Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES JANUARY 4, 2022 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Borough of Naugatuck held the Board of Mayor and Burgesses meeting on a hybrid basis. Everyone was welcomed to attend in person, by Zoom Webinar or by phone. 1. Mayor “Pete” Hess called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: R. Neth, virtual G. Mudry A. Yilma M. Bronko, virtual, arr., 7:04 p.m. D. Neth-Kunin F. Dambowsky M. Smith RESIDENTS: C. Marenghi R. Vitale Unable to determine due to the format J. Mizeski, virtual DEPARTMENT HEADS: K. Hanks, Deputy Fire Chief A. Bruce, Controller, virtual J. Stewart, DPW Director, virtual S. Jackson, Assessor, virtual W. Seaman, 1st Assistant Fire Chief P. Russell, Fire Chief C. McAllister, Interim Police Chief, virtual J. Kallipolites, IT Director OTHERS: E. Fitzpatrick, Borough Attorney, virtual J. Litke, BOE Chairman, virtual F. Santana, Zoning Commission, virtual J. Lennon, Pension Board, virtual K. Kelley, Naugatuck Ambulance Chief, virtual A. McCool, Board of Education D. Sheridan, Finance Board Chairman, virtual L. Wehry, IT Assistant 2. Fire Chief Paul Russell led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 7, 2021. Each member received a copy for review. 4. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the monthly reports of December. Each member received copies for review. 5. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess thanked the police department, fire department, fire/police, CERT and Emergency Management Director Fran Dambowsky for everything they did regarding the distribution of free COVID-19 test kits to the community on Sunday. The distribution went very well. Everyone who came received a test kit. No one was turned away.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 4, 2022 6. Public Comment Board of Education member Aaron McCool spoke about the lack of a consistent policy in borough schools regarding quarantining students due to exposure to COVID-19. He is looking for support from this board to get one policy for all schools in the borough. 7. Chief Kyle Kelley gave an update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC). They responded to over 500 requests for service in December with many transports, and the response time was on par. Naugatuck provided numerous mutual aid calls to Waterbury and Middlebury. Chief Kelley said they have been very, very busy. Yesterday alone there were thirty calls. He is hoping to get the new ambulance on the road by the end of the week. He is looking to purchase a new four-wheel drive van ambulance. The staff is doing an outstanding job and are feeling appreciated. NAC is listed again as a public charitable organization. He is in discussions with IT Director Jim Kallipolites regarding updates to their IT system to connect to the town’s network. NAC helped Naugatuck Valley Health District with their vaccine clinics. Chief Kelley is very appreciative to the town for all of the help and support. 8. Mayor Hess said the RFP for Parcel B will be going out tomorrow and the deadline for proposals is April 29, 2022. The document not only discusses Parcel B but also references future projects in the downtown area. It would bring back the river and create a greenway on the eastside of the river connecting to Breen Field North and South. There is now a real two-way train traffic and a real commuter line. The town will be getting advice from engineers regarding the best way to utilize the ARPA money. 9. 2021/2022 Grand List, preliminary discussion. Discussion deferred until next month. 10. Mayor Hess discussed holding a special meeting regarding trash disposal options. The State of Connecticut is not giving municipalities any legitimate trash disposal options. Municipalities are being left to handle the problem on their own. One option for the borough is to stay with MIRA (Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority). MIRA is meeting in February and will have a proposal for the borough to consider. The second option is to work with a private company. We are working with our current vendor, USA Hauling and Recycling, to give us a contract. We need to make a decision soon. The state will be taking trash to out of state landfills, which is going to cost a lot more money. Burgess Marenghi volunteered to be on the team to choose the best option. Burgess Smith would like to be involved also. For the record: Mayor Hess: “Charles Marenghi has been our most active volunteer at the closeout of 2021 and heading into 2022. I’ve taken note of that and I’m putting your name on the list.” 11. Mayor Hess appointed Burgess Charles P. Marenghi as the burgess liaison to the Conservation Commission.