Board of Mayor and Burgesses

MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF MAYOR AND BURGESSES MARCH 20, 2025 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 special meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. with the following in attendance: BURGESSES: PRESS: R. Vitale R. Neth None M. Bronko, virtual D. Neth-Kunin F. Dambowsky, absent J. Rosenblatt K. Gallo M. Smith, virtual C. Marenghi, absent DEPARTMENT HEADS: OTHERS: K. Hanks, Fire Chief L. Wehry, IT Assistant 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 to recess to Executive Session at 6:04 p.m. for discussion on the following: Real Estate (Parcels A, B, C, Y & Z, Naugatuck Industrial Park Section III – Phase I and II, Port of Naugatuck) and Pending Litigation. No one was invited into executive session. Mayor Hess reconvened the meeting at 6:27 p.m. 4. There were no motions emanating from Executive Session. 5. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess to enter into Amendment Number One to the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the City of Waterbury and the Borough of Naugatuck for the sharing of taxes and to provide certain joint municipal functions for the development of properties in Naugatuck and Waterbury. 6. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses authorize Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess to transfer Borough of Naugatuck property to the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation, Lot 6 in Parcel A&B Subdivision, along with certain other property rights as required for the construction of the Naugatuck Railroad Station, State Project 304-022.  -2- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – March 20, 2025 7. Mayor Hess asked for feedback from the board regarding a Downtown Stabilization and Incentive Plan. He said Church Street businesses have been disrupted with the downtown utility upgrades for months. Right now, we are in the borough phase of the Downtown Project installing new sidewalks and curbing. Landlords will be increasing rents on businesses because the properties will have a higher rental value. He said we are in the process of spending down TIF Money (Tax Incremental Financing). The mayor would like the board to consider setting aside $200,000 or $300,000 of TIF money to incentivize businesses to stay in the borough, to help them stabilize and improve what they have. Some have complained about the utility work in the past. There are those with a negative impact that are going to experience a rental increase and we want to encourage them to remain in the borough. He said we would take an existing business, have them prove they are staying, and help those to some degree. Mayor Hess would like to put together a team, not just burgesses, to explore the idea. The board agreed it’s worth exploring. 8. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following municipal resolution to enter into a Master Agreement for Capital Grants under Section 5310 of the Federal Transit Act with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), as if read: WHEREAS, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is the authorized entity responsible for distributing federal funding to eligible entities in the State of Connecticut for capital procurements pursuant to Section 5310 of the Federal Transit Act, 49 U.S.C. 5310, and WHEREAS, the Borough of Naugatuck is, has interest in being, or has been, a Recipient of Section 5310 funding, 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 Borough of Naugatuck to enter into a Master Agreement for Capital Grants (Agreement No. 12.20-04(24)) under Section 5310 of the Federal Transit Act, and Approve the receipt of federal section 5310 financial assistance pursuant to Section 13b— 34(a) of the Connecticut General Statues, as revised, and Authorize Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess III, Controller Allyson Bruce, or their delegate, to execute and submit any and all documents related to the Master Agreement and Section 5310 Financial Assistance, including exhibits, insurance requirements, insurance certificates, Title VI Assurances, etc.  -3- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – March 20, 2025 ROLL CALL VOTE: FOR OPPOSE ABSTAIN Mayor N.W. Hess R. Neth None None R. Vitale D. Neth-Kunin M. Bronko J. Rosenblatt K. Gallo M. Smith Motion carried 8-0-0 9. Motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt that the Board of Mayor and Burgesses adopt the following municipal resolution in Support of the 2025 Section 5310 Grant Application, as if read: WHEREAS, Section 5310 is a federal grant program intended to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and expanding transportation mobility options. The program is administered by the State of Connecticut by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). Solicitations for grant proposals are currently open, with a due date of April 1, 2025. WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Borough of Naugatuck make an application to the Section 5310 program to acquire a new minibus, for use by Human Resource Development (HRD). 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 Section 5310 grant application with the State of Connecticut and Naugatuck Valley Council of Government for an amount no larger than $165,000 by the Director of Grants. Authorize the Mayor to execute all relevant grant documents, including any associated assistance agreements, financial assistance proposals, etc. Commit a 20% local match to the project, funded by way of Capital Reserves, if the Section 5310 grant funding is approved and received by the Borough of Naugatuck. ROLL CALL VOTE: FOR OPPOSE ABSTAIN Mayor N.W. Hess R. Neth None None R. Vitale D. Neth-Kunin M. Bronko J. Rosenblatt K. Gallo M. Smith Motion carried 8-0-0  -4- Minutes – Board of Mayor and Burgesses Special Meeting – March 20, 2025 10. VOTED: Unanimously on a motion by Deputy Mayor Vitale and seconded by Burgess Rosenblatt to adjourn the special meeting at 6:52 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