Board of Mayor and Burgesses

REVISED MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES NOVEMBER 8, 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 7:00 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: R. Vitale R. Neth A. Yilma M. Bronko D. Neth-Kunin F. Dambowsky J. Rosenblatt RESIDENTS: K. Gallo M. Smith Unable to determine due to the format C. Marenghi DEPARTMENT HEADS: J. Stewart, Public Works Director A. Bruce, Controller K. Hanks, Deputy Fire Chief OTHERS: K. Kelley, NAC Chief, virtual L. Wehry, IT Assistant E. Fitzpatrick, Borough Attorney J. Lennon, DPW Foreman S. Bronko, State Representative A. Bronko, Treasurer 2. Deputy Mayor Vitale led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess swore into office newly elected Burgesses Michael Bronko, W. Francis Dambowsky, Kimberly H. Gallo, Charles P. Marenghi, Robert A. Neth, Dorothy Neth-Kunin, Julie Rosenblatt, Meghan E. Smith and Deputy Mayor Rocky Vitale. Mayor Hess swore into office Adam M. Bronko as Treasurer. 4. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 3, 2023 and the special meetings of October 16, 2023 and October 24, 2023. Each member received copies for review. 5. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the monthly reports of October. Each member received copies for review. 6. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess said we will proceed at a normal pace acclimating the new burgesses. He congratulated everyone on the election. We will run the town like a business.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 7. Public Comment State Representative Seth Bronko congratulated the mayor and burgesses on winning their seat in the election. He looks forward to collaborating with the board for Naugatuck. 8. NAC Chief Kyle Kelley gave the monthly update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC). He congratulated everyone on the election. NAC responded to the usual call volume in October and provided mutual aid to other towns. He said a new ambulance is on order. Chief Kelley appreciates all the support the board and the community has given them. 9. Mayor Hess said the sidewalks in town are woefully inadequate and have been for a long time for many reasons. A pilot program has been set up for Town Wide Sidewalk Improvements. The pilot program will begin on Central Avenue. They will try to create a formula to move forward with replacing sidewalks in the entire town. It would be a sixteen million dollar project to do all sidewalks in town at one time. We do not have sixteen million dollars. The mayor said they would have to see how the pilot program works so they can make a recommendation for the budget next year to move forward with the program. Public Works Director Jim Stewart said he would like to start with the downtown sidewalks because of the project work that is going on at the current time. Mayor Hess said there are state grants available that can revitalize neighborhoods. The public works department will possibly be relocated with LOTCIP money to the former Risdon property. Sidewalks in that area can be replaced within this project. 10. Mayor Hess said they are working on a Facade Improvement Program for the downtown area that also includes all of Rubber Avenue, Spring Street, Bridge Street, and North Main Street. South Main Street as well which is included in the TIF District. Bonding for the TIF money was completed last month. Eighteen million dollars is in place in an account. In the next three years, the money will be spent to supplement grants\ money. An ordinance will be finalized and we will be ready to start next year. Borough Attorney Edward Fitzpatrick discussed the draft Facade Improvement Program. He said the purpose of the program is to encourage business owners and tenants to make façade improvements. There will be an application process and a committee will review the proposals. Businesses will spend money on improvements to their facade; the town would implement an incentive plan to forgive half the amount, maximum $50,000 investment. The borough will use TIF money to reimburse or forgive half of the business’ investment on their facade. 11. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses recess to the Retirement Board at 7:35 p.m. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 7:46 p.m. 12. Mayor Hess reappointed David Keller, 33 Bingham Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770, as a member of the Greater Waterbury Transit District, term to expire November 1, 2027.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 13. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Christine Yannielli, 9 Chestnut Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Conservation Commission, term to expire November 1, 2026. 14. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the reappointment of Jennifer Dupont (D), 111 Partridgetown Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a Zoning Citation Hearing Officer, term to expire November 1, 2025. 15. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the bids for contract FY24-B051 for Request for Qualifications for “Winter Snow Plowing, Sanding & Snow Removal” to the following vendors as per bid as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart, as if read: Big K’s Landscaping LLC S&S Asphalt Paving, Inc. P.O. Box 756 P.O. Box 429 Naugatuck, CT 06770 Southbury, CT 06488 Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. 16. Mayor Hess said they are going to start building roads in Section 3 in the Naugatuck Industrial Park, the former Uniroyal Property, to create a new industrial park. The property will be divided into nine separate building lots for industrial sites. The road construction will begin now and the road in Phase I should be finished by this time next year. We submitted RFPs and RFQs. O&G Industries was selected as the construction manager. Joe Vitro will be the project manager. The borough worked with Mr. Vitro on the high school renovation project. The mayor is very comfortable with O&G being on our team for this project. This is a complicated project because we have to comply with the DPA Soil Management Plan. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to enter into an AIA Document A133 standard form agreement between Owner and Construction Manager with O&G Industries subject to final approval by the borough attorney, the cost of the preconstruction services will not exceed $275,000 and the rest of the work will be paid in accordance with the rates listed in the agreement. M. Smith opposed. For the record: Burgess Smith: “I just wanted the opportunity to review it before we submitted the final documentation.”  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 17. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following Municipal Resolution in Support of FY24 EPA Brownfield Community Wide Assessment Grant, as if read: WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released a request for applications (RFA) (EPA-OLEM-OBLR-23-12), anticipating the award of 60 community-wide assessment grants in FY 24 with an estimated total of $30 million dollars in funding available, and WHEREAS, the RFA provides a unique opportunity for the Borough to pursue the assessment, investigation, and site-reuse planning relative to several parcels within the Borough, with no matching funds required for such an application or potential award, and WHEREAS, the RFA provides a unique opportunity to undertake such activities on both private and publicly owned land for the purposes of promoting public health & the environment, and WHEREAS, Borough staff have identified four sites of interest for the application, including Parcels Y & Z, the Former Lewis Engineering Site, and the Former Hershey Property, and WHEREAS, the Borough has been working in collaboration with the University of Connecticut to develop such a grant application and the University of Connecticut oversees the EPA Region 1’s Technical Assistance for Brownfields Program (TAB) for Municipalities, and WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Borough of Naugatuck make an application to the USEPA for an amount no greater than $500,000, and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Borough of Naugatuck’s Code of Ordinances, the legislative power and authority of the Borough is vested in the Mayor and Board of Burgesses: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF BURGESSES OF THE BOROUGH OF NAUGATUCK HEREBY: Approve the completion and filing of a Community Wide Brownfield Assessment Grant to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for an amount no larger than $500,000. This project will leverage significant Private, Federal, and Local funds, as detailed in the grant application. ROLL CALL VOTE: FOR OPPOSE ABSTAIN Mayor N.W. Hess C. Marenghi None None R. Vitale R. Neth M. Bronko D. Neth-Kunin F. Dambowsky J. Rosenblatt K. Gallo M. Smith Motion carried 10-0-0  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 18. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Blanket Resolution as recommended by W. Francis Dambowsky, Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, as if read: RESOLVED, that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and FURTHER RESOLVED, that N. Warren "Pete" Hess, as Mayor of the Borough of Naugatuck, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Board of Mayor and Burgesses and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents. ROLL CALL VOTE: FOR OPPOSE ABSTAIN Mayor N.W. Hess R. Neth None F. Dambowsky R. Vitale D. Neth-Kunin M. Bronko J. Rosenblatt K. Gallo M. Smith C. Marenghi Motion carried 9-0-1 19. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses refer to the Joint Boards of Mayor and Burgesses and Board of Finance the end of year transfers for the 2022/2023 Budget as recommended by Controller Allyson W. Bruce. 20. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt 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 2017-01-0009630 SORRENTINO, VERONICA 70 CELENTANO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -145.04 2018-01-0009607 SORRENTINO, VERONICA 70 CELENTANO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -141.76 2019-01-0009606 SORRENTINO, VERONICA 70 CELENTANO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.24 2020-01-0009700 SORRENTINO, VERONICA 70 CELENTANO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.24 2020-03-0071333 SOMOHANO, FRANK C., JR. 28 HAZEL AVENUE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -831.97 2021-01-0009700 SORRENTINO, VERONICA 70 CELENTANO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.24 2021-03-0055727 DANIEL, KOLADE A. 22 RED ROBIN ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -21.90  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 2021-03-0073339 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 3200 WEST RAY ROAD CHANDLER, AZ 85226 -1,010.16 2022-02-0040370 DLUGOKECKI, FREDERICK A. 175 CHURCH STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -699.00 2022-02-0041266 TOMO RESTAURANT 174 PROSPECT STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -1,120.28 2022-02-0041364 WELLMORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 141 EAST MAIN ST. 4TH FL. WATERBURY, CT 06702 -668.12 2022-03-0050120 ACAR LEASING LTD 4001 EMBARCADERO DRIVE ARLINGTON, TX 76014 -431.50 2022-03-0053243 BUCKO, MARYELLEN 151 ANDREW AVE. APT. 154 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -71.86 2022-03-0055381 CRAFT, GARY R. 110 WALNUT STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -124.53 2022-03-0055694 CYR, NICOLE 55 PORTER AVE. APT. 6C NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -16.26 2022-03-0056237 DEGEORGE, LISA J. 53 CONRAD ST. APT. 12C NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -22.40 11675 GREAT OAKS WY SUITE 200 2022-03-0060996 HONDA LEASE TRUST ALPHARETTA, GA 30022 -324.18 