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 4, 2022 12. Mayor Hess appointed Michelle Healy, 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as an alternate member of the Regional Planning Commission of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments. 13. Mayor Hess appointed April J. Chaplin, 39 Salem Boulevard, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Greater Waterbury Transit District, filling the unexpired term of J. DeOliveira, term to expire November 1, 2023. 14. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the appointment of Sandra Lucas-Ribeiro as the Naugatuck Tree Warden, term to expire January 1, 2024, according to Section 23-58 of the CT General Statutes. 15. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the appointment of James Stewart as the Naugatuck Deputy Tree Warden, term to expire January 1, 2024, according to Section 23-58 of the CT General Statutes. 16. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Neth-Kunin that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Dr. Robert Matusz, 464 Hillside Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Saunders Trust Advisory Board, term to expire January 1, 2024. 17. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Julie L. Sampaio, 20 Lynn Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Saunders Trust Advisory Board, term to expire January 1, 2024. 18. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Kathleen A. McPadden, 139 Kingswood Drive, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Saunders Trust Advisory Board, term to expire January 1, 2024. 19. Motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of W. Francis Dambowsky, 35 Moonlight Circle, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as member of the Emergency Planning Committee of the Council of Governments, term to expire January 1, 2025. Burgess Dambowsky abstained.  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 4, 2022 20. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the appointment of Kenneth Hanks, 19 Hillcrest Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as member of the Emergency Planning Committee of the Council of Governments, term to expire January 1, 2025. 21. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor “Pete” Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for a “Revaluation of all Real Estate within the Borough of Naugatuck, Connecticut” with eQuality Valuation Services LLC, 121 Mattatuck Heights Road, Waterbury, CT 06705 in the amount of $159,000 as recommended by Assessor Shelby Jackson. 22. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses preapprove and authorize the Fiscal Year 22/23 Fleet Fund purchases of six (6) police department vehicles, one (1) fire department vehicle and one (1) assessor’s office vehicle as recommended by Controller Allyson Bruce. Vehicles require additional lead time due to the automotive industries production line delays. 23. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses preapprove and authorize Mayor “Pete” Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for the early ordering of a “Pierce Triple Combination Pumper” with Firematic Supply Company, 10 Ramsay Road, East Yaphank, NY 11967 in the amount of $798,000 as recommended by Fire Chief Paul Russell. Expected delivery date will be July 2023. Prices are to increase 7% on February 1, 2022. 24. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Controller Allyson W. Bruce to refund the following tax refunds approved by Tax Collector James Goggin; as if read: Bill Name Address City/State/Zip Over Paid REBIMBAS, FRANCISCO J. + MARIA R. 2018-01-0008279 25 WARD STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -1,264.88 2018-04-0083692 NISSAN INFINITI LT P.O. BOX 650214 DALLAS, TX 75265 -113.94 REBIMBAS, FRANCISCO J. + MARIA R. 2019-01-0008274 25 WARD STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -1,278.26 2019-03-0054052 CASIANO, JESUS 990 W MAIN ST., APT. 205 WATERBURY, CT 06708 -606.60 2019-03-0061970 KARAS, MARIA C. 380 HITCHCOCK RD., UNIT 94 WATERBURY, CT 06705 -311.86 2019-03-0061971 KARAS, MARIA C. 380 HITCHCOCK RD., UNIT 94 WATERBURY, CT 06705 -468.00 2019-03-0061972 KARAS, MARIA C. 380 HITCHCOCK RD., UNIT 94 WATERBURY, CT 06705 -578.70  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 4, 2022 2020-01-0008880 RUIZ, SHARON 586 CONGRESS AVENUE