Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES OCTOBER 19, 2017 1. Mayor “Pete” Hess called the special meeting to order at 6:22 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: R. Neth L. Jackson L. Weschler R. Burns P. Scully, Sr. K. Donovan R. Vitale RESIDENTS: C. Herb D. Wisniewski Seven D. Hoff DEPARTMENT HEADS: R. Butler, Jr., Purchasing/Financial Analyst A. Bruce, Controller R. Roland, DPW Superintendent J. Stewart, DPW Director OTHERS: M. Leonard, Conservation Commission Chairwoman Attorney E. Fitzpatrick J. Ayash, Conservation Commission L. Sheedy, Chapter 90 President C. Yanelli, Conservation Commission S. Ribeiro, DPW Assistant F. Flores, Conservation Commission L. Ramos, Park Commission B. Vaugh, Conservation Commission M. Falcha, Park Commission M. Sharon, Conservation Commission E. Forlenzo, Park Commission S. Zahid, Conservation Commission E. Solomon, Park Commission L. Ramos, Park Commission Chairwoman J. Kuczenski, Fire Commission 2. Burgess Burns led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Scully to recess to Executive Session at 6:25 p.m. for discussion on the following: Personnel (Town Planner/Wetlands Enforcement Officer, Zoning Enforcement Officer) and Pending Litigation inviting in Purchasing/Financial Analyst R. Butler, Chapter 90 President L. Sheedy, DPW Assistant S. Ribeiro, DPW Director J. Stewart and Attorney E. Fitzpatrick. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 7:18 p.m. 4. The following motion emanated from Executive Session. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Scully that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses allow Mayor Hess to work with the unions (Chapters 89 & 90) to separate the position of land use planner into two positions, land use planner and zoning enforcement officer, as discussed in executive session provided that it is done in a manner that does not increase salary and benefits in the overall town hall and land use budgets.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – October 19, 2017 5. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Scully that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses refer the proposed acquisition of land at 0 Great Hill Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 to be utilized as a future Industrial Park in conjunction with the Waterbury Development Corporation and the City of Waterbury to the Planning Commission for a report pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes. 6. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Scully that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses refer the proposed sale of Borough of Naugatuck Owned Real Estate as per the RFP regarding remnant parcels to the Planning Commission for a report pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes. 7. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Scully that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the bid and authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for the “Power Washing and Paint Services” to Scholar Painting LLC, 2 Klarides Village Drive #145, Seymour, CT 06483 in the amount of $8,320.00 as recommended by Purchasing and Financial Analyst Robert Butler, Jr. 8. Presentations were made by the Conservation Commission, the Park Commission and the resident for the proposed Nature Center on the Use of Borough Land at Andrew Mountain Park and Gunntown Park. Conservation Commission Chairwoman Melissa Leonard gave a presentation on the Conservation Commission and why the commission should oversee borough owned passive open space. She read some of the duties of the Conservation Commission outlined in the ordinance. Mrs. Leonard said the Conservation Commission will not develop or administer programs for passive open space in town but will approve suitable uses for passive open space. She said the Conservation Commission wants to be more than advisory. They want to have the final say with what occurs at passive parks. Conservation Commission member Christine Yanelli said passive recreation is not scheduled or preplanned. She said preserving open space is doing something with it. Mrs. Yanelli said the Park Commission is geared more toward active space. Park Commission Chairwoman Linda Ramos spoke about the Park Commission’s plans to utilize borough owned passive open space and why the commission should continue to oversee all borough land, including passive open space. She said the Park Commission wants to create programs for diverse users. They could be low intensity recreation such as kite flying, yoga classes, painting classes, picnics, celebrating nature with talks and books, etc. Mrs. Ramos said community involvement makes a community. DPW Superintendent Robert Roland said DPW employees work at both Andrew Mountain Park and Gunntown Park. He said staffing is not an issue. Mr. Roland thinks the two groups should work together to promote activities with residents at both locations. He agrees with the statement Mrs. Leonard made that for the past seven years the two groups  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – October 19, 2017 have worked well together. DPW Assistant Sandra Ribeiro said the Conservation Commission is requesting to take over passive parks because they feel the Park Department is overworked. It was the Park Department that did the benches and kiosks at Gunntown Park. She said it will not alleviate the workload of the Park Department by allowing the Conservation Commission to oversee passive open space. Resident James Tully spoke about establishing a Nature Center in Naugatuck. He said it would be modeled after Ansonia’s Nature Center. He is an avid naturalist, he hikes and volunteers at Ansonia Nature Center. He thinks Andrew Mountain Park and Gunntown Park are great locations for a nature center. Mr. Tully prefers Andrew Mountain Park since the Dog Park and Community Garden are already there. There are benefits to having a nature center for school trips where students can learn hands on. Exposure to nature increases a child’s attention span. Amphibians, reptiles and animals can be kept at the Nature Center. 9. Public Comment – Limited to the use of borough property at Andrew Mountain Park and Gunntown Park. Conservation Commission Member S. Zahid said Gunntown Park should be left alone. Let it flourish. She said there was a hayride at Gunntown and the tires got stuck in the wetlands. Mr. Roland said a hayride was never held at Gunntown Park. They talked about it only. L. Yanelli fully supports the Conservation Commission having full authority over open passive space. There needs to be a clear demarcation between passive and active open space. Conservation Commission Member J. Ayash said twenty students once came to Gunntown Park. It’s open to everyone but not to be used by everyone at once. Conservation Commission Member M. Sharon is very happy to see gardens growing at Andrew Avenue School. M. Turman said everything is imbalance right now. The Parks Commission does not understand the environment. It’s not for parties. Park Commission Chairwoman L. Ramos said it’s not about a party. It’s about teaching, learning and using the land. Knowledge on the environment is not needed to make sure children are safe. Conservation Commission Chairwoman M. Leonard said the Park Commission is not conservation minded. DPW Superintendent R. Roland took exception to Mrs. Leonard’s comment. J. Kuczenski said when he was the chairman of the Park Commission he worked with the Gunntown Group and worked to create the Dog Park. 10. The board did not take any action regarding the Use of Borough Land at Andrew Mountain Park and Gunntown Park nor the Establishment of a Nature Center at either or both sites. The Parks Commission has authority to oversee passive parks by a resolution from the Board of Mayor and Burgesses. The Conservation Commission wants authority and is asking the board to change oversight from the Park Commission to the Conservation Commission. Mayor Hess would like to hold a meeting with the chairs from both commissions to craft a proposal that would be amicable to everyone.  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – October 19, 2017 11. Motion by Burgess Donovan and seconded by Burgess Scully that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses use funds to acquire Capital Items pursuant to Section 7-535 C.G.S. and purchase the following items: 1. an irrigation system for the green for a sum not to exceed $20,000 2. a public address system in separate pieces for a sum not to exceed $4,800 or $1,000 for each piece 3. a leaf blower attachment to our brush tractor for a sum not to exceed $5,280 4. signage at the Naugatuck Industrial Park for both main entrances that will include revised names and directories for a sum not to exceed $4,900 5. two security cameras for the Litter Task Force Committee for a sum not to exceed $1,500 6. a floor scrubber for the Naugatuck Event Center for a sum not to exceed $9,000 and authorization to make the purchase from either Coliseum Pawn Shop and/or EPB Supply Solutions. Deputy Mayor Neth abstained. 12. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Burgess Hoff and seconded by Mayor Hess to adjourn the special meeting at 9:48 p.m. A digital recording of this meeting is available in the office of the Borough Clerk for further review. Attest: Nancy K. DiMeo Borough Clerk