Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES APRIL 27, 2021 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Board of Mayor and Burgesses are practicing social distancing. The meeting was held by Zoom Webinar, a remote video conferencing platform, and by phone. 1. Mayor “Pete” Hess called the special meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: L. Taf Jackson, virtual C. Marenghi A. Yilma M. Bronko, virtual J. Mizeski, virtual F. Dambowsky R. Neth RESIDENTS: C. Herb, absent R. Vitale Unable to determine due to the format DEPARTMENT HEADS: OTHERS: J. Kallipolites, IT Director T. Hyde, NVRDC Director L. Rotella, Town Planner/WEO, virtual J, Stewart, Public Works Director, virtual 2. Burgess Neth led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Taf Jackson and seconded by Burgess Neth that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the appointment of Kimberly Kiernan, 33 Marbern Lane, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as Burgess, filling the unexpired term of J. DeOliveira, term to expire November 2, 2021 as recommended by the Republican Town Committee. 4. Mayor Hess said the owners of the The Loaded Goat, 66 Church Street and The Hub Wood Burning Pizza Bar approached him regarding outdoor eating on Church Street. They want to spend money to build an outdoor structure in front of their restaurant for patrons to dine outside. Examples of outdoor eating areas similar to West Hartford and New York City were reviewed. This would be a significant investment by the business owner. To make this work, we need to consider making Church Street one-way with parallel and angled parking. The street would still need to be wide enough for fire trucks. The fire and police departments will need to be involved in the process. It would be one- way traffic from Maple Street to Rubber Avenue. The structures would be subject to taxation. Mayor Hess said he is not looking for the board to make a decision tonight. He wants to see if the board approves of going forward with the idea. We want a vibrant downtown and we want to do it now before Parcel B is developed. The mayor gave permission for La Casita Cantina & Restaurant to hold a Cinco de Mayo event outdoors. This will be a trial run. A structure would be a fifty to sixty thousand dollar investment by the restaurant that wouldn’t be just for COVID. Each structure would be approved individually. It needs to be safe, look nice and attract people. They can be used in colder months with heaters.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Special Meeting – April 27, 2021 Burgess Marenghi personally likes outdoor dining. He loves the concept and thinks it will make downtown look alive. Burgess Vitale asked if there would be some type of break for the restaurant owners. Mayor Hess said there will be some type of lease. He said it will be one lane traffic with angled parking on one side and possibly some parallel parking. Burgess Neth asked if the structure would be in a parking spot in front of the restaurant. Deputy Mayor Taf Jackson loves the idea. Burgess Mizeski is concerned about diners and sidewalk traffic. He said he is all for it. Burgess Bronko said he is in favor of anything to help downtown. Mayor Hess said the Thai restaurant or the Brazilian restaurant are on the opposite side. If they choose to build a structure, it would present an issue. Burgess Dambowsky thinks we have to start doing something. Mayor Hess said DPW Director Jim Stewart and Town Planner Lori Rotella are already involved. We will need to bring the police and fire departments into the discussion. NVRDC Director Tom Hyde said he is all for it. It creates a vibrant downtown. Burgess Neth asked if the structure would be a temporary type that can be moved. NVRDC Director Tom Hyde said the structure would have to be up to code. Mayor Hess said another idea is to hold outdoor eating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Burgess Mizeski said the street should be one way for the Cinco de Mayo event as a test. Town Planner Lori Rotella said jersey barriers will be brought in for the Cinco de Mayo event. 5. Mayor Hess said the Naugatuck Valley Regional Development Corporation (NVRDC) is different from the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (NEDC). The NVRDC can get funding for projects not just promote projects. State funding is better when regionalized. Waterbury and the Borough of Naugatuck are in a partnership. Waterbury contributes seventy percent to the director’s salary and Naugatuck contributes thirty percent. Thomas Hyde was hired as the NVRDC Director. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Burgess Neth and seconded by Deputy Mayor Taf Jackson that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses include the sum of $45,000 in the upcoming fiscal year budget under the category of Naugatuck Valley Regional Development Corporation which is the sum that will be the contribution Naugatuck gives to Waterbury and to the entity for the director’s salary. 6. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Taf Jackson and seconded by Burgess Neth to adjourn the special meeting at 7:08 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