Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES AUGUST 6, 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 7:04 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: R. Vitale R. Neth A. Yilma M. Bronko D. Neth-Kunin F. Dambowsky, virtual J. Rosenblatt, arr. 7:10 p.m. RESIDENTS: K. Gallo, arr. 7:10 p.m. M. Smith Unable to determine due to the format C. Marenghi DEPARTMENT HEADS: J. Stewart, Public Works Director J. Kallipolites, IT Director C. McAllister, Chief of Police K. Hanks, Fire Chief A. Bruce, Controller OTHERS: J. Mizeski, Former Burgess, virtual K. Kelley, NAC Chief J. Lennon, DPW Foreman W. Seaman, Assistant Fire Chief M. Cohen, Serviam Solutions LLC 2. Burgess Robert Neth led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the minutes of the regular meetings of June 4, 2024 and July 2, 2024 and the special meetings of May 15, 2024 and June 4, 2024. Each member received copies for review. Burgess Gallo and Burgess Rosenblatt were not present for the vote. 4. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the monthly reports of July. Each member received copies for review. Burgess Gallo and Burgess Rosenblatt were not present for the vote. 5. Mayor’s Opening Comments Mayor Hess discussed land abutting Gunntown Passive Park. A map was shown of the area. He said we previously expanded Gunntown Park and also acquired land through foreclosure at the top of Andrew Mountain Road which is currently being used by Sunset Farms. He discussed subdividing the land between the two aforementioned properties. All the land is passive open space. Lot #1 is 45 acres that the borough will buy by acquiring an open space grant. Lot #2 is sixty acres that the YMCA intends on purchasing. Lot #3 will be retained by the Wilmots. Mission 22 Trail will be on borough property for the first time with the purchase of Lot #1. Plans were submitted to the Planning Commission for subdivision approval.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024 Burgess Gallo and Burgess Rosenblatt arrived 7:10 p.m. 6. Public Comment A representative from Troop 102 spoke to the board about the Harvest Moon Festival and the construction happening on the green. He also asked if the town would help supply insurance for them to hold the festival. 7. NAC Chief Kyle Kelley gave the monthly update on the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps (NAC). The second paramedic started on Sunday. In July of 2020, there were forty calls for service in Naugatuck that had to be covered by other towns. This July there were three calls for service because NAC was overwhelmed with calls. NAC helped other towns thirty- three times last month. Chief Kelley thanked the town for their support. 8. Mayor Hess said there used to be a park off of Pond Street called “Indian Rock”. It once was a park with swing sets and picnic tables. Legend has it that Native Americans had an arrowhead manufacturing facility there. He thinks one of the reasons why it lost its way is the house at 8 Pond Street. The house was always messy and has structural issues. It is set to be demolished in September. The mayor said the borough intends on cleaning the area, sprucing it up and making it into a small park with picnic tables. 9. Mayor Hess said the Amazon Project is moving ahead. They are reaching out to neighbors in the vicinity of the project. There will be meetings with the neighbors to discuss the modified plans. The land use process will begin in September of 2024. 10. Mayor Hess said he is going to compile a detailed plan in writing on the Borough of Naugatuck Development Plans. There are a lot of projects with a lot of moving parts. Changes are happening every day. He said there is a lot of action. He will distribute the plan to the burgesses, to social media, the library and the borough website. For the record: Burgess Gallo: “None of our developers have walked away. It’s just a favorite thing that folks like to say when they want to say how bad things are in town. I’m just saying it out loud so you can say it out loud because these stupid rumors get repeated a lot. Mostly by people that know they’re false.” 11. Mayor Hess said there are Historical Borough Photographs hanging on the walls in the Hall of Burgesses. When Teresa Forish from the Historical Society was at the meeting last month, she noticed the pictures, especially pictures of Mr. Whittemore and Mr. Tuttle. She feels it would be more appropriate having them in the Tuttle House instead of town hall. No one on the board had objections to the pictures being removed and rehung in the Tuttle House. 12. 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 employment agreement with Kenneth Hanks for the position of Fire Chief for the term of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024 13. 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 Erich Reichert (D), 67 Heritage Drive, Naugatuck, CT 06770 as a regular member of the Board of Finance, filling the unexpired term of K. Hanks, term to expire June 1, 2025. 14. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following Municipal Resolution to Accept Funding and Enter into a Grant Agreement – Downtown Remediation Project, as if read: WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”) has awarded the Borough of Naugatuck $1,375,000 for its Downtown Remediation Project at Parcel B under their Round 18 Municipal Brownfield Solicitation, and WHEREAS, the proposed uses for such funds are for soil management activities (relocation, excavation), payment of LEP, and other remedial expenses at Parcel B Phase I, 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: 1. Accept the award of $1,375,000 from the State of Connecticut DECD, and 2. Authorize Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess, III (or his designee) to execute and submit any and all contract documents, including but not limited to a Financial Assistance Proposal and Grant Assistance Agreement. 