WATERBURY, CT 06708 -716.00 2020-03-0050480 ALI, HAIDER 405 CITY HILL STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -46.12 2020-03-0053957 CCAP AUTO LEASE LTD 1601 ELM ST., STE. 800 DALLAS, TX 75201 -340.20 2020-03-0053975 CCAP AUTO LEASE LTD 1601 ELM ST., STE. 800 DALLAS, TX 75201 -776.70 2020-03-0059669 HAWKS, BRANDON M. 8 ASH ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -214.20 2020-03-0061489 KARAS, MARIA C. 380 HITCHCOCK RD., UNIT 94 WATERBURY, CT 06705 -150.08 2020-03-0061490 KARAS, MARIA C. 380 HITCHCOCK RD., UNIT 94 WATERBURY, CT 06705 -241.88 2020-03-0061491 KARAS, MARIA C. 380 HITCHCOCK RD., UNIT 94 WATERBURY, CT 06705 -283.50 2020-03-0062940 LODGE, SHANE L. 111 MORRIS STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -21.06 2020-03-0068143 PURCARO-KUDZMA, KAREN L. 861 BEACON VALLEY RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -200.29 2020-03-0073270 VAULT TRUST P.O. BOX 23950 NASHVILLE, TN 37202 -531.54 2020-04-0085983 TURNER, THOMAS G. 157 HORTON HILL RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -501.21 TOTAL -8,645.02 For the record: Burgess Neth-Kunin: “From item seventeen on, Mike Bronko has been back and has seconded the motions. Just for the record.” 25. Public Comment Zoning Commissioner Francis Santana asked if the left turn signal could be restored on the traffic light at Rubber Avenue and North Hoadley Street. Finance Board Chairman Dan Sheridan questioned where the funds would be coming from for the cost of the revaluation and the new vehicles. Mayor Hess responded the money for the revaluation is coming from the anticipated surplus. Controller Allyson Bruce said there is money in the fleet fund to pay for the annual lease payments on the new vehicles. 26. Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Burgess Marenghi attended the WPCA meeting. He said it was very educational. Mayor Hess said as part of the acquisition of the LANXESS property, we are going to have an opportunity to enter into a potential transaction on a two-acre area near the wastewater treatment plant to do anaerobic digestion of food waste. It has the possibility of generating a good deal of revenue. Burgess Neth-Kunin reported the Planning Commission is updating the Plan of Conservation and Development. Burgess Dambowsky said he is very upset with the state for not coming through with the free COVID-19 test kits after he and others worked to organize a date for distribution to Naugatuck residents. Burgess Mizeski spoke to a business owner on Church Street who said something needs to be done to stop people from driving down Church Street in the wrong direction. Deputy Mayor Neth said there is a company that is close to submitting a plan to the Indoor Sports Complex Committee. He agrees something needs to be done to stop wrong way drivers on Church Street.  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 4, 2022 Burgess Mudry suggested angling the barriers on Church Street into a bottleneck, which eliminates the ease of taking a right hand turn onto Church Street from Rubber Avenue. He is very excited about the potential development on Parcel B. Burgess Smith said the holiday event at the Senior Center was very nice. The Senior Health Expo will be held on April 21st. Senior Center Director Harvey Frydman wanted to thank the Unified Command Team for providing the senior center with water, hand sanitizer and face masks. Burgess Vitale wished everyone a Happy New Year. He thanked the Park and Rec Department for holding the “Pet Photos with Santa”. It was very successful. He is continuing to work on an ordinance to give a tax break to fire/police and CERT members. The police department and the public works department will be meeting to discuss cameras to help with litter and dumping issues. Mayor Hess said a disc golf course is coming to Naugatuck behind the dog park. The YMCA would like to create a disc golf course as well. There is a pickle ball court at the armory. The skating rink might open this week with the cold weather coming. 27. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to recess to Executive Session at 8:47 p.m. for discussion on the following: Personnel (Controller, Animal Control Employees), Real Estate (Parcel B – RFP, LANXESS Property) and Pending Litigation. No one was invited into executive session. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:17 p.m. 28. There were no motions emanating from Executive Session. 29. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:18 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