Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES AUGUST 1, 2023 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, absent 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 DEPARTMENT HEADS: A. Bruce, Controller J. Kallipolites, IT Director J. Stewart, Public Works Director OTHERS: K. Kelley, NAC Chief, virtual P. Testa, A&E Associates E. Fitzpatrick, Borough Attorney M. Puzzo, UR Community Cares 2. Burgess Marenghi 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 July 5, 2023 and the special meetings of June 20, 2023 and July 25, 2023. 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 July. Each member received copies for review. 5. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess said the borough was awarded a $352,800 grant to extend the greenway from the Whittemore Bridge to Breen Field. Constituent Aide Shelby Lineweber resigned from the borough because she is getting married. Sean VanDeusen started yesterday as the new constituent aide. 6. Public Comment – None 7. NAC Chief Kyle Kelley gave the monthly update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC). NAC responded to four hundred fifty calls in the month of July. There were many mutual aid responses for the City of Waterbury on weekends in the morning, totaling one hundred twenty hours. NAC is looking for EMTs. Some of their employees are going back to school to pursue a higher education in various medical professions. There have been issues with some vehicles. In the fall, NAC will be using Grayhawk Revenue Services.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – August 1, 2023 8. Michelle Puzzo from UR Community Cares gave a presentation on the Connecticut Community Foundation Grant to help older and disabled adults access to volunteers to improve their quality of life. She is reaching out to the board to spread the word about the program. The program helps residents over 70 years old and/or residents over 18 years old with a disability. The volunteer will help with yard work, cleaning, a ride, etc. but does not do personal care or licensed work. It costs $100 per person which Connecticut Community Foundation funds. There is no cost to the town or the resident. Background checks are performed before connecting the resident to the volunteer. Ms. Puzzo would like Naugatuck to promote the program through social media and to refer residents. 9. Mayor Hess discussed the future of the Bank of America Building. The borough could sell the building and retain some of the parking for the borough’s use, lease the building to bring in revenue and retain some of the parking or use for municipal purposes. The old post office, the Bank of America Building and the ION Bank Building are beautiful architectural buildings. The mayor would like to do an RFP (Request for Proposals) to market the building with the old post office. He is talking to the owners of the ION Bank Building to see if they would join in the RFP to see what type of interest there is to develop the three buildings with the borough retaining some of the parking. For the record: Mayor Hess: “I just want to state for the record, ION is still considering this. The post office is definitely interested.” 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 work with the development team to put together a Request for Proposal to market the Bank of America Building together with one or more adjoining properties. 10. Mayor Hess said we received good news on Opioid Funding. The borough is part of legal proceedings with other municipalities to receive funds due to the opioid crisis. As of today, we received $102,525.52. He would like to put together a team that will determine the best way to spend the money. Youth Services, the police deprtment, a social worker and Burgess Smith and Burgess Neth-Kunin will be on the team. 11. Motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following Small Cities Grant Resolution to Replace Heat Pumps at Oak Terrace, as if read: WHEREAS, Federal monies are available under the Connecticut Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, administered by the State of Connecticut, Department of Housing pursuant to Public Law 93 -3 83, as amended; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 127c, and Part VI of Chapter 130 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Housing is authorized to disburse such Federal monies to local municipalities; and  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – August 1, 2023 WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Borough of Naugatuck make application to the State for $2,000,000.00 in order to undertake a Small Cities Community Development Program and to execute an Assistance Agreement therefore, should one be offered. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Board of Mayor and Burgesses: 1. That it is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for State Assistance imposed by Part VI of Chapter 130 of The Connecticut General Statutes; and 2. That the filing of an application by the Borough of Naugatuck in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 is hereby approved, and that the Mayor of Naugatuck is hereby authorized and directed to file such Application with the Commissioner of the Department of Housing, to provide such additional information, to execute such other documents as may be required by the Commissioner, to execute an Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for State financial assistance if such an Agreement is offered, to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of the Borough of Naugatuck. ROLL CALL VOTE: FOR OPPOSE ABSTAIN Mayor N.W. Hess J. Mizeski None None R. Neth D. Neth-Kunin M. Bronko M. Smith F. Dambowsky R. Vitale C. Marenghi Motion carried 9-0-0 12. 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 documents required to accept Small Cities Grant #SC220880A in the amount of $2,000,000 to Replace Heat Pumps at Oak Terrace. 13. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses provide all risk insurance against loss or damage to the building at 150 Meadow Street in an amount not less than 100% of the replacement value of the building, in return for a reduction of rent in the amount of $150 per month, effective August 6, 2023. 14. Motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses abate taxes on real property located at 805 Maple Hill Road in the amount of $4,758.48 as recommended by the legal department. Motion amended. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses amend the motion to reduce the amount to $3,864.88.  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – August 1, 2023 VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses abate taxes on real property located at 805 Maple Hill Road in the amount of $3,864.88 as recommended by the legal department. 15. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Public Works Director James Stewart to accept a fee in lieu of final paving from Eversource Gas in the amount of $288,558.56 for gas main work done on Southview Street & Fairview Avenue, Hotchkiss Street, Church Street, Spencer Street & Ward Street and Rubber Avenue as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart. 16. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses designate August 18, 2023 as “Never Give Up Day” in the Borough of Naugatuck. 17. 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: 2016-03-0068998 POCKETTE-POTTER, KIM M. 142 SPRING STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -19.11 2017-03-0068850 POCKETTE-POTTER, KIM M. 142 SPRING STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -135.00 2018-03-0068723 POCKETTE-POTTER, KIM M. 18 SNOW CRYSTAL ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -135.00 2019-03-0050302 ADDEO, MICHAEL P. 45 OAKDALE AVENUE WATERBURY, CT 06708 -425.26 2019-03-0068243 PETERSON, DENNIS A. 248 SPRING STREET, APT. 14 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -135.00 2019-03-0068623 POCKETTE-POTTER, KIM M. 18 SNOW CRYSTAL ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -135.00 2019-03-0069167 RAYMOND, WILLIAM C. 112 LONGVIEW TERRACE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -51.08 2020-01-0003033 PHH MORTGAGE 1661 WORTHINGTON RD., STE 100 WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409 -874.40 2020-04-0082494 GUDRIAN, MICHAELLA K. 161 ARDSLEY ROAD WATERBURY, CT 06708 -156.33 2020-04-0084647 PETERSON, DENNIS A. 248 SPRING STREET, APT. 14 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -135.00 2021-03-0052273 BLAISDELL, MICHAEL S. 137 FOX CLOSE MILFORD, CT 06461 -284.84 2021-03-0054076 CASSO, MATTHEW A. 697 BEACON VALLEY ROAD, APT. 1 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -7.04 2021-03-0060652 HONDA LEASE TRUST 11675 GREAT OAKS WAY, SUITE 200 ALPHARETTA, GA 30022 -43.94 2021-03-0062100 KHAN, ARSALAN K. 95 HILLSIDE AVENUE BRIDGEPORT, CT 06604 -394.42 2021-03-0068092 PETERSON, DENNIS A. 248 SPRING STREET, APT. 14 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -97.38 2021-03-0073326 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 1650 S PRICE ROAD, STE. 200 CHANDLER, AZ 85286 -399.33 2021-03-0073348 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 3200 WEST RAY ROAD CHANDLER, AZ 85226 -145.00 2022-01-0007466 OKO, JOHN J., JR + MARY R. 172 BLUEBIRD DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -2947.61 2022-03-0055047 CONNER, LAURALEE I. 26 HILLCREST AVENUE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -14.51 2022-03-0055048 CONNER, LAURALEE I. 26 HILLCREST AVENUE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -17.76 2022-03-0060177 HAMEL, SHIRLEY A. 5 PICTURE LANE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -73.01 2022-03-0065436 MCMAHON, MARK F. 13 HEMLOCK ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -49.40 2022-03-0068565 PETERSON, DENNIS A. 248 SPRING STREET, APT. 14 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -97.38 2022-03-0071983 SHAW, RICHARD L. 111 WOOSTER STREET, UNIT 6B NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -160.84 2022-03-0071984 SHAW, SHARON A. 111 WOOSTER STREET, # U6B NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -131.53 TOTAL -7,065.17 18. Mayor Hess discussed a Facade Improvement Program that would be patterned after the program in Torrington. The business would spend up to fifty thousand dollars to improve  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – August 1, 2023 their façade and the town would implement a forgiveness plan for half the amount. The business owner would have to comply with all aspects in the agreement, and the town would reimburse or forgive up to fifty percent of the amount spent on the improvements, which would be given over a five-year period. He is thinking we should start with the TIF District, especially Rubber Avenue, North Main Street, Spring Street and Bridge Street. Attorney Fitzpatrick will create a draft business plan for the board to review for a Façade Improvement Program in the borough. 