2022-03-0062056 JP MORGAN CHASE BANK NA P.O. BOX 901098 FORT WORTH, TX 76101 -279.26 2022-03-0063340 LAWLOR, JODY M. 355 WOOSTER STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -99.59 2022-03-0071548 SCATENA, TIFFANY E. 174 BEACON MANOR ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -9.00 2022-03-0071596 SCHENCK, DANIEL A. 89 CELANTANO DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -7.17 2022-03-0072236 SILVA RIO, MARIA D. 279 OAKVILLE AVE. APT. A8 WATERBURY, CT 06708 -196.55 2022-03-0073963 TOSCANO, JAMES M. 104 BUNCE ROAD WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109 -32.46 2022-03-0074032 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 3200 WEST RAY ROAD CHANDLER, AZ 85226 -871.56 2022-03-0074042 TOYOTA LEASE TRUST 3200 WEST RAY ROAD CHANDLER, AZ 85226 -62.68 2022-03-0074624 VAULT TRUST 500 WOODWARD AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48226 -365.64 2022-03-0074627 VAULT TRUST 500 WOODWARD AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48226 -1,012.63 2022-03-0074635 VAULT TRUST 500 WOODWARD AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48226 -89.46 2022-03-0074644 VAULT TRUST 500 WOODWARD AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48226 -260.84 2022-03-0074649 VAULT TRUST 500 WOODWARD AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48226 -620.80 2022-03-0074672 VCFS AUTO LEASING CO. 1800 VOLVO PLACE MAHWAH, NJ 07430 -643.02 TOTAL -10,609.34 21. Public Comment – Agenda Items – None 22. Mayor and Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Burgess Gallo said she and Burgess Rosenblatt went with the mayor to a trades union meeting. There were three meetings on trades and curriculum was developed. She said that is lightning speed for new curriculum. The high school principal and the adult education director were very excited about the idea; they recruited students to the program, which will start on January 22, 2024. Burgess Marenghi congratulated Burgess Gallo and Burgess Rosenblatt for their work on the trades curriculum project. He said having curriculum designed toward trades instead of just college is outstanding. There is a shortage of talent in the trades. New curriculum does not happen at the speed in which this program did, kudos. For the record: “First of all, I want to notice there is someone absent at our table. I just want to recognize and thank Jan Mizeski for his four years of service to this board and to this town. Fidelity, going to all the meetings, all the committees he was on, even when he was in dire health situations. The man was a true public servant and I just like to have it on the record that I salute him for everything he did for this town, for everything he did for this board. I hope that he finds a new adventure to go on and pick up and make good things happen here in town.” Burgess  -7- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 Marenghi thinks it’s fantastic that there are four female burgesses sitting on the board. Burgess Bronko congratulated the mayor on winning the election last night. He looks forward to the next two years. Burgess Rosenblatt said she is looking forward to working on the trades education project. She works with Adult Education students. They need a reason to move forward with a career because college is not for everyone. Burgess Smith congratulated everyone. She asked about the three agenda items that were tabled at the October meeting. Burgess Neth Kunin congratulated everyone on the election. She would like to continue to be the liaison to the Board of Education. Mayor Hess said everyone should submit their requests to be liaison to boards and/or commissions. Burgess Dambowsky congratulated everyone. He said this Saturday is the reason why we have the right to vote. Step off for the Veterans Day Parade will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. On November 18th at 6 p.m. there will be a vigil held to remember Baby Camilla. Donations will be taken to go to the Fairfield County Trauma Response Team. This team came to Naugatuck to hold group and one on one sessions with first responders after the murder of Baby Camilla. Burgess Neth said he dittos Burgess Marenghi’s comments about Jan Mizeski. He is going to be missed. He is a good guy and was a good member. Burgess Neth said when we sit together on this board; we are team Naugatuck not the separate parties we ran on. He is extremely honored to be sitting on the board for his fourteenth term. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Deputy Mayor Vitale said he misses his buddy, Jan Mizeski. John DeBisschop will be recognized at the Crystal Room on Tuesday the 28th. Linda Ramos will be holding a toy drive on Friday the 24th at the Loaded Goat from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Happy Thanksgiving. Mayor Hess said he will be selecting the recipient of the Franklin Johnson Award soon. He is looking for a volunteer to be part of the UR Community Cares Program. Burgess Smith volunteered. 23. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to recess to Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. for discussion on the following: Real Estate (Parcels A, B, C, Y & Z, Naugatuck Industrial Park Section III, Acquisition of Land for Downtown Parking, 30 Church Street, Tax Incremental Financing District, Church Street, Maple Street, Peter Paul/Hershey Property, Sale of Lot #3 in Industrial Park on Great Hill Road, Parcel #0748952.), Collective Bargaining (Chapter 89 Union, Police Dispatchers Union) and Pending Litigation. No one was invited into executive session. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:11 p.m. 24. There were no motions emanating from Executive Session.  -8- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – November 8, 2023 25. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:11 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 Minutes revised to correct a typographical error in item #20.