Common Council

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 6, 2011 6:30 P.M. Regular Meeting The special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Present Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano; Council Members: Thomas J. Serra, Ronald P. Klattenberg, Philip J. Pessina, Gerald E. Daley, Joseph E. Bibisi, Robert P. Santangelo Hope P. Kasper James B. Streeto, Grady L. Faulkner, Jr., Deborah A. Kleckowski, David Bauer; Corporation Counsel William Howard, Sergeant-at-arms Acting Chief of Police Patrick McMahon; and Common Council Clerk Marie O. Norwood. Also Present Ten members of the public Meeting Called to Order The Chair calls the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. leads the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Call of Meeting Read The Call of the meeting is read and accepted. The Mayor declares this call a legal call and the meeting a legal meeting. Agenda Items 2 and 3 Description Public Hearing Opens on Agenda Items The Chair opens the public hearing at 6:37 p.m. on any item on tonightìs agenda. He reminds everyone that there is a five minute rule. Public Hearing Closed The Chair asks if there are other members of the public who wish to speak to come forward. Seeing none, the Chair closes the public hearing on agenda items at 6:38 p.m. Agenda Item 4 Description Resolutions, Ordinances, etc. Agenda Item 4-1 The Chair recognizes Councilman Serra for agenda item 4-1. Councilman Serra reads and moves agenda item 4-1 for approval. Noted for the Record Council Members Faulkner and Daley take their seats at 6:38 p.m. Councilman Bauer seconds the motion. The Chair, seeing no discussion, calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with eleven affirmative votes. The Chair states the matter is approved unanimously with eleven affirmative votes, no negative votes, and no abstentions. Resolution No. 12-11 File Name ccapptdrew.doc Description Approving the appointment of Daniel T. Drew to fill the vacancy on the Common Council created by the resignation of Vincent J. Loffredo. (APPROVED) Whereas, Councilman Vincent J. Loffredo resigned from the Common Council, effective at the conclusion of the January 3, 2011 Council meeting and the Mayor has declared a vacancy in office on January 4, 2011; and Whereas, Chapter II, Section 8 Vacancy in Office, subparagraph D states for vacancies in offices other than the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor, the Common Council shall by majority vote fill such vacancy and such appointee shall be a member of the same political party as the predecessor in said office and shall be appointed for the remainder of the term. Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That Daniel Drew be and is hereby appointed to the Common Council of the City of Middletown to fill the unexpired term of Vincent J. Loffredo effective from the conclusion of the January 3, 2011 meeting to November 15, 2011. January 6, 2011 COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 2 Agenda Item 4-2 Councilman Serra reads and moves for approval agenda item 4-2; his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. The Chair asks if there is any discussion; seeing none he calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with eleven aye votes. The Chair states the matter passes with eleven affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstentions. Resolution No. 13-11 File Name cc2011changestoorgofCouncil.doc Description Approving the various changes to the appointments to Councilmanic Committees and Commissions. (APPROVED) Be it Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middletown: That the following changes be made to Councilmanic Commissions and Committees: Councilwoman Hope Kasper has resigned from Ordinance Study and the Retirement Board and is appointed to the Personnel Review Committee as Chair and to Public Safety; and Councilman James B. Streeto has resigned from Public Works and is appointed as Chair for Ordinance Study; and Councilman Ronald P. Klattenberg is appointed as Chair of the Public Works Committee; and Be It Further Resolved: That Councilman Daniel Drew be appointed to the following Councilmanic Committees: Economic Development, Ordinance Study, and Public Works. Agenda Item 5 Description Mayor’s Appointments The Chair reads the appointments and asks for a motion to approve. Councilman Serra moves them for approval and his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. The Chair states the appointments have been moved and seconded and asks if there is discussion. Seeing none, the Chair calls for the vote; It is unanimous to approve with eleven aye votes. The Chair states the matters pass with eleven affirmative votes, no negative votes, and no abstentions. The appointments are confirmed. Park and Recreation Committee Appointment of Dan Drew to replace Thomas J. Serra (resigned) to November 15, 2011 Reitrement Board: Appointment Thomas J. Serra to replace Hope Kasper to November 15, 2011 Middletown High School Locker Room Building Committee: Appointment of Daniel Drew to replace Vincent J. Loffredo. Councilman Serra congratulates Daniel Drew for putting his name forward for the vacancy. Everyone knows the time necessary to do the job and to see him come forward and seeing him with his wife and children and doing the job, he thanks him on behalf of the Council and citizens of Middletown for your commitment to Middletown. Welcome aboard. Councilman Daley echoes Councilman Serraìs remarks and he wanted to take the opportunity to say how pleased he is to have Mr. Drew join the Council; he didnìt know him prior to the election two years ago and he got to work with him and found him to be a very intelligent, high energy individual with strong family values and a strong commitment to public service and the community. There were comments made as to why he was the choice of the caucus for the vacancy and all he can say is through the campaign, Dan reached out to the community, knocked on doors and meet thousands of residents and came to know the issues of the community and identifies with the broad sense of the community. We had an opportunity to put an individual here who campaigned for the highest office in the City and came within hundreds of votes and it shows that he has community support to fill the office. It is a good experience and he is glad to see a younger person come forward and it is good to see a young person become a member of the Council. Councilman Pessina states, as Minority Leader and on behalf of minority side, he welcomes Mr. Drew to the Council and I told your wife about the January 6, 2011 COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Page 3 time it takes to be a member of the Council. He hopes we can work in a bipartisan manner and looks forward to working with you. Councilman Santangelo states like everyone else, he is excited about Mr. Drew coming on the Council; he worked with him on the campaign and he learns fast and picks up on what is going on. His wisdom goes way beyond his years. He will be a great asset to us and the City of Middletown. The Chair states we cannot amend the agenda for the special meeting so we technically have to adjourn and then administer the oath of office so you can get right to work. Mr. Drew states he appreciates the comments and thanks you for the opportunity and trust you place in me. He looks forward to working with you and appreciates your unanimous and bipartisan support and looks forward to working with you for Middletown and its citizens. He is proud to be a part of the Council and to work with this group. On a personal note, he thanks his wife and children for supporting me and he recognizes Councilman Loffredo for his years of service to Middletown. He was an extraordinary public servant and hopes he can meet those expectations. This is an honor. The Council congratulates him. Motion to Adjourn Councilman Serra moves to adjourn and his motion is seconded by Councilman Pessina. There is no discussion and the vote is called. It is unanimous to adjourn and the Chair declares it at 6:46 p.m. ATTEST: MARIE O. NORWOOD Common Council Clerk