minutes of the regular meeting of the board of...

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GENERAL MANAGER SARTOR HELD ON

TUESDAY, JUNE 3,1997

LINCOLN CENTER HEARING ROOM 7:30 P.M.

First Meeting of the Month

PRESENT: Chainnan Cassano, Vice-Chainnan Negri, Secretary Humphrey-McMahon, Directors Becker, Coelho, Howroyd, Morancey and Thompson.

ABSENT: Director Hachadourian.

ALSO: General Manager Sartor, Deputy Manager Werbner and Town Attorney Darby.

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. All in attendance participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, led by Chairman Cassano. Mr. Cassano reviewed the schedule of meetings for the remainder of November.

2. OPENING OF MEETING TO ELECTORS OR TAXPAYERS WHO WISH TO BE HEARD ON ANY SUBJECT WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Ms. Maria Petow, 395 Woodland Street, said she is in favor of speed humps and thanked the Board for reconsidering them.

Mr. Ken Burkamp, 811 Main Street, urged the Board to support the purchase of the Cheney Silk Shed. He wanted the road next to it improved also. He acknowledged that he owns the property underneath the railroad bridge.

Mr. Joseph Rafala, 58 Hawthorne Street, felt the purchase of the silk shed was not the real issue and suggested that the real issue is a greenway.

Mr. Michael Sweeney, 86 Hawthorne Street, agreed with Mr. Rafala and added that he's not comfortable with the purchase of the silk shed.

Mr. Bill Ogden, 137 Branford Street, was not happy that the country club had been allowed to make a presentation at the last Board meeting.

Mr. Milt Perlman, 3 Sanford Road, felt the public is entitled to know the salaries of its public officials.

Mr. AI Reale, 204 Hawthorne Street, said he resented Mr. Rafala quoting him.

MINUTES 2 JUNE 3,1997

Mr. Bill Jawitz, 45 Hudson Street, Director of the Odyssey Community Charter School, expressed his appreciation for the ordinance providing tax exemptions.

Chairman Cassano responded to the questions posed and remarks made by the public speakers. General Manager Sartor will get information for Perlman on what it costs to deliver one dollar of servIce.

3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

Secretary Humphrey-McMahon moved and Director Negri seconded a motion to adopt:

a. Minutes of April 8, 1997 - Regular Meeting. b. Minutes of May 6, 1997 - Budget Adoption. c. Actions taken on May 13, 1997. d. Minutes of May 13, 1997 - Regular Meeting.

Eight Voted In Favor

4. PRESENTATION OF BID WAIVER REQUESTS.

There were no requests for bid waivers.

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS.

*5a. Appropriation to 1997/98 Community Use of Schools - Fund 265 $ 75,000.00 to be fmanced by user fees.

General Manager Sartor reviewed the backup information for this item, which all Board members had received. Chairman Cassano asked if the savings is passed on to the school and not to the owner of the building. Mr. Sartor - it is specific to the school, not to the owner, so presumably that would be negotiated in their lease.

There being no comments from the public, Chairman Cassano closed the public hearing on this item. There were no further questions from Board members regarding this item.

*5d. Appropriation to 1997/98 Police Special Services - Fund 215 $325,000.00 to be financed by fees received from outside contractors used to pay Police Special Services consistent with the 1997/98 Adopted Budget.

General Manager Sartor reviewed the backup information for this item, which all Board members had received. There being no comments from the public, Chairman Cassano closed the public hearing on this item. There were no questions from Board members regarding this item.

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*5e. Appropriation to Capital Improvement Reserve - for Permanent Pavement Repair Program $ 50,000.00 to be fmanced by reimbursement from utilities and contractors.

General Manager Sartor said this is an annual appropriation and explained how the repairs are done. There being no comments from the public, Chairman Cassano closed the public hearing on this item. There were no questions from Board members regarding this item.

*5f. Appropriation to Special Grants - Fund 260 - for D.A.R.E. . $ 225.00 to be fmanced by judicially mandated donations.

There being no comments from the public, Chairman Cassano closed the public hearing on this item. There were no questions from Board members regarding this item.

*5g. Appropriation to Cemetery Trust Fund for 1998 Cemetery Capital Improvements $73,000.00 to be fmanced by Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.

Ms. Louise Guamaccia, Field Services Administrator, reviewed the backup information for this item, which all Board members had received.

There being no comments from the public, Chairman Cassano closed the public hearing on this item.

Secretary Humphrey-McMahon said she was walking through East Cemetery and it really is nice in terms of plantings and added that the grass looks great.

