Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES FEBRUARY 7, 2023 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 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: J. Stewart, Public Works Director J. Kallipolites, IT Director K. Hanks, Deputy Fire Chief C. McAllister, Chief of Police J. Lawlor, Human Resources Director A. Bruce, Controller, virtual OTHERS: E. Fitzpatrick, Borough Attorney, virtual M. LaFortune, YMCA CEO 2. Deputy Mayor Neth 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 January 3, 2023. Each member received a copy 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 January. Each member received copies for review. 5. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess said the meeting tonight should be relatively short but executive session will probably be lengthy. He encouraged the board to visit Linden Park to view the work the Public Works Department’s employees did to prepare for the skateboard park. 6. Public Comment – None 7. NAC Board Member Kenneth Hanks gave the monthly update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC) in the absence of Chief Kyle Kelly. They responded to 430 calls for service. Bethany, which is an all-volunteer corps, approached them. They are having trouble with staffing. NAC is having some difficulty with Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. NAC has collaborated with Waterbury Hospital to receive a huge savings  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 on medication. Even though Waterbury Hospital is printed on the side of their vehicles, a patient can go to the hospital of their choice. 8. Mayor Hess discussed a Joint Venture with the Naugatuck YMCA and the Wilmot Farm Borough Open Space Gunntown Park. He said we are the owners of the Wilmot Farm Borough Open Space Gunntown Park, which has been expanded over the past three to four years. We applied to the State of Connecticut for an open space grant to purchase the mountain area. The mayor said the property is the unbuildable portion of the Wilmot Property that will connect Gunntown Park to our land at the top of Andrew Mountain Road. It is beautiful land for a variety of uses such as trails, nature and wildlife. He will be working with the YMCA on grant funding to purchase fields on the Wilmot property on the Rubber Avenue side that adjoins borough land. Mayor Hess said the public works department would work with the YMCA and assist them with their knowledge. He introduced Mark LaFortune, the CEO of the Naugatuck YMCA. Mr. LaFortune said the YMCA would like to purchase the land to create a destination to teach kids how to be kids again. Water and electricity needs to be added to the property and eventually he would like to build a building and/or a pavilion. The YMCA has grant funds and wants to create a top tier summer camp for children. He envisions three to five hundred kids attending the camp. Mr. LaFortune said they would not be able to do this without the partnership with the borough. 9. Mayor Hess discussed the possibility of Revaluation Phase In. Not all properties in Naugatuck increased at the same rate. Residential properties increased 41% with condominiums and multi dwellings increasing even higher. There was commercial growth. The mayor said the Grand List is a lot better than it was. Many properties were not assessed accurately for years. Phase in will benefit those properties with a large increase. Properties with a decrease would prefer to have it implemented all at once. The borough did revaluation late last time so this year we are doing it a year earlier to be on schedule. We can do a revaluation every year if something is not right or out of “whack”. 10. Mayor Hess discussed the Cannabis Ordinance/Regulations/Prohibition on Borough Property. He said the Zoning Commission passed Cannabis Regulations. Attorney Fitzpatrick submitted a draft Cannabis Ordinance. Attorney Fitzpatrick will meet with the Cannabis Committee to go over the new Zoning Regulations and the proposed ordinance. Burgess Neth-Kunin, Burgess Mizeski and Burgess Dambowsky are on the committee. 11. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses add a motion to the agenda to authorize the Borough of Naugatuck to enter into settlement agreements with the entities Attorney Fitzpatrick outlined. 12. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Borough Attorney Fitzpatrick to sign the appropriate opioid settlement documents with the entities Walgreens, CVS, TEVA, Walmart and Allergan.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 11. 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 Therese M. Wasoka (U), 37 Phyllis Drive, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as an alternate member of the Board of Finance, filling the expired term of R. Burke, term to expire June 1, 2024. 12. 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 Linda Mayfield (R), 23 Hopkins Hill Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a temporary member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, filling the unexpired term of A. Bronko, term to expire June 1, 2025. 13. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Katherine Carten, 23 Coventry Lane, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Saunders Trust Advisory Committee, term to expire January 1, 2025. 14. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Sandra Heller, 29 Coventry Lane, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Saunders Trust Advisory Board, term to expire January 1, 2025. 15. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Tracy L. DeBarber (R), 815 Maple Hill Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Inland Wetlands Commission, term to expire January 1, 2027. 16. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Marcia Puc (R), 17 Webb Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Inland Wetlands Commission, term to expire January 1, 2027. 17. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Louise Sheedy (D), 6 Culver Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Inland Wetlands Commission, term to expire January 1, 2027. 18. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Rui C. Costa, Jr. (R), 22 Sierra Ridge Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands Commission, term to expire January 1, 2027.  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 19. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Catherine Aresta (U), 85 Marbern Lane, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Water Pollution Contaol Authority, term to expire February 1, 2028. For the record: Mayor Hess “No one says Naugatuck better than you.” The mayor was referring to Deputy Mayor Neth. 20. Mayor Hess appointed Jeremy Rodorgio, 104 Burton Road, Beacon Falls, CT 06403 as a member of the Naugatuck Ambulance Board of Directors, term to expire January 1, 2028. 21. Mayor Hess appointed Robert A. Mezzo, 43 Olde Farm Lane, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Naugatuck Ambulance Board of Directors, term to expire January 1, 2028. 22. Mayor Hess reappointed Robert Retallick, 150 Ledgewood Road, Watertown, CT 06795 as a member of the Naugatuck Ambulance Board of Directors, term to expire January 1, 2028. 23. 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 a contract for “Grant Writing” with Danielle Goewey LLC. 24. 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 sign a contract to “Liquidate the Contents of the Naugatuck Event Center” with Keystone Liquidators. 25. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses waive the bid and authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for the annual renewal of the “Fireworks Software Subscription” with EPR Systems USA, Inc., 1016 LaSalle Street, Jacksonville, FL 32220 as recommended by Fire Chief Paul Russell and Information Technology Director Jim Kallipolites. Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. 26. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses waive the bid for contract FY23-B008 “Motor Vehicle and Equipment Parts & Repair” with Rich’s Car Works, Inc., 27 South Main Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart.  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. 27. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve and authorize Mayor Hess and Controller Allyson W. Bruce to purchase vehicles through the Fleet Fund as recommended by Controller Allyson W. Bruce. Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. 28. 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 2017-01-0010088 THOMPSON, MIGUEL H. 120 MELBOURNE COURT NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -72.52 2018-01-0010074 THOMPSON, MIGUEL H. 120 MELBOURNE COURT NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -94.50 2019-01-0010068 THOMPSON, MIGUEL H. 120 MELBOURNE COURT NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.24 2019-03-0067816 PATINO, WALTER J. 6 VINCENT PLACE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -11.56 2020-01-0010152 THOMPSON, MIGUEL H. 120 MELBOURNE COURT NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.24 2020-03-0058562 GIACOMAZZO, EDWARD P., JR. 31 PONDVIEW DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -62.23 2020-03-0066529 OLIVEIRA, ANTONIO A. 1368 MERIDEN ROAD WATERBURY, CT 06705 -298.36 2021-01-0002964 DOLAN, THOMAS JOHN 3948 MARKET ST. #24704 EDINA, MN 55424 -1,867.90 2021-01-0003194 NAUGATUCK PINES LLC 41 PURDY AVENUE RYE, NY 10580 -213.21 2021-01-0004627 HOLLEY, JOHN S., JR. & RUTH A. 108-092 CLARK ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -539.10 2021-01-0005873 LIPPAI, ISTVAN + 135 LINDA COURT NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -60.00 2021-01-0006990 RAUCCI, EMILIO 10 ROLLINGWOOD DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -47.76 2021-01-0011051 CORELOGIC P.O. BOX 9202 COPPELL, TX 75019 -1,314.56 2021-02-0040515 GIACOMAZZO, LUCILLE 31 PONDVIEW DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -2.00 2021-03-0050138 ACAR LEASING LTD 4001 EMBARCADERO DRIVE ARLINGTON, TX 76014 -299.78 2021-03-0051102 ARMENTANO, MARK A. 28 SIMSBERRY ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -107.08 2021-03-0052302 BLASAVAGE, EUGENE H. 630 MAY STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -30.10 2021-03-0052309 BLEES, JOSE L. 53 HIGHLAND AVENUE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -99.08 2021-03-0053291 BURROWS, RICHARD J. 14 ALLERTON ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -8.81 2021-03-0054595 CLARK, RYAN C. 287 FIELD STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -898.52 2021-03-0055107 CORREA, ANTONIO J., JR. 43 MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE BERLIN, CT 06037 -29.14 2021-03-0056037 DECRESCENZO, GEORGE M. 120 JUNCO CIRCLE LONGS, SC 29568 -26.18 2021-03-0056038 DECRESCENZO, GEORGE M. 120 JUNCO CIRCLE LONGS, SC 29568 -10.68 2021-03-0057888 FESKE, PAULA 86 HILL STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -91.41 2021-03-0058685 GARCIA, ROBERTO, JR. 325 WOOSTER STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -126.60  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 2021-03-0059867 HAMEL, SHIRLEY A. 5 PICTURE LANE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -84.07 2021-03-0060515 HOLLEY, JOHN S., JR. 108 CLARK RD. TRLR. 92 