19. Mayor Hess said they put together cost estimates for sidewalks that are in dire need of repair/replacement in the range of $200,000, which has been put aside in the budget. The town will pay for the improvements, create a priority list and incentive plan to move sidewalks up the list. We will look for and apply for grants. DPW Director Jim Stewart recommends doing sections of Central Avenue for the pilot program with concrete sidewalks and granite curbing. We will save forty thousand dollars by not doing the entire sidewalk on Central Avenue. The next area he recommends is Park Place, a section of Water Street and Cedar Street. The Connecticut Connectivity Grant gave $300,000 to $400,000 for the town sidewalk program. Cedar Street will cost $150,000 to $164,000 for granite sidewalks. Mr. Stewart recommends doing Central Avenue as soon as possible. He will go out to bid for the sections of sidewalk on Central Avenue and come back to the board to approve the bid. No discussion occurred regarding the New Sidewalk Ordinance. 20. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses add to the agenda discussion/possible action on a grant in the amount of $352,800 from DEEP Bureau of Outdoor Recreation for the Borough of Naugatuck. Mayor Hess said there is a seventeen-page document plus exhibits for a $352,800 grant to extend the greenway from the Whittemore Bridge to Breen Field. The borough will have to perform an environmental and cultural plan review of the area, survey and base line mapping, trail alignment, preliminary conceptual design, final design, permitting and cost estimates. 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 Grant Contract/Personal Service Agreement between the Borough of Naugatuck and DEEP in order to complete the scope of work set forth in the agreement in the amount of $352,800. 21. Public Comment – None 22. Mayor and Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Burgess Vitale said the Historical Society was invited to walkthrough the old Eastern Building to see if there was anything for the museum. This Friday at 6 p.m. will be a softball game between the Fire Department and the Police Department. Burgess Smith said Union City and Peter J. Foley will have their fall baseball registration. Burgess Neth Kunin reported there will be a Back to School Event on August 19th sponsored by Parent School Council on the green.  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – August 1, 2023 Burgess Marenghi congratulated the American Legion Baseball Team on winning the championships. Many scouts are attending scouting camp this week and representing Naugatuck exceptionally well. Burgess Mizeski said the Republican Town Committee didn’t nominate Town Clerk Michelle Dowling for reelection. There are petitions circulating for signatures to get her on the ballot. They will be collecting signatures Thursday at 5 p.m. at Jesse Camille’s. Burgess Dambowsky reported Julie Sampaio and her family had a fire in their home, it was not a total loss. He said NAC Chief Kyle Kelley wants to be on the Opioid Committee. Deputy Mayor Neth questioned when the splash pad would be installed. Mayor Hess said the splash pad is now in the design phase. He is hoping it will be completed by spring of next year. The Disc Golf Course will be open at the end of August. It is ten holes and rated an intermediate course. DelGobbo Field will be officially opened the end of September. The agreement with the CT Water Company is being finalized for the acquisition of the land next to DelGobbo Field. 23. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to recess to Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. for discussion on the following: Real Estate (Bank of America Building, Parcels A, B, C, Y & Z, Naugatuck Industrial Park Section III, Breen Field/Rotary Field, Acquisition of Land for Downtown Parking, Church Street Parking Study, Tax Incremental Financing District, Church Street, Maple Street, Peter Paul/Hershey Property), Collective Bargaining (Street Union, Chapter 89 Union, Chapter 90 Union, Police Dispatchers Union), Contract Negotiations (West Hill Condominiums) and Pending Litigation. No one was invited into executive session. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:30 p.m. 24. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Neth and seconded by Burgess Bronko to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:30 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