Legislative Council Special Meeting

3 PRIMROSE STREET NEWTOWN, CT 06470 TEL. (203) 270-4201 FAX (203) 270-4205 www.newtown-ct.gov P TOWN OF NEWTOWN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING JULY 2, 2018 NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL CENTER, NEWTOWN, CT MINUTES PRESENT: Chris Smith, Jordana Bloom, Robert Pickard, Judit DeStefano, Ryan Knapp, Dan Wiedemann, Paul Lundquist, Phil Carroll, Kelley Johnson, Jay Mattegat, Dan Honan. ABSENT: Chris Eide. ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, Finance Director Bob Tait, Director of Public Works Fred Hurley, 3 public. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Lundquist called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:31 pm. VOTER COMMENT: MaryAnn Jacob, 65 Mohawk Trail, Sandy Hook - thanked the Legislative Council and Town for quick attention appropriation of funding for clean up as a result of the May storm. Ms. Jacob presented slides showing the devastation in her neighborhood, which included a 30’ high pile of debris. She explained the work of neighbors who banded together to make a walking path, and efforts to attend to an elderly neighbor. Ms. Jacob expressed grateful recognition for Town staff, volunteers, and utilities workers. Anthony D’Angelo, 18 Cedarhust Trail, Sandy Hook - spoke to storm damage, Town staff, contractors, superior in removing debris, drainage concerns and conservation issues, he would hope that the appropriate personnel will take a close look at stabilization where needed, especially in conservation areas that would require remediation. Mr. D’Angelo encouraged the Legislative Council to appropriate funding. Ed Lundblad, 155 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook – thanked all for good work and has faith in the Town to act in response to need for appropriation of funds for damage due to the storm. MINUTES: MR. CARROLL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 20, 2018 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY MR. WIEDEMANN. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (8- 0) (Abstain: Chris Smith, Robert Pickard, Dan Honan) COMMUNICATIONS: None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT: First Selectman Dan Rosenthal referred to last week’s BOS meeting, voted in favor of the 191 South Main Street location for the new police station project. OLD BUSINESS: None.  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEW BUSINES: MR. WIEDEMANN MOVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING A $500,000 EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION, INITIATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, INCREASING THE TRANSFER OUT - CAPITAL AND NON-RECURRING ACCOUNT IN THE GENERAL FUND. THIS $500,000 EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION WILL BE FUNDED BY THE USE OF FUND BALANCE (IN THE GENERAL FUND) and further moved to waive the reading of the full resolution. SECOND BY MR. CARROLL. Mr. Lundquist led the discussion regarding the clean-up costs for the May storm, emergency appropriation, and FEMA reimbursement. Ms. DeStefano addressed the percent threshold for multiple Town funding. Mr. Wiedemann asked about funds to cover cost instead of fund balance. Mr. Rosenthal said can look to do that in the future. Mr. Hurley explained the extent of storm damage, specialized equipment necessary, in line with storm damage costs in other towns. Mr. Lundquist asked about the immediate follow up, overtime, any issues taxpayers need to be concerned about. Mr. Hurley responded about overtime, eligible for reimbursement, accountability. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Hurley about neighborhoods in need, infrastructure damage, Mr. Hurley responded that teams are aware, and all attempts are being made to get all neighborhoods back to normal. Mr. Lundquist said he is favor of the motion, exact use of the fund balance used for unanticipated need. Should not pose a big risk with rating agency. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES. (11-0) VOTER COMMENT: Ed Lundblad, 155 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook – Mr. Lundblad referred to trim 15 feet by power company around high voltage wire, 3-5 feet by utility, homeowner insurance only if tree is on the structure, specifics extent of damage walk path. Anthony D’Angelo, 18 Cedarhust Trail, Sandy Hook – thanked the Legislative Council for efforts to appropriate funding. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Respectfully Submitted, June Sgobbo Clerk Attachments: Balance Sheet Governmental Funds. 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.