Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES JANUARY 2, 2024 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 J. Kallipolites, IT Director K. Hanks, Deputy Fire Chief, virtual A. Bruce, Controller C. McAllister, Police Chief D. Norck, Deputy Police Chief OTHERS: K. Kelley, NAC Chief, virtual J. Lennon, DPW Foreman E. Fitzpatrick, Borough Attorney A. Jones, Arts Commission M. Conway, RiseUp for Arts, virtual G. Spring, Arts Commission E. Kausyla, UPSEU Vice President 2. Burgess Kimberly Gallo led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. 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 December 5, 2023 and the special meeting of November 30, 2023. Each member received copies for review. 4. 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 December. Each member received copies for review. 5. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess wished everyone a Happy New Year. He said there are many great things going on in the borough. It is going to be a great year. 6. Public Comment – None 7. NAC Chief Kyle Kelley gave the monthly update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC). He said 2023 was a notable year. They responded to over five thousand calls. Saturday is the busiest day and noontime is the busiest hour. They are responding to many mutual aid requests. Most of the calls are Medicare and Medicaid. They do not pay rates  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – January 2, 2024 like private insurance. He said without the borough’s help, they would not be able to do what they do. Thank you. 8. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to enter into an agreement with RiseUp For Arts to design and paint a mural at the intersection of Water Street and Maple Street in an amount not to exceed $30,000, as approved by the borough attorney. 9. Mayor Hess gave an update on the Downtown Development Projects. He is going to keep the topic as a regular agenda item so there can be a public discussion regarding any aspect of our ongoing projects. Six separate independent projects are starting simultaneously. The DOT Train Station Platform Relocation, the Pennrose Parcel B Project, the Corvus Parcel A Project, the Church Street/Maple Street Project that provides the infrastructure for the other projects, the Old Firehouse Road and new Water Street/Rubber Avenue which we call the Downtown Hub Project and the Rubber Avenue LOTCIP Project. Mayor Hess will create a written outline of all the projects for the next meeting. He thinks more public discussion on the projects is a good thing. 10. Mayor Hess said Townwide Stormwater Management is a huge problem in most towns. There are older sections in the borough that are not part of our stormwater system. The town has been receiving many calls regarding fifteen to twenty situations. Public Works Director Jim Stewart said basements are flooding and backyards are full of water. On Damson Lane especially from Hilltop Road, swales were put in backyards and water runs down the driveways. Over the years, swales were removed or not maintained. The property owner has no option to tag into piping if the swale was removed. There is no drainage in the road. Homestead Avenue is another example. Houses were built on a swamp, low area in the backyards. There is no drainage. Backyards flood, basements fill with feet of water not inches. The town cannot fix it without going onto private property. Mayor Hess said we are working on fixing the Charles Street area with a Small Cities Grant. The borough is working on trying to obtain a grant to fix Nettleton Avenue. There are issues where people do not have the ability to fix the problem themselves. Mr. Stewart said one option on Damson Lane is for the town to put drainage in the road and the homeowner will have to hook into it. Mayor Hess said he brought this to the board for discussion. Water issues are different for each area. There has been an unprecedented amount of rain this year. 11. Public Works Director James Stewart discussed Townwide Sidewalk Improvements. He created a five to six year draft plan. If we get the CIF Grant, it will cover a portion of Scott Street. In year one, we will be working on Central Avenue. In year two, he is proposing to go to Cedar Street and Water Street down to Lewis Engineering. He applied for a Pedestrian Connectivity Grant that will be used for Church Street and Cedar Street. Downtown Improvements will help cover Park Place, Oak Street up to City Hill Street where sidewalks where done years ago. The following year Scott Street, Cherry Street to Arch Street and Pond Street. The next year all of Fairview Avenue and Terrace Avenue. Scott Street will be done in two years. Cost is the factor on which sidewalks will be done. The plan will be tweaked continuously. If we do not get the CIF Grant, he has a modified plan on which sidewalks will be done in which year.