016 Federal Fiscal Year State Homeland Security Grant Program. 5. RESOLUTION - Avigation Easement - Lynn Brown - 98 Miry Brook Road *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and adopt the Resolution allowing the City of Danbury to acquire the specified easement related to 98 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, Tax Assessor’s lot no. E19009 as further described in the Schedule A description, as well as authorizing Mayor Mark D. Boughton and Paul D. Estefan, Airport Administrator, to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain grant funding for the reimbursement process and take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. 6. RESOLUTION - PCLB Foundation Grant - Elderly Services A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Wetmore, to receive the communication and adopt the Resolution accepting the grant funding from the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation for $50,000. The motion carried unanimously. 7. REPORTS - Sewer Extension - 67 Newtown Road (Berkshire Shopping Center) A motion was made by Councilman Levy, seconded by Councilman Fox, to receive the communication from Public Works together with the revised final positive Planning Commission report of February 2, 2017 and approve the request for a sewer and water extension for Berkshire Shopping Center, Lot #12032, subject to the approval conditions set forth in the correspondence. The motion carried unanimously. 8. REPORTS - Sewer and Water Extension - Sheridan St. and Home Place - (Nejame) *CONSENTED - Receive the communication and approve the request for sanitary sewer main and water main extensions on Sheridan Street and Home Place – Rowland Square, Tax Assessor’s Lot Nos. J14162, J15372, and J15218 subject to the standard conditions and restrictions as specified on the application. 9. Ad Hoc Report - Governmental Entities Review A motion was made by Councilman DiGilio, seconded by Councilman Fox, to refer Item 9. to a Public Hearing. Hearing no objections, Mayor Boughton so ordered. 10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Police, Fire, Health-Housing & Welfare, Public Works, Permit Center, Unit, Elderly, Library, Homeless Task Force Report Mr. Levy commented on the annual report on Homelessness showed Danbury has made tremendous strides under Mr. Boughton's leadership. Mr. Boughton noted it is a labor of love and thanked Probate Judge Dianne Yamin for her assistance. Mr. Visconti thanked Mr. Kaplanis for fixing ballfield problems due to a windstorm, and Airport Administrator Paul Estefan, Officer Hildebrand, and Sergeant Conrad for taking care of a dangerous drone situation at the airport landing area. Mr. Boughton congratulated Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour for a stellar year, Fire Chief T.J. Wiedl for his first class program, and Lisa King Riley who is the Acting Director of Health. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman Perkins, to waive the reading of the Departmental Reports as all members have copies and copies are on file for review in the Legislative Assistant's Office. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Boughton requested Mr. Palanzo, Mr. Prunty, Mr. Iadarola, Mr. St. Hilaire, Mr. Yamin, Mr. Pinter, and Ms. Calitro join the Executive Session. A motion was made by Councilman Saadi, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, to go into Executive Session. The motion carried unanimously. The Council reconvened. A motion was made by Councilman Cavo, seconded by Councilman DiGilio, that the City Council authorize the Mayor and Corporation Counsel to open up negotiations to discuss the purchase of a parcel of property as discussed in Executive Session with the funding to be taken from the Fund Balance for the dollar amount that was described and expressed not-to-exceed in Executive Session. The motion carried 18-1, Councilman Palma voting no. 11. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Boughton announced that Sal Chieffalo, Sr.'s wake is tomorrow and the funeral is on Thursday. Mr. Boughton noted there are three committees to be appointed: the Putman County Collaborative, Sewer Extension, and the Waterbury Economic Partnership. Mr. Saadi noted an invitation for the 411 Civil Affairs Battalion Bravo Company send-off ceremony which is on Sunday, and urged support. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Boughton extended all committees. A motion was made by Councilman Scozzafava, seconded by Councilman Mike Esposito, to adjourn the City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori Goor Recording Secretary Attest, Mark D. Boughton, Mayor