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 15. Fire Chief Kenneth Hanks, Chief of Police Colin McAllister and Matthew Cohen a consultant from Serviam Solutions gave a presentation on the Public Safety Radio System in Naugatuck. Mr. Cohen did a study of the borough’s radio system and dispatch centers. There are three dispatch centers in Naugatuck, two are Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with trained and certified personnel. Currently when a 911 call comes into the police dispatch, which is the primary dispatch, it has to be transferred to the appropriate  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024 department. Mr. Cohen said there are three options to address the needs of the borough. The first option is to leave everything as it is which would not be feasible. The portable radios are outdated and out of vendor support. The second option is to forklift the existing infrastructure which is essentially replacing the equipment. The police department, fire department and EMS are unable to communicate with each other. This would still not allow all departments to communicate with each other. The third option is to build on an existing trunked radio system, to join the state system. EMS is currently on the state system. Naugatuck EMS and the City of Waterbury are on the trunked system. It would be beneficial for the borough to reach an agreement with them to share the cost of the system. Chief Hanks said the benefit of going into the state system is that Police, Fire, EMS, DPW, Fire Police, Safety Patrol and CERT would all be able to communicate with each other. Network monitoring is provided by the state 24/7. 16. 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 non-binding memorandum of agreement with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications to conduct an engineering survey for the borough to become part of the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network. 17. Mr. Cohen continued discussing the second part of the study regarding the current dispatch centers in Naugatuck. He looked at the infrastructure, call processing, technology and end of life dates at the dispatch centers. The fire department is not recognized as a PSAP system. All calls come through the police department which is a PSAP system. The police department then has to determine which location to send the call and relay the information given at the time of the call. A lot has to be done to bring the technology up to date. If the borough was on the state system, Northwest Public Safety would be the one to determine the call and dispatch. Burgess Neth said the dispatch centers should be consolidated into one dispatch center. Mayor Hess agreed. Mayor Hess appointed Deputy Mayor Rocky Vitale and Burgess Robert Neth to work with Chief of Police Colin McAllister, Fire Chief Kenneth Hanks, NAC Chief Kyle Kelley and Serviam Solutions Consultant Matthew Cohen on the direction of the Naugatuck Dispatch Centers. 18. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the following purchase and authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents with Anthony Boucher, DBA A&J Generator and Equipment LLC, 33 Sagamore Drive, Seymour, CT 06770 as sole source for the replacement, installation and maintenance of the electrical power generator located at the Naugatuck Police Department as recommended by Chief of Police Colin McAllister. Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. Motion withdrawn.  -5- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024 VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the following purchase and authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents with Anthony Boucher, DBA A&J Generator and Equipment LLC, 33 Sagamore Drive, Seymour, CT 06770 as sole source for the replacement, installation and maintenance of the electrical power generator located at the Naugatuck Police Department in the amount of $410,842.00 as recommended by Chief of Police Colin McAllister. Contracts shall commence upon vendor completing all borough requirements and the purchase order is received by vendor. Burgess Rosenblatt left 8:26 p.m. 19. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses recess to the Retirement Board at 8:26 p.m. Burgess Rosenblatt was not present for the vote. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Burgess Rosenblatt returned 8:30 p.m. 20. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Bronko that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the bid for contract FY25-B071 for the “Purchase of Golf Carts and Annual Service Contract” to New England Golf Carts, Inc., 62 Industrial Way, Seekonk, MA 02771 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. 21. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Public Works Director James Stewart to accept a Fee in Lieu of Final Paving from the Connecticut Water Company in the amount of $188,600.00 for the repaving of Church Street from Division Street to Water Street and Water Street from Maple Street to Church Street. The Connecticut Water Company will be responsible to repair all roads and sidewalks on state roads. 22. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses approve the revised design of the Town Green Granite Sign Panel “WELCOME TO HISTORIC DOWNTOWN NAUGATUCK INCORPORATED 1844” as recommended by Public Works Director James Stewart. Motion withdrawn.  -6- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024 23. 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 a transfer request of $500,000 from the FY 2023 Surplus to the Capital Funds as recommended by Controller Allyson W. Bruce. 24. 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 waive bids for the Installation and Repair of Inlaid Thermoplastic Cross Walks. 25. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses waive the bid and authorize Mayor Hess to execute all contracts and related documents for the Installation and Repair of Inlaid Thermoplastic Cross Walks to Rocco Iadarola General Contracting Company, 176 Pinehurst Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06705 at the supplied 2024 labor and equipment rates. 26. 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 103 ANDREW MOUNTAIN ROAD 2020-01-0000926 BENDZIUNAS, STEVEN NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.26 103 ANDREW MOUNTAIN ROAD 2021-01-0000926 BENDZIUNAS, STEVEN NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -143.26 2021-03-0075175 ZAPATKA, VIRGINIA L. 88 AIRCRAFT ROAD WEST HAVEN, CT 06516 -89.17 103 ANDREW MOUNTAIN ROAD 2022-01-0000946 BENDZIUNAS, STEVEN NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -134.24 2022-03-0060686 HESS, NEWMAN W., 3RD 60 MISTYWOOD LANE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -28.76 2022-03-0062076 JP MORGAN CHASE BANK NA P.O. BOX 901098 FORT WORTH, TX 76101 -414.52 2022-03-0071976 SHAW, EFFIE H. 199 AETNA STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -156.17 2023-01-0000040 26 HOTCHKISS P&A LLC 26 HOTCHKISS STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -183.19 2023-01-0004061 GOESSINGER, RICHARD H., JR. 438 ROOSEVELT DRIVE OXFORD, CT 06478 -3,433.64 2023-01-0008753 ROOPCHAN, DEVENDRA + 99 EAST SIDE BOULEVARD WATERBURY, CT 06706 -1,368.00 2023-03-0056182 DEGEORGE, LISA J. 53 CONRAD STREET, APT. 12C NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -13.63 653 ANDREW MOUNTAIN ROAD 2023-03-0056887 DOODY, CAROL A. NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -20.78 2023-03-0057937 FELICIANO, LOURDES E. 27 FIELDSTONE TERRACE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -47.56 2023-03-0058888 GARCIA DOS SANTO, CLAUDIA 22 OAK STREET, APT. 1 NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -10.81 2023-03-0059929 GUAMAN, MAINATO RAFAEL 91 CLIFF STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -69.21 2023-03-0062330 KEAN, DOLORES G. 776 NEW HAVEN ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -53.56 2023-03-0062965 KUZMECH, JOHN M. 499 HORTON HILL ROAD NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -29.86 2023-03-0064189 LUZIO, MANUEL 17 THUNDERBIRD DRIVE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -32.17 2023-03-0064285 MACAULAY, DENNIS A. 25 SWEENEY STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -33.44 2023-03-0066251 MOON, CHRISTOPHER J. 26 LONGVIEW TERRACE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -36.68 2023-03-0066484 MOTASKY, HOLLY P. 140 FIELDSTONE TERRACE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -88.75  -7- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses – Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024 2023-03-0068695 PETTEWAY, GILBERT 71 OSBORN ROAD, 4N NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -16.23 2023-03-0071249 SALTER, NICK L. 285 N MAIN STREET NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -70.80 2023-03-0071562 SANTOS-DEMELO, DAMIAO 9 LEWIS CIRCLE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -187.62 2023-03-0071563 SANTOS-DEMELO, DAMIAO 9 LEWIS CIRCLE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -219.44 2023-03-0071564 SANTOS-DEMELO, DAMIAO 9 LEWIS CIRCLE NAUGATUCK, CT 06770 -405.76 2023-03-0074454 TUREK, ROBERT H. 145 SUMMER HILL ROAD MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 -18.14 TOTAL -7,448.65 Mayor Hess abstained. 27. Public Comment – Agenda Items – None 28. Mayor and Burgess Comments/Sub-Committee Reports Deputy Mayor Vitale said there is water seeping through the wall where the mural is going. He wished Burgess Gallo a Happy Birthday. Burgess Rosenblatt reported there are twenty-four spots next year for the Trades Program at the high school. In the spring there will be an information session for members of the public. She thanked DPW Foreman Jeremy Lennon for installing a walk way for handicapped individuals entering the high school from the parking lot. Assistant Fire Chief Seaman said for the first time there will be a Firefighter Program and EMT Program at the high school. Burgess Gallo said there will be an ecosystem at the golf course to eat bugs without the use of chemicals. She hopes high school students can be involved. Burgess Neth said Joe Malay was an outstanding employee for over thirty years at the golf course. Burgess Dambowsky wished Burgess Gallo a Happy Birthday. 29. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to recess to Executive Session at 8:54 p.m. for discussion on the following: Real Estate (Parcels A, B, C, Y & Z, Naugatuck Industrial Park Section III, Riverview Mobile Home Park, Hershey Property), Personnel (Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief) and Pending Litigation inviting in Fire Chief Kenneth Hanks. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 9:26 p.m. 30. There were no motions emanating from Executive Session. 31. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:26 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