Legislative Council

3 PRIMROSE STREET NEWTOWN, CT 06470 TEL. (203) 270-4201 FAX (203) 270-4205 www.newtown-ct.gov P LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 20, 2018 NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL CENTER, NEWTOWN, CT MINUTES PRESENT: Chris Eide (7:35 pm), Jordana Bloom, Judit DeStefano, Ryan Knapp, Dan Wiedemann, Paul Lundquist, Phil Carroll, Kelley Johnson, Jay Mattegat. ABSENT: Chris Smith, Robert Pickard, Dan Honan. ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, Finance Director Bob Tait, Chief of Police James Viadero, Newtown Forest Association Bart Smith. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Lundquist called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:31 pm. VOTER COMMENT: None. MINUTES: MR. CARROLL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 6, 2018 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY MR. WIEDEMANN. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (8-0) COMMUNICATIONS: Newtown Center for Support & Wellness Working Towards a Healthy Community issue. (Attached) COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ordinance Committee – Mr. Knapp reported that the committee met last week and is pretty close on the fracking waste ordinance, long discussion on the plastic bag ordinance, and will meet again in the next couple of weeks. FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT Storm Clean-up - Mr. Rosenthal said that clean-up efforts continue and he is following the progress, crews working with subcontractors, Lakeview Terrace area, still more work to be done, brush should be put to the curb by June 22 for pick up. Lakeview Terrace area may take longer, maybe another 2 weeks. Working on securing the former BlueLinx property to stage material. Roads – Mr. Rosenthal said that Mr. Hurley gave a proposed road list, try to make the road money go farther, extend the life before losing the road base, evaluating bringing back chip sealing, cost effective way to extend the life of the road, maybe 10-12 years. For comparison, last year 2017/18, $2.5 million for road work, total paving 7.8 miles of road paved, plus 1.3 miles of drainage work, total roadwork improvement for last year was about 9.1 miles. This year, and will be discussed more with Mr. Hurley, will be able to pave/improve just under 23 miles of roads, through chip sealing, patch pave, paving, and fog coating. Process will delay decline of some roads. Technology of chip sealing has improved over the years and has more confidence in the process. Mr. Lundquist asked about past years there was a cap put on how much money to allocate because of a capacity issue and how much could get done, is that a  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL concern this year. Mr. Rosenthal said that is not a concern this time. Mr. Carroll asked about the quality of chip sealing used in the past. Mr. Rosenthal said that a fiber-mat product had been used on Equestrian Ridge and Greenleaf Farms, maybe not enough prep work was done in the past, chip seal may be the better alternative. Ms. Johnson asked about drainage, ice, curbing damage, and plan for repairs. Mr. Rosenthal will look into plan to repair curbs. Mr. Lundquist encouraged residents to call Public Works who will get a crew out to evaluate. Mr. Mattegat asked Mr. Rosenthal to elaborate on fog coating. Mr. Rosenthal explained that after the chip sealing process, an oil base is put down, then gravel is put on top, car traveling over compact it, then the excess gravel is removed, and apply a black sealer over it to darken it, adhesive properties. Mr. Wiedemann asked about the waste of tree removal. Mr. Rosenthal said some loose brush will be grinded up, some turning into mulch, he will get more detail. Referendum to two capital items – Mr. Rosenthal said that in preparation for items that will be brought to the Legislative Council, probably at the July meeting, the most recent referendum pertaining to the Town capital items – roads and Middle Gate roof, the Middle Gate roof will be less expensive than was voted on, Middle Gate roof was on the referendum for $1.6 million and the total cost has now come down and will be $875,000. Regrettably, when notice was filed in the Town Clerk’s Office, the notice was filed in the Newtown Bee in in the issue prior to the referendum which did not meet the five day standard, so the bond council reached out to Mr. Tait, and questioned it. Taking a cautious stance, the best course of action is for the Legislative Council to use its appropriation authority. It is now on the Board of Selectmen’s agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. Mr. Carroll asked about Middle Gate roof costs, previously he specifically asked questions about the necessity of replacing the entire roof or just parts of it, it was advised to replace the entire roof, now it is recommended to replace only parts of it. Mr. Tait said the CIP is to restore or replace the roof, decided to restore and not replace, and was bid out. Mr. Rosenthal said the budget needs a 5 day notice before the referendum, the CIP items were filed with not enough time. Mr. Lundquist commented that if the description of the use of the money is consistent, and the scope of work is less money than anticipated, all a good thing because the Town is spending less money, but wants to make sure that it correctly reflects the CIP, Mr. Tait said yes, because it says it is to replace and/or restore. Mr. Knapp asked if that also needs a deauthorization of the action, Mr. Tait said no, because it is void. Mr. Knapp asked if we exercise a large amount of Council authority now, where does that put us in the spring, not much authority left, is a better alternative to put to the voters again during the August primary. Mr. Rosenthal said that the problem putting it out in the primary is that only registered democrats and registered republicans can vote, a separate ballot in every polling place. The other thought is to use the November election as an option. Mr. Lundquist said it is good to have ideas for discussion and will have 3 options to consider. (Attached) OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS MR. WIEDEMANN MOVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING A $275,000 EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION, INITIATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, INCREASING THE TRANSFER OUT - CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING ACCOUNT IN THE GENERAL FUND. THIS $275,000 EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION WILL BE FUNDED BY THE USE OF FUND BALANCE (IN THE GENERAL FUND). SECOND BY MR. CARROLL. Mr. Lundquist referred to an updated CAP calculation, include the sidewalks, not accounted for was the deauthorization of a number of items to reduce the CAP and expands the ability for Council to take care of this now. (Attached) Mr. Tait explained how to get below the CAP and approve this action, maybe deauthorize a project. The amount available does not include the original $700,000 and passed by bond council and confirmed said a new  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CAP of $943,000. Still room in the CAP. Mr. Knapp asked what was deauthorized. Mr. Tait referred to July LC meeting minutes, list of items $553,000. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (9-0) MR. WIEDEMANN MOVED A TRANSFER TOTAL OF $300,000 FROM VARIOUS ACCOUNTS - $5,000 SALARIES & WAGES-FULL TIME, $5,000 INSURANCE, OTHER THAN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, $5,000 OTHER EXPENDITURES, $25,000 SALARIES & WAGES-FULL TIME, $10,000 SALARIES & WAGES-OVERTIME, $7,000 SALARIES & WAGES-FULL TIME, $15,000 SALARIES & WAGES-FULL TIME, $178,000 ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, $50,000 CONTINGENCY, TO TRANSFER OUT - CAPITAL NON-RECURRING FOR STORM CLEANUP COSTS. SECOND BY MR. CARROLL. Mr. Lundquist explained that this does combine what was done in the last two Legislative Council meetings to aggregate up to $1 million which is the estimated cost for storm clean up. The FEMA application is in, be able to reimburse fund balance, general fund, and money appropriated. Mr. Wiedemann asked for more explanation on money for salaries. Mr. Tait said there are always amount left over from salaries. Overtime is already in CAP non-recurring. Mr. Eide asked about the designation of the FEMA money. Mr. Tait explained that the FEMA money will go to into CAP non-recurring to fund it. Mr. Lundquist asked for description of the various accounts, Mr. Tait said departments include Tax Collector, Emergency Communications, Police, Public Works. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (9- 0) MR. WIEDEMANN MOVED A TRANSFER $9,500 FROM CONTINGENCY TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – ELECTION. SECOND BY MR. CARROLL. Mr. Lundquist explained that this is to cover the republican primary for the First Selectman race. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (9-0) MR. WIEDEMANN MOVED A REQUEST FOR AN APPROPRIATION OF $100,000 IN THE OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF A DEVELOPMENT EASEMENT OVER 29.17 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE OWNED BY THE NEWTOWN FOREST ASSOCIATION (TO PROTECT AGAINST FUTURE DEVELOPMENT) TO BE FUNDED BY IN LIEU FEES IN THE OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION FUND [RE: CHERRY GROVE PROPERTY]. SECOND BY MR. CARROLL. (Attached) Mr. Rosenthal said this effort is a successful public/private partnership with the Newtown Forestry Association to conserve land for conservation. Mr. Bart Smith spoke about the fundraising efforts. Mr. Smith explained value of property, assessment of easement, property will remain undevelopable in perpetuity. Mr. Smith explained existing trail system, stewardship, and management plan. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (9-0) MR. WIEDEMANN MOVED TO ACCEPT A STATE-FUNDED GRANT FOR BODY-WORN CAMERAS AND SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR IN-HOUSE DATA/VIDEO STORAGE. SECOND BY MR. CARROLL. Chief James Viedero explained the grant covers storage, data, equipment, software for each officer. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (9-0) VOTER COMMENT: None. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm.  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Respectfully Submitted, June Sgobbo Clerk Attachments: Newtown Center for Support & Wellness Working Towards a Healthy Community issue, Impact Statement Middle Gate Roof and Roads, Special Appropriation CAP Calculation FY 2017-2018, Resolution for $275,000 Emergency Appropriation, Transfer Request-Storm Clean-up, Transfer Request- Election, Appropriation for Development Easement-Cherry Grove Farm, Financial Impact Statement- Development Easement-Cherry Grove Farm, Financial Impact Assessment-Cherry Grove Farm, Development Easement Draft 6/31/18, Development Easement Schedule A, Financial Impact Statement- Police Department. These are draft minutes and as such are subject to correction by the Legislative Council at the next regular meeting. All corrections will be determined in minutes of the meeting at which they were corrected.  Working Towards a Healthy Community Summary for Community Leaders What is the Healthy Community initiative? In order to leverage the existing excellent services available in Newtown and work to- wards collective goals, an initiative began in early 2018 to start to build consensus on how we define and measure a healthy community. During the months of March and April, a task force of 25 active members (and a total of 40 overall) convened 4 times, 2 Why Should I Care? open community forums were held, and a community survey was conducted that gener- The initiative will: ated over 400 community responses. Based on this work in Newtown, national re-  Provide access and search, and accepted social predictors of health, the task force was able to create a defi- information to all nition and a supporting town philosophy for community health. community members What is the definition?  Communicate to your clients/customers that A Healthy Community is one where all individuals and families have awareness and you care about their access to opportunities for social, physical, and emotional health. The Town of community Newtown strives to provide a healthy community that encourages schools, businesses, and organizations to support wellness through the delivery of services which promote:  Increase awareness of other services and programs  Guide future community leaders with how to measure community health Why Should My Staff Care? The initiative will:  Increase collaboration with other community members What are the next steps?  Increase a sense of  Convene a group of 3-4 community members for each category to inventory ex- belonging and isting resources and determine data points necessary to measure success. purpose  Convene a group of community members to explore community standards and  Decrease duplication recommendations for the promotion of healthy community efforts. of services  Explore other large community initiatives to for points of shared purposed and collaboration.  Explore the use of a community calendar that can be leveraged for all organiza- Newtown Center for tions. Support and Wellness How else can I get involved? 28 Trades Lane Newtown, CT  Contact csw@newtown-ct.gov to volunteer for an active committee or sign up to 203-270-4612 receive on-going updates and information. csw@newtown-ct.gov  Consult with Jennifer Crane Jennifer.crane@newtown-ct.gov to explore how you can further support a Healthy Community as part of an existing organization or as www.newtowncsw.org an individual member of the community.