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -101.12 2021-03-0061727 JP MORGAN CHASE BANK NA P.O. BOX 901098 FORT WORTH, TX 76101 -240.40 2021-03-0062821 LANGO, BRENDA A. 37 EVERGREEN STREET BRISTOL, CT 06010 -171.84 2021-03-0065459 MILLETTE, ROBERT R., JR. 90 CLIFF STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -22.72 2021-03-0067083 OLIVEIRA, ANTONIO A. 1368 MERIDEN ROAD WATERBURY, CT 06705 -227.88 2021-03-0067198 ONOFREO, DAWN M. 101 PONDVIEW DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -55.70 2021-03-0069917 ROLAND, SCOTT E. 59 RUSTLING REED ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -91.38 2021-03-0071561 SILVA, FERNANDO M. 85 WEDGEWOOD DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -644.17 2021-03-0071973 SOBON, SHARON M. 205 QUINN STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -388.39 2021-03-0072793 TATAR, NIZAMEDIN 13 RED ROBIN ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -142.90 2021-03-0073305 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 1650 S PRICE ROAD, STE. 200 CHANDLER, AZ 85286 -161.10 2021-03-0073312 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 1650 S PRICE ROAD, STE. 200 CHANDLER, AZ 85286 -276.96 2021-03-0073397 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 1650 S PRICE ROAD, STE. 200 CHANDLER, AZ 85286 -313.62 2021-03-0073428 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 1650 S PRICE ROAD, STE. 200 CHANDLER, AZ 85286 -444.14 2021-03-0073985 VEGA, VICTOR K. 395 QUINN STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -27.00 2021-04-0080648 BRYK, DONALD E. 172 GORMAN STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -97.38 2021-04-0080967 CLARK, RYAN C. 97 COUNTRY HILL ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -363.42 2021-04-0080968 CLARK, RYAN C. 97 COUNTRY HILL ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -98.35 2016-01-0076216 TORAN, DAMION HARVEY LEE 395 WOOSTER STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -152.86 96 TOTAL -10,702.96 29. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses add a motion to the agenda to appoint a member to the Park Commission. 30. 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 Alex Olbrys (R), 72 Candee Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Park Commission, filling the expired term of E. Solomon, term to expire September 1, 2027. 31. Public Comment – Agenda Items – None 32. Mayor and Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Burgess Mizeski asked about raises for the Registrars of Voters. Burgess Vitale attended the fire and police departments’ basketball game. He said our personnel are very athletic. A Sweetheart Breakfast, run by the Park and Recreation Department, will be held on Saturday, February 11th. Burgess Bronko said the Cannabis Committee working with Attorney Fitzpatrick should look at the new Zoning Regulations. Burgess Marenghi said the lights never turn on over the Long River Bridge. The lights under the Whittemore Bridge are not working. Deputy Mayor Neth discussed the passing of Peter Jurzinski. He ran for mayor twice.  -7- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 33. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to recess to Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. for discussion on the following: Collective Bargaining (Police Union, Fire Union), Personnel (Public Works Director) inviting in Human Resources Director John Lawlor, Police Chief Colin McAllister and Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Hanks. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:05 p.m. 34. The following motion emanated from executive session. 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 a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Naugatuck Police Union for the term of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026 as discussed in executive session. For the record: Mayor Hess “I want to be clear that we are not voting on the firefighter’s contract because it’s not necessary. The matter has been solved and resolved by a State of Connecticut Interest Arbitration Award where the terms of the agreement are mandated and we’re bound by them. So, it’s not necessary for us to vote but I will note that on January 3, 2023 the award was issued. It’s now in effect. I’ll just say that we could talk about it for a long time; I’m not going to do that. I’m just going to say we’re very happy that we achieved our primary goal to get some relief on the unnecessary overtime from matters at the fire academy, which saves us a minimum of $188,000 per year, and have other benefits. We’re very happy with that. We’re going to work with the firefighters, talk about some other things, and move forward together and get everyone rowing in the same direction.” Mayor Hess recessed the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:19 p.m. 35. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to recess to Executive Session at 9:19 p.m. for discussion on the following: Real Estate (Parcels A, B, C, Y & Z, Naugatuck Industrial Park Section III, Breen Field, Acquisition of Land for Downtown Parking, Tax Incremental Financing District, Church Street, Maple Street, 146 Walnut Street, VNA Building, Riverview Mobile Home Estates), Contracts (Smart City/Broadband, Recycling/Anaerobic Digestion). No one was invited into executive session. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 10:12 p.m. 36. There were no matters emanating from Executive Session.  -8- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – February 7, 2023 37. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:12 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