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 2, 2024 12. Attorney Edward Fitzpatrick discussed the Facade Improvement Program. The program is to encourage commercial improvements to storefronts. Business owners or their tenants apply for the program. All businesses within the TIF District can apply, which includes Church Street, Rubber Avenue, North Main Street, Bridge Street and south Spring Street between Bridge Street and Diamond Street. If approved, they would receive up to fifty percent reimbursement over five years for money spent on facade improvements. The program will reimburse one-half of the total amount expended, not to exceed $25,000, which will be funded by TIF Funds. He said towns adopt a facade improvement program in various ways. He recommends adopting a policy. It is easier to make changes. The board will need to set an amount to start the program. Discussion tabled. Subsequent motion is item #24. 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 Kuczenski (D), 310 North Hoadley Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, term to expire January 1, 2027. 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 Mary Lou Sharon, 228 Lewis Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Conservation Commission, term to expire November 1, 2025. 15. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the appointment of Jan J. Mizeski, 106 Woodbine Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a member of the Park Commission, filling the unexpired term of L. Ramos, term to expire June 1, 2025. 16. Mayor Hess appointed Anthony Jones, 196 Field Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member to the Arts Commission, filling the unexpired term of J. Dambowsky, term to expire April 1, 2024. 17. Mayor Hess appointed Gary Spring, 55 North Hoadley Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member to the Arts Commission, filling the unexpired term of V. Doty, term to expire April 1, 2024. 18. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to sign a design agreement with Jacunski Humes Architects LLC, 15 Massirio Drive, Suite 101, Berlin, CT 06037 for “Schematic Design/Cost Estimating for a New Central Dispatch Facility at the Naugatuck Police Department” as recommended by the Standing Building Committee.  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – January 2, 2024 19. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses waive the bid for the “PCB Remediation of the Gymnasium Floor at the Recreation Building, 607 Rubber Avenue aka Armory” and award the work to Spectrum Environmental LLC, 16 Hamilton Street, West Haven, CT 06516 in the amount of $37,320.08, subject to final approval of Travelers insurance claim. 20. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses waive the bid for the “Replacement of the of the Gymnasium Floor at the Recreation Building, 607 Rubber Avenue aka Armory” and award the work to Gugliotti Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 352, Plantsville, CT, 06479 in the amount of $142,000, subject to final approval of Travelers insurance claim. 21. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the bid for contract FY24-B063 for “Bituminous Surface Treatments, Crack Sealing” to Sealcoating, Inc. d/b/a indus, 825 Granite Street, Braintree, MA 02184 as per bid as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart. Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. 22. 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 2019-03-0066776 NISSAN INFINITI LT P.O. BOX 254648 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865 -508.96 2019-04-0083084 NISSAN INFINITI LT P.O. BOX 254648 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865 -130.64 2020-01-0007084 MULLIGAN, JOAN L. 30-6 ROUND TREE DR. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -501.38 2020-03-0066128 NISSAN INFINITI LT P.O. BOX 254648 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865 -743.40 2021-03-0066660 NISSAN INFINITI LT LLC P.O. BOX 254648 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865 -632.32 2021-04-0083921 RICHARDS, GORDON W. 71 OSBORN RD., APT. 5T NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -25.58 2022-03-0054318 CCAP AUTO LEASE LTD P.O. BOX 961272 FT WORTH, TX 76161 -642.94 2022-03-0055493 CROTEAU, PAUL W. 9 BLUEBIRD DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -20.96 2022-03-0056765 DIMA, BARRY N. 2853 TAYWOOD MDWS. SARASOTA, FL 34235 -92.08 2022-03-0056924 DONALD, TAYLOR N. 50 LINCOLN STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -280.46 2022-03-0058211 FINANCIAL SER VEH TRUST 5550 BRITTON PKWY. HILLIARD, OH 43026 -644.64 2022-03-0061275 HYUNDAI LEASE TITLING TRUST 4100 WILDWOOD PARKWAY ATLANTA, GA 30339 -510.51 2022-03-0063851 LOPES, AUGUSTO A. 133 LONGVIEW TERRACE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -33.43  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – January 2, 2024 2022-03-0067125 NISSAN INFINITI LT LLC P.O. BOX 254648 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865 -256.74 2022-03-0067150 NISSAN INFINITI LT LLC P.O. BOX 254648 SACRAMENTO, CA 95865 -391.11 TOTAL -5,415.15 23. Public Comment – Agenda Items – None 24. Motion from tabled item #12. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses implement a Facade and Building Improvement Program Policy as prepared by Attorney Fitzpatrick and as modified this evening in the paragraph on program priorities, as well as the deletion of a paragraph on eligible interior improvements and the reference to interior improvements as ineligible. 25. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses add to the agenda Burgess Liaison appointments. 26. Mayor Hess made the following Burgess Liaison appointments, as if read, including that Burgess Bronko will be the LEPC/NEMAC representative: Deputy Mayor R. Vitale Fire Commission, Park Commission, Police Commission Burgess M. Bronko LEPC/NEMAC Burgess F. Dambowsky WPCA, Zoning Commission Burgess K. Gallo BOE, Elderly Commission, Golf Commission Burgess C. Marenghi Arts Commission, Fair Rent Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission, Riverwalk Burgess R. Neth Finance Board, HRD, Park Commission Burgess D. Neth-Kunin BOE, Elderly Commission, Planning Commission, Police Commission Burgess J. Rosenblatt Day Care Board, Elderly Commission, Housing Authority Burgess M. Smith Elderly Commission, Park Commission, Police Commission 27. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses add to the agenda a motion to approve the bid for the “Downtown Community Connectivity Bike and Pedestrian Improvements”. 28. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the bid for contract FY24-B065 for the “Downtown Community Connectivity Bike and Pedestrian Improvements” to Priority Landscaping LLC, 258 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT 06804 in the amount of $391,017.00 for the base bid and $112,777.00 for the add alternate. The add alternate work shall be subject to additional funding made available in the FY25 Budget, as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart.  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 2, 2024 29. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses add to the agenda a motion to approve a change order to a contract for the skateboard park. 30. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve a change order to the contract with Rampage LLC, 108 Boswell Street, Stratford, CT 06615 for an additional $15,000 that is in the budget for “Extra Poured Concrete at the Skateboard Park”. 31. Mayor and Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Burgess Marenghi is looking forward to seeing which bands will be playing in the summer concert series. There will be an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Timothy Gairing on January 19th, 6 p.m. at the Congregational Church. He fixed the storage shed at Union City Little League field. Only four percent of kids who go into scouting make it to the rank of Eagle Scout, an elite group. Burgess Rosenblatt attended the Naugatuck Housing Authority meeting. There is a need for elderly housing. She attended the Senior Center Christmas party. The trades program at the high school should begin January 24th. Burgess Smith attended the first mural project collaboration meeting with Burgess Gallo, Burgess Neth-Kunin, Burgess Rosenblatt, student Alex Caruso and RiseUp for Arts. It was a good exchange of ideas. They will file the encroachment application to the state. Burgess Neth-Kunin attended her first Police Commission meeting as a liaison. She thought it was very nice commissioners read aloud letters written with positive comments about police personnel. Burgess Dambowsky submitted an after action report and plan to the state for emergencies. Deputy Mayor Vitale reported that the Exchange Club will hold a pasta dinner on the 16th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Lewis A. Dibble Award Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 24th at The Aria honoring Attorney Edward Fitzpatrick. 32. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to recess to Executive Session at 8:47 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, 238 Water Street, Laurel Park Landfill/Solar Project, Amazon Project, Former Recycling Center – Rubber Avenue/Ferrari Appliances), Collective Bargaining (Chapter 89 Union) and Pending Litigation. No one was invited into executive session. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:13 p.m. 33. The following motion emanated from Executive Session.  -7- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – January 2, 2024 VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor Hess to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with UPSEU, Local 424 – Unit 15, White Collar for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 in accordance with the tentative agreement that was discussed in executive session. 34. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:15 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