Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT JULY 13, 2017 The Special Meeting, the Community Public Meeting, of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilman Gene Nocera, Councilman Thomas J. Serra, Councilwoman Mary A. Bartolotta, Councilman Gerald E. Daley, Councilman Robert Blanchard, Councilman Grady Faulkner, Jr., Councilman Sebastian N. Giuliano, Councilman Philip J. Pessina, Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski, and Councilwoman Linda Salafia; Council Clerks Marie O. Norwood and Linda S.K. Reed. Absent: Mayor Daniel T. Drew, Corporation Counsel Daniel B. Ryan, Councilman Robert P. Santangelo, and Councilman Carl R. Chisem 1. Mayor calls meeting to order. Acting Chair Serra calls meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Acting Chair Serra asks Council Clerk Marie Norwood to lead the Pledge of Allegiance Council Clerk reads the Call of the Meeting and Acting Chair Serra declares call a legal call and meeting a legal meeting. 2. Public Comment Opens Acting Chair Serra opens the public comment session at 7:06 p.m. Stephen Krevisky, Professor at Middlesex Community College, member of the Peace & Solidarity Coalition, and the statewide teachers’ union. He provided a handout to the City Council and submitted that document to the Council Clerk. Professor Krevisky states that he is present to address the issue brought before the U.S. Council of Mayors, cutting the military budget and using that money to address the needs of people. Middletown has lots of problems, including in the North End. He asks that concessions be made and that money be redirected to education. The rich do not pay taxes. He states that he met with Mayor Drew last week and that the packet given to the Council Clerk is identical to what was shared with Mayor Drew last week. If military budget was cut and money was used for human needs, we would all be better off. There are problems ranging from pot holes in roads to lack of mass transit in cities compared to that found in Europe. The City of New Haven passed a resolution and submitted it to the U.S. Council of Mayors to cut military budget and to support social services. He urges the City of Middletown to do same. He asks that the Council hold a public hearing on the issue of redirecting money to use for human needs at home. He wants the City to take the lead in this redistribution because Middletown residents would be far better served. He states that he is from New York as is Mayor Drew. Subways in these cities are so much under par. Middletown needs to take lead and serve the residents of Middletown in jobs, education, and mass transit. He states that, as a former colleague of Councilwoman Kleckowski, more classrooms are needed at Middlesex Community College. Come visit Middlesex and see what we are doing for student in this community. He states that many others share his opinion and why we need to do this. Acting Chair Serra asks if there are further speakers. Lucy Earley follows with comments, emphasizing bullet points as Mayor Drew agreed. She states that the Council should take the New Haven resolution and make it pertinent to Middletown. What happens at Middlesex Community College impacts Middletown’s economy. We provide services to people in the North End with mental health issues. She urges the Council members to read the packet and consider doing what New Haven has done. Acting Chair Serra asks the Council Clerk if there is a sample resolution in the packet that has been submitted. Clerk states yes. Acting Chair Serra asks if there are further speakers. JULY 13, 2017 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PAGE 2 Vittorio Lancia states that, in 1980, Margaret Thatcher & Ronald Reagan spoke on society; there are only individuals. He states that to him this means “I’ve got mine; the hell with you.” That has become the American way. Today, people get their own and don’t care about society. Scott Pruitt as head of EPA wants to destroy the EPA. He is financier. He states that he listens to scientists who do the homework and bring their minds to what is happening. Everything is at stake. What does it profit a man to win the whole world? Climate change is all about this. Listen to scientists, not financiers. Last month, Trump discarded the Paris Climate Agreement, which is inadequate to begin with. Mayors across the country say that the Paris Climate Agreement should be accepted and that is should be made more stringent. I may be around to see the worst of it. I want my wife and grandchildren to have a life. There is no denial. What do financiers care? I have had enough. He asks the Common Council to adopt a resolution to agree with the Paris Climate Agreement. Acting Chair Serra asks if there are further speakers. 3. Public Comment Closes. Acting Chair Serra closes the public comment at 7:17 p.m. 4. Meeting adjourned. 7:17 pm Councilman Daley moves to adjourn the meeting. Motion is seconded by Councilwoman Kleckowski. The Acting Chair calls for the votes. The vote is unanimous to approve with 9 aye votes by the members present. The Acting Chair declares the meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. ATTEST: MARIE O. NORWOOD & LINDA S.K. REED COMMON COUNCIL CLERK