Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES MARCH 1, 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 7:01 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: R. Neth G. Mudry A. Yilma M. Bronko 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. Kallipolites, IT Director J. Stewart, DPW Director, virtual OTHERS: M. Leonard, Conservation Comm. Chair, virtual A. Chaplin, GWTD, virtual F. Santana, Zoning Commission, virtual J. Litke, BOE Chairman, virtual K. Kelley, Naugatuck Ambulance Chief, virtual J. DeOliveira, Former Burgess D. Sheridan, Finance Board Chairman, virtual T. Karas, Karas Co. E. Fitzpatrick, Borough Attorney, virtual 2. Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Hanks led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 1, 2022 and the special meeting of February 9, 2022. Each member received copies for review. 4. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the monthly reports of February. Each member received copies for review. 5. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess discussed choosing a date for a special meeting this month. The board decided the meeting would be held tentatively on March 16th at 7:15 p.m. 6. Public Comment Conservation Commission Chairwoman Melissa Leonard asked the mayor for an update on the Dorothy Daniels’ property. Mayor Hess told Mrs. Leonard to call him to discuss.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 7. Chief Kyle Kelley gave his monthly update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC). He said the call volume was down slightly in February and response times were within the normal limits. The busiest time of day was 2 p.m. and the busiest day was Thursday. He said employees are more focused. Many employees live in town and have stepped up to respond when they know they are overwhelmed with calls. Fifty to sixty St. Patrick’s Day t-shirts were sold to raise money for upgrades to equipment. Chief Kelley said he taught CPR classes to the fire deprtment employees. NAC held a thank you event for ION Bank and Drew Marine for their generous donations. Both organizations agreed to split the cost of a fourth new CPR device. Mayor Hess said he is looking to see if it is legally possible to order a new ambulance now and lease it through the borough’s fleet program. The borough will allot $10,000 a month to NAC in the upcoming budget to get them through the next year. 8. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following resolution regarding the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) Program; as if read: Whereas, the Board of Mayor and Burgesses has worked successfully with Advanced Energy Efficiencies to install clean energy technologies such as solar, fuel cells, and combined heat & power (CHP) at municipal and educational Naugatuck facilities; and Whereas, the deployment of these clean energy technologies has reduced the borough’s carbon footprint, improved our environment, and assured significant energy cost savings for the borough into the future; and Whereas, Naugatuck has successfully achieved renewable energy financial incentives created by the State of Connecticut, which has helped these projects achieve success, and Whereas, the State of Connecticut has ended the Zero Emissions Renewable Energy Credit (ZREC) for solar incentives and replaced it with the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) program for all future solar energy incentives; and Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to execute necessary documents to enable Advanced Energy Efficiencies to apply into the state NRES solar incentive program to replace the borough’s previous authorization for incentives for a solar array at Naugatuck High School. 9. Mayor Hess said a team will be assembled to look into a Facade Improvement Program. Burgess Smith volunteered to be on the team and the mayor is looking for others to join. He distributed Torrington’s Facade Improvement Program as an example. It incentivizes owners and tenants to improve their facade. Torrington received grants that offset the cost to property owners. The mayor said it is a great program, especially for Rubber Avenue.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 10. Mayor Hess said improvements have been made to the borough website. He would like to see Destination Naugatuck Website Enhancements highlighting what Naugatuck has to offer. Former Burgess Jack DeOliveira has been in touch with the mayor regarding the website improvements. He introduced Thomas Karas, a digital marketing consultant and owner of Karas Co. Mr. Karas thinks there is a better way to showcase businesses and events of interest to the community on the website. He said there will be a monthly report indicating where people are going on the website. A team consisting of Jack DeOliveira, Finance Board members Joe Savarese and James Higgins, Salem School volunteer Kelly Tremlett and IT department employees will assist Mr. Karas. The total cost will be $14,400 with $5,000 coming from the Town Clerk’s Capital Fund. The remaining $9,400 will be paid on a monthly basis through the 2022/2023 IT Department Budget. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to enter into an agreement with Karas Co. as presented, for the total amount of $14,400 with $5,000 to come from the Town Clerk Capital Fund. 11. Mayor Hess discussed the 2021 Grand List. He said the reevaluation of real estate is done every five years. We had a six year gap; therefore, we are going four years this time to stay on schedule. Motor vehicles and personal property are assessed every year. Motor vehicles went up dramatically throughout Connecticut due to increased motor vehicle values in the NADA Book. Personal property went down in Naugatuck due to solar panels being deleted as personal property. Real estate was average to low in the borough. Mayor Hess said it was a good year overall. There was a 3.44% overall growth which equates to a $2,740,000 increase in revenue. The mayor said our new Assessor Shelby Jackson is doing a great job, resolving many things that were troublesome. 12. Mayor Hess said we have an opportunity to collaborate with a private company for a Naugatuck Broadband Project. The mayor would like to invite VIVITAS to give a presentation on a borough-wide broadband network that would be controlled by the borough. The service would reduce the monthly payments in half for every household in Naugatuck. We would set up at company and Naugatuck would be involved in the planning, ordinances, pricing and billing. The private company would be in charge of the design, equipment, installation and operation. The mayor said it would be better service at a lower cost and would make money for the borough. The total cost is 10.4 million dollars that would be split fifty-fifty between the borough and the private company. There may be an opportunity for federal funding. Pay back should be in three years and after three years the company we established will make a profit. Finance Board member James Higgins and IT Director James Kallipolites would be investigating the proposal. 13. Mayor Hess said he often hears about the desire for a Skateboard Park in the borough. He discussed a California style skateboard park that is almost indestructible. The cost could be in the range of $225,000 to $275,000. Possible locations for a skateboard park could be Linden Park, Salem School or Cedar Park, the latter is the favored location. Rampage LLC is the company that would build the skate park. He asked burgesses for their opinion on the matter.  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 Burgess Marenghi likes the idea of a well-constructed skateboard park. Skateboarding is a legitimate sport and an activity that gets kids outside. It gives them an area to perfect their art and practice their sport instead of on the stairs at the congregational church or town hall. Burgess Neth-Kunin also likes the idea of a skateboard park. She said it moves kids to focus in a specific area instead of all around town. Burgess Dambowsky said Cedar Park is an ideal location. It is out in the open and traffic is going by all the time. He said there should be other plans for Linden Park and Salem School. Burgess Neth said do it now. He is concerned about liability issues and thinks signs should be placed stating the use of the skate park is at their own risk. Burgess Bronko would like to see kids have a place to perfect their craft. Burgess Mudry said Burgess Marenghi said it best. Burgess Smith likes the Cedar Park location and questioned whether it would be lit. Burgess Vitale is looking forward to a skateboard park. Burgess Mizeski thinks we should go for it. 14. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses refer to the Joint Boards of Mayor and Burgesses and Board of Finance a transfer request of $2,901,765 from the Board of Education Surplus – For the Years 2021 and 2022 General Fund to the Capital Fund as recommended by Controller Allyson W. Bruce. 15. Mayor Hess reappointed Alberto A. Janeiro, 101 Marbern Lane, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Building Code Board of Appeals, term to expire March 1, 2027. 16. 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 W. Francis Dambowsky, Jr., 35 Moonlight Circle, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as the burgess member on the Non Union Salary Review Board, filling the term of C. Herb. 17. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for “On Call Engineering Services” with Civil 1, Inc., 43 Sherman Hill Road, Suite D-101, Woodbury, CT 06798 as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart. 18. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for “On Call Engineering Services” with SLR International Corporation, 99 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410 as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart.  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 19. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for “On Call Engineering Services” with BL Companies, 355 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450 as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart. 20. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess to execute all contracts and related documents with Greenleaf Energy Solutions, 119 Hawley Road, Suite A102, Oxford, CT 06478 to upgrade the lighting at Naugatuck Ambulance Corps, 246 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770 with no out of pocket cost to the borough. 21. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess to enter into a fourth amendment to the purchase and sale agreement between the LANXESS Corporation and the Borough of Naugatuck. 22. 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 2018-01-0009324 ESTATE OF JUNE I. SHORE 11320 DEEP TRAIL FRISCO, TX 75033 189.94 2018-01-0010420 VARRONE, MARIO + 177 GRAHAM RIDGE RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -2,076.64 2019-01-0009317 ESTATE OF SHORE, JUNE I. 11320 DEEP TRAIL FRISCO, TX 75033 -191.96 2019-01-0010398 VARRONE, MARIO + 177 GRAHAM RIDGE RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -2,098.60 2019-03-0057365 ELS, TAYLOR R. 17 KENT STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -391.50 2020-01-0000951 BERGIN, RONALD F., SR. + 36 DEBBIE LANE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -1,056.83 2020-01-0001697 LERETA 901 CORPORATE CENTER DR. POMONA, CA 91768 -2,145.89 2020-01-0002457 ION BANK 87 CHURCH STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -2,408.75 2020-01-0008357 ION BANK 1430 NEW HAVEN RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -3,711.50 2020-01-0008358 ION BANK 1430 NEW HAVEN RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -3,393.18 2020-01-0009388 SHEA, WILLIAM R.+ LINDA A. 159 GENERAL PATTON DR. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -95.00 2020-01-0009915 SULLIVAN, MARGARET LILLIAN 781 AMITY ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -3,155.08 2020-01-0010351 TWO HUNDRED TWENTY THREE P.O. BOX 47 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -1,015.00 R & R LAWN AND GROUNDSKEEPING 2020-02-0041008 254 JONES ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -180.26 2020-02-0041016 REALTY 2000 LLC 223 MEADOW ST., UNIT 4 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -952.14 2020-02-0041243 THE COCA-COLA COMPANY P.O. BOX 1734 NAT 11 ATLANTA, GA 30301 -16.89 2020-03-0050115 ACAR LEASING LTD 4001 EMBARCADERO DR. ARLINGTON, TX 76014 -541.48  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 2020-03-0050130 ACAR LEASING LTD 4001 EMBARCADERO DR. ARLINGTON, TX 76014 -120.60 2020-03-0051663 BEARDSLEY, ELLIOTT C., JR. 63 SUMMIT ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -109.75 2020-03-0052690 BRICKETT, JAMES C. 28 MULBERRY STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -56.25 2020-03-0053977 CCAP AUTO LEASE LTD 1601 ELM ST., STE. 800 DALLAS, TX 75201-7260 -343.00 2020-03-0054827 CORNACCHIA, CHESTER 53 GRAHAM RIDGE RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -94.72 2020-03-0054830 CORNACCHIA, CHESTER 53 GRAHAM RIDGE RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -567.45 2020-03-0056075 DESAULNIERS, ARTHUR 70 DONOVAN COURT NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -342.23 2020-03-0058286 GARAFANO, TODD C. 957 NEW HAVEN RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -125.55 2020-03-0058998 GRAMBLE, JOAN P. 51 BEEBE STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -24.72 2020-03-0060509 HYUNDAI LEASE TITLING TRUST 4100 WILDWOOD PKWY. ATLANTA, GA 30339 -97.60 2020-03-0060512 HYUNDAI LEASE TITLING TRUST 4100 WILDWOOD PKWY. ATLANTA, GA 30339 -284.85 2020-03-0062842 LINGDELL, TOM E. 56 TANGLEWOOD LN. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -383.18 2020-03-0067438 PERRY, TRACY M. 23 NEW ST., UNIT 2 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -146.47 2020-03-0067846 PLASKY, ROBERT C. 254 JONES ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -191.03 2020-03-0069603 RUOCCO, ESTHER R. 669 HIGH STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -89.10 2020-03-0069604 RUOCCO, ESTHER R. 669 HIGH STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -57.60 2020-03-0069833 SAKYI-SAM, ROBERT 63 WISTERIA DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -342.23 2020-03-0070550 SEGETTI, DEBORAH J. 85 FAIRWOOD ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -299.25 2020-03-0070552 SEGETTI, MICHAEL R., JR. 85 FAIRWOOD ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -131.18 2020-03-0072162 TEACH, JACQUELINE S. 154 LORANN DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -23.92 2020-03-0074645 ACCETTULLO, FILIPPO, JR. 79 WOODBINE ST., FL. 2 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -155.26 2020-04-0080264 ANDREWS, STUART M. 32 ANDERSON ST., APT. 3 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -21.83 2020-04-0080736 BRANCO, DOMINGOS A. 27 NORTHRIDGE RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -126.00 2020-04-0080738 BRANCO, SUSANNE D. 27 NORTHRIDGE RD. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -354.38 2020-04-0080802 BROOKS, STACY V. 1251 RUBBER AVENUE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -383.04 2020-04-0081390 CRETELLA, JOANNE M. 396 SCOTT STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -38.91 234 CAROLINA CROSSING BLVD. 2020-04-0081418 CRUZ, HECTOR L. LITTLE RIVER, SC 29566 -123.25 2020-04-0081428 CRUZ, MIRANDA MARISEL 53 CONRAD ST., APT. 15C NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -23.85 2020-04-0084714 PIZIGHELLI, ELNA R. 1070 MAY STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -82.53 TOTAL -28,760.37 23. Public Comment Finance Board Chairman Daniel Sheridan mentioned there will be a Joint Boards meeting next Monday before the budget workshop. Zoning Commissioner Francis Santana asked for an update regarding the traffic signal on North Hoadley and Rubber Avenue. DPW Director Jim Stewart said he is working on the issue. 24. Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Burgess Marenghi said the Arts Commission finalized the summer concert schedule. Concerts will begin on Tuesday, June 21st with a new reggae band. Interim Police Chief Colin McAllister attended the Housing Authority meeting. There was a discussion about security cameras.  -7- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 Burgess Neth-Kunin reported the Planning Commission discussed the downtown project and the Housing Authority mobile park. The Board of Education had an active public comment regarding masks being optional in schools. There is an issue at City Hill Middle School regarding bullying. The administration is going to try to restructure classrooms and possibly add a fourth wave. Burgess Neth-Kunin sits on the committee working to address the issue. Burgess Dambowsky said an individual was charged with graffiti and burglary to several locations in the borough and other communities. He thanked Officer Fortin for his hard work. A trailer will be coming to Naugatuck to shelter people with special needs if needed. It will be stored at the event center. Mayor Hess said he would like to put murals downtown in the downtown plan. Burgess Marenghi said the mayor could reach out to art teachers for ideas. Burgess Mizeski will be meeting with Greater Waterbury Transit District member April Chaplin to discuss public transportation in town. HRD has hired a second driver and both buses are on the road again. Burgess Vitale congratulated Carlos Santos on receiving the Dibble Award. He said it was a wonderful evening. Burgess Smith said the Valley Health District reported COVID numbers are down and the vaccine clinics went well. The Coffee with a Cop Event was awesome. Burgess Mudry spoke with the police department regarding parking downtown and the use of a parking app. The app is easy to use or you could call a number when parking. The police department will make a presentation to the board at a future date. Chip Scofield had a wall for people to do their graffiti art on years ago. Burgess Bronko said kids enjoyed the graffiti wall when he was mayor. The wall was removed by the next administration. Deputy Mayor Neth is glad there is money going into the Capital Fund Account. He said there are needs at the fire department, police department and the Board of Education. Mayor Hess said there is a lot going on. The Tax Increment Financing District (TIP) will be a source of revenue. A team will be put in place that will meet monthly. There will also be a separate team to review the proposals for the downtown project. 25. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to recess to Executive Session at 8:53 p.m. for discussion on the following: Personnel (Town Engineer, GIS Position, Land Use Office), Real Estate (Parcel B – RFP, LANXESS Property, Norcom Expansion, 30 Church Street, Bank of America, 0 Beacon Manor Road, Acquisition of Land for Downtown Parking), Contract Negotiations (Amazon), Collective Bargaining (Fire Union) and Pending Litigation inviting in Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Hanks regarding the Fire Union. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 10:05 p.m. 26. There were no motions emanating from Executive Session.  -8- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – March 1, 2022 27. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:06 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