Director Morancey asked what type of fencing is going to be put in. Ms. Guamaccia said they are looking into what should be done at Wellington Road - it's very unsightly now. She continued that she thought they would like to make the fence secondary and make plants the primary thing you would see from Wellington Road. The fence currently in place was discussed briefly.

Director Becker requested that the Board be informed of the exact amount in the cemetery trust fund.

*5h. Approval ofprogram proposals submitted by community agencies and Town Departments desiring to participate in the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act, PA 95-268 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

General Manager Sartor and Ms. Hanna Marcus, Director ofHuman Services, reviewed the backup imf01'l'l'l1ation for this item, which all Board members had received.



*5i. Appropriation to 1997/98 Recreation Activities - Fund 225 - Recreation Program Activities $150,000.00 to be financed by recreation registration and program fees in. the amount of $150,000 combined with $40,000 from the 1997/98 General Fund Budget for a total program cost of $190,000 consistent with the 1997/98 Adopted B~dget.

General Manager Sartor said this is an annual appropriation. Mr. Scott Sprague, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed the backup information for this item, which all Board members had received.


5j. An Ordinance to approve the purchase of premises known as the Cheney Silk Bam located on Elm Terrace for the sum of $20,000 from First ScrippS League Realty Co.

General Manager Sartor reviewed the history surrounding the project and characterized it as "freestanding and safe."

Mr. Joseph Rafala, 58 Hawthorne Street, asked that if the Board approves this, language be inserted that prevents the Town from using it as a greenway. He also said he quoted what Mr. Reale had said from a newspaper article. Mr. Rafala further qutestioned where the money to fix the silk shed would come from.

Mr. Bill Ogden 137 Branford Street, said the purchase sounded like a pig in a poke to him. He also asked what use the Town would have for the silk shed and what it would cost to get the building in shape.

6. COMMUNICATIONS.

Chairman Cassano announced the comment sessions for the monthl He requested that the evening session scheduled at the Whiton Library is held there and not moved to Main Street. Mr. Cassano noted that all Board members had received a letter form the Nathan Hale School PTA and requested that a plan be developed so that when school starts the traffic situation will be taken care of.

I

Director Howroyd said he received a communication, dated today, from Attorney Janenda, on behalf of Mr. Ansaldi, relating to Chalmers Street. He continued that he will make sure Board members get copies. Director Becker requested that it be put on next week's Agenda as an addendum

Director Becker initiated a discussion of the methane gas col1ection at the landfill. General Manager Sartor explained that the company with which the ToWn had a contract has exercised


their right under the contract to cancel that contract. He felt the main issue was Northeast Utilities filing a suit against the rate they are required to purchase excess energy at.

General Manager Sartor briefly reviewed the need for a tax lien policy, which the Board would discuss at its next meeting.

Director Thompson requested a copy of the methane contract, copies of their correspondence, a copy of the current Request for Proposals and an accounting of monies spent.

Director Becker felt the memo received by Board members regarding the Town Vehicle Policy was a step in the right direction. He also initiated a brief discussion of whether or not the General Manager had been directed to revise the policy during the adoption of the budget.

There was a consensus to put the Town Vehicle Policy on the Board's Agenda for next week. Chairman Cassano directed that by the Board's Friday mailing, the General Manager provide Board members with a rationale for and the impact on each of the five cars in the vehicle policy memo.

Director Coelho initiated a discussion of the handicapped parking space by MARC Bakery. Chairman Cassano directed the General Manager to make sure handicapped parking space near MARC is a priority with the Police Department.

Director Coelho requested that the General Manger fmd out about how to get permission to mow the triangle piece of property owned by State at Pine and Center Streets and how to add it to the mowing list by the next Board meeting.

Director Coelho said he can't understand why Attorney Penny was appointed to work with Cheney Hall and held up a picture of Atty. Penny signing the original contract - if we don't think the contract is that great why do we send a person who was involved with the contract? Chairman Cassano said he did appoint him - I'm not a part of that process. He continued that the Cheney Hall Foundation, Little Theatre and the Town Administration mutually agreed that they needed to sit down and discuss things. To keep things on a neutral basis they selected two people they could rely on - Attorney Penny and Mr. Hunniford, representing both sides of the aisle.

Director Negri updated the Board on events planned for Pride in Manchester Week.

Director Morancey moved and Secretary Humphrey-McMahon seconded a motion to take a brief recess.


The Board recessed at 9:20 p.m. and returned at 9:34 p.m.

JlTNE 3,1997MINUTES 6

7. REPORTS.

7a. Quarterly project status report - Peter Lozis, Director of Public Works.

Mr. peter Lozis, Director of Public Works, reviewed the contents of his written report, which all Board members had received.

Director Morancey asked about the fishing pier. Mr. Lozis said Mr. Sprague, Director of Parks and Recreation, received a proposal from the consultant that did the design work at Center Springs Pond and added that the proposal is under review. Mr. Morancey asked if that should be on the project list. Mr. Lozis said it probably should be and added that it's a new project for him.

Director Morancey asked about the status of the handicapped trail at Union Pond. Mr. Sprague said the Request for Proposals will be going out by the end of the week. Mr. Morancey asked if this project will be on the project list. Mr. Lozis - I can make it as long as you want. General Manager Sartor said this isn't an exhaustive list of all the projects the Town has going, it includes just the ones under the Director of Public Works' purview.

Director Morancey asked ifthe draft report on Main Street lighting has detennined how to fix the problem. Mr. Lozis said they've made a couple of recommendations and proceeded to outline those recommendations.

Director Becker said it seems the amount available for the Senior Center is quite a ways from the project estimate and added that the same seems to be true for the library addition - both of these almost doubled. Mr. Lozis said when they went to referendum the Board elected to reduce the numbers significantly. General Manager Sartor said since it actually went into design, and people start adding things, the price increased. Chairman Cassano noted that at the time the library was contemplating a state grant to make up the difference and they didn't get it. Mr. Becker - you recommended a number for the senior center which was quite a bit higher than $525,000 and the Board pared down your number to put it on the referendum? Mr. Lozis - I believe we did put in a higher number, $750,000 or $800,000, that was a guesstimate taking the square footage of the senior center and comparing it with the square footage of the Lincoln Center and making a direct ratio. Ways to determine amounts for the purposes of estimating a project were briefly explained by the General Manager. Mr. Becker felt what really happened when the number was cut back was that the Board wasn't being honest with people - I know it was added at the last minute but it doesn't seem to be a good way of doing business. He continued that the Town wasn't even through the design phases yet for something that was authorized in November 1995.

Chainnan Cassano said the delay in the project has nothing to do with the bottom line of dollars and cents. Most of the other projects were cut back as well.

Director Coelho requested information about the option of putting the Senior Center and Youth Service Bureau at Stop & Shop. General Manager Sartor said he's met with a representative of the owners of that strip of stores and added that the Town wouldn't own the facility, would have


to do significant leasehold improvements and the overall expense would be greater than the repairs but they're not apples and apples, we're not talking about the same thing. Mr. Coelho expressed his frustration about the Senior Center project.

7b. Westerly Street Sidewalks.

Director Coelho said Westerly Street should have sidewalks because there are 75 children on that street. He did not feel the people living there should be requested to pay for it if the Town doesn't require that of anyone else.

7c. Truck Prohibition Ordinance.

Director Morancey said all Board members received a memo from Town Attorney Darby, which contained a generic truck ordinance. Mr. Morancey also explained how he would tabulate the streets involved. He asked that Board members review the ordinance and refer their comments and questions to the Administration. The ordinance will be on the July Agenda.

Director Becker asked if it would be possible to draft the ordinance so the officer in charge of traffic would be given the leeway to post the prohibition on the streets deemed in the best interest of the Town as opposed to listing the streets in the ordinance. That way, as traffic patterns change, we wouldn't have to amend the ordinance or adopt a new one. Town Attorney Darby said he will look at that and noted that Director Morancey has also inquired about that. Atty. Darby continued that his concern on that would be that it is too general and a delegation of the Board's authority. He also noted that it has to be a road that begins and ends in Manchester. This point was discussed briefly, with Mr. Lozis, Public Works Director, noting that in order to prohibit trucks from a certain street, there has to be a reasonable alternative route.

Director Morancey stressed that the intent is not to limit access through the Town but he thought access in residential areas on local streets should be prohibited. He continued that the intent is to focus the trucks through the proper channels and not have them taking shortcuts. One of the action items of the Traffic Subcommittee is to pursue this truck ordinance throughout the Town. He requested that the Town's traffic authority review the proposed truck ordinance and proposed routes and come back with comments. Mr. Morancey will provide a list of streets he has in mind.

8. CONSENT CALENDAR.

Director Negri moved and Director Morancey seconded a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar as amended.

Director Becker requested that the Budget Officer provide a general explanation of the mixmaster, Item 17m, especially items 2 and 3, for the next Board meeting.

Director Morancey requested infonnation regarding what SCADA means in the job description for water treatment plant superintendent.

JUNE 3,1997 MINUTES 8

Eight Voted In Favor (this action was reconsidered later in the meeting)

9. ACTION ON ITEMS OF PUBLIC HEARING.

9b. Appropriation to General Fund - Board of Education Arbitration Settlement of Custodial Contract to be fmanced by Designated Fund Balance for this purpose.

$ 60,943.00

Director Howroyd moved and Director Morancey seconded a motion to adopt Item 9b.

Director Becker asked who receives the money in this item and for what service. General Manager Sartor said it is appropriated to the Board of Education who expends it for the settlement of the past responsibilities associated with the contract that's recently been approved. Mr. Becker - is this retroactive pay? Mr. Sartor - yes. Mr. Becker - it's not the cost of the arbitration itself. Mr. Sartor - no.


9j. Adoption of an Ordinance to approve the purchase of premises known as the Cheney Silk Barn located on Elm Terrace for the sum of $20,000 from First Scripps League Realty Co.

Director Becker moved to discuss. Chairman Cassano said the Board would discuss the item, but not act on it at this time. He also said a representative of the Arts Council will attend next week's meeting because the Council has expressed an interest in the building.

Director Coelho felt the Board should take a look at the building. He also said he thought the money from Lydall was approved to go to Northwest Park. Chairman Cassano said that was Allied, Lydall was undesignated.

Director Becker asked why the Town would want to own the building and who was responsible for putting it on the Agenda. Chairman Cassano said he was approached four years ago by the Arts Council who felt it was a priority to find a location where the Arts Council could have a place where they could begin to generate some interest in the arts. He continued that the Council thought it would be good to try to do that in the Cheney historic mill area. Mr. Cassano felt the arts had been shortchanged east of the river. He also said he didn't even know the building was there and added that it was raised before as a part of the bicycle path - and we turned it down. Mr. Cassano said in 1995 he asked the General Manager to get in touch with Scripps and discuss the possibility - there were other people trying to purchase the building at the same time, there clearly is a use for that building.

Chairman Cassano continued that he wrote to Scripps in 1995 asking that if they were going to sell the building to give us the chance to match the offer. Mr. Cassano said he'd like to explore the possibility and added that the Town might want to use the building for storage.


Director Becker said he's not opposed to an arts group having a home in Manchester but was perplexed as to why they would want a building with no bathroom facilities, no electricity, no doors and no parking. He agreed that the Directors should look at the building before they take action.

It was decided that next week's meeting would reconvene at 6:30 p.m. at silk barn. Town Attorney Darby would arrange for a key.

Director Becker asked ifany broker will be receiving a commission on this sale. General Manager Sartor - no. Chairman Cassano - not that I know of. Mr. Becker asked if the owners are CUll'ent on their taxes. General Manager Sartor - I've not had any indication they are not. Town Attomcy Darby said ifthey are that would be paid at the closing. Mr. Becker said if they are in arrears the Board should be made aware of it. He also asked for clarification of the use of the ternl "donation" in this instance. General Manager Sartor explained that there had been an arrangement for Lydall to take over a building and the tax lien and part of that discussion was that at some time they might make a donation - subsequently fuey did and we've held fuat money. He continued that the money was not donated for any specific purpose except for that use which the Board of Directors might determine in the future. Mr. Becker - they received some real property in exchange for fueir donation? Mr. Sartor - not specifically in exchange for their donation although it would be incorrect to say that it wasn't discussed during the process - it's not part of dle contractual agreement, they weren't forced to do it as part of compensation.

Director Howroyd felt before the decision to purchase the building was made fue Board should know what fue intended public use would be. Also, some of the access issues and facility needs need to be addressed. He asked iffue memo received by fue Board from the Planning and Zoning Commission stating fue Commission didn't have enough information and could not endorse it implied fuat adoption by this Board will require a two-fuirds vote. General Manager Sartor - yes.

Director Morancey said he's seen fue outside offue building and requested information on what would the cost would be of setting up the silk shed like the Pitkin Glass Works, in other words simply for historical value, and weigh that against property tax value.

Director Negri asked if the building is part of fue Cheney Brothers Historic District and if so, if there would be any restrictions as to 'the renovation of the building. Chairman Cassano said it's part of fue district and added that restrictions depend on what funding is used.

Director Thompson asked if the Town will have to fix the driveway by the silk shed as stated by Mr. Burkamp and what the ramifications offuat would be. Town Attorney Darby said he will check the land records.

Director Coelho moved and Secretary Humphrey-McMahon seconded a motion to table Item 9j to next week. ' ,



General Manager Sartor noted that Item 17b, the Board of Education transfers, was on the Consent Caiendar and it shouldn't have been because the Board ofEducation hasn't agreed to the allocation ofl that money yet. He continued that at this time it would be in appropriate to approve the allocations as listed.

Director Howroyd moved and Director Negri seconded a motion to reconsider the Consent

Ci1endar .


8. CONSENT CALENDAR.

Director Negri moved and Director Morancey seconded a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar as amended:

Consent Calendar consists of Items: 5a., 5c., 5d., 5e., 5f., 5g., 5h., 5i., 17d., 17e., 17f., 17g., 17h., 17j.

Added to the Consent Calendar: 5c.

Removed from the Consent Calendar: 17b., 17m.


*5b. ADOPTED - Appropriation to 1997/98 Community Use of Schools - Fund 265 $ 75,000.00 to be fmanced by user fees.

*5c. APPROVED - Tax Exemption Ordinance for the Odyssey Charter School pursuant to Section 12-81(58) of the Connecticut General Statutes.

*5d. ADOPTED - Appropriation to 1997/98 Police Special Services Fund 215 $325,000.00 to be financed by fees received from outside contractors used to pay Police Special Services consistent with the 1997/98 Adopted Budget.

*5e. ADOPTED - Appropriation to Capital Improvement Reserve - for Permanent Pavement Repair Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $ 50,000.00 to be fmanced by reimbursement from utilities and contractors.

*5f. ADOPTED - Appropriation to Special Grants - Fund 260 - for D.A.R.E. .. $ 225.00 to be fmanced by judicially mandated donations.

*5g. ADOPTED - Appropriation to Cemetery Trust Fund for 1998 Cemetery Capital Improvements $73,000.00


I

to be fmanced by Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.

*5h. APPROVED - Program proposals submitted by community agencies and Town Departments desiring to participate in the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act, PA 95-268 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

*5i. ADOPTED - Appropriation to 1997/98 Recreation Activities-Fund 225 - Recreation Program Activities $150,000.00 to be financed by recreation registration and program fees in the amount of $150,000 combined with $40,000 from the 1997/98 General Fund Budget for a total program cost of $190,000 consistent with the 1997/98 Adopted Budget.

*17d. APPROVED - Tax Collection Suspense List for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1997.

*17e. APPROVED - Request for the early retirement of Mary N. Foley, Board of Education, to be effective July I, 1997.

*17f. APPROVED - Request for the early retirement of Antonia Pike, Board of Education, to be effective July I, 1997.

*17g. APPROVED - Job descriptions consistent with the FY 1997/98 Adopted Budget as follows:

1) Chief of Police 2) Fire MarshalllDeputy Chief 3) Water Treatment Plant Superintendent 4) Field Maintenance Supervisor 5) Treatment Manager 6) Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent 7) Field Maintenance Manager 8) Assistant Laboratory Director 9) Civil Engineer

10) Laboratory Director 11) Assistant Building Official 12) Assistant Chief Building Inspector 13) Assistant Neighborhood Inspection Officer, Housing Code, Property

Maintenance

*17h. ADOPTED - Affirmative Action Plan Update.

*17j. ADOPTED - Amendment to Housing Regulations consistent with 1997/98 Adopted Budget.

End of Consent Calendar Items.


General Manager Sartor said the Town is in the process of completing the contract for street milling and if the Board intends to institute speed humps on Westerly Street he needs an indication ofapproximately how many and where because he would like to work that into the schedule of the milling company - if the company goes on to its other contracts, I don't know the next time we'll get them back to do a small amount of milling like that. Director Morancey suggested that the recommended design standard be used. Mr. Sartor said he would add Westerly Street to the milling list. There was no disagreement. After some discussion regarding where the humps would be installed and how many would be installed, Chairman Cassano said since there's a design standard the Public Works Department should go down there and take the ideal, based on their expertise, and not rely on the Board to make the decision. Messrs. Morancey and Thompson agreed. Mr. Sartor - that's all the infonnation I needed.

10. RECESS TO SECOND WEEK.

Director Coelho moved and Secretary Humphrey-McMahon seconded a motion to recess the meeting to Tuesday, June 10, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. at the Silk Barn.


Adj: 10:48 p.m. Jrn

APPROVED:

ATTEST:

.~~ -bl1tltMr?LV'SEC TAR, B<MRDOF DIRECTORS

MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT

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PROPOSED ORDINANCE

BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Directors of the Town of Manchester, that Section 15 of The Code of Ordinances of the Town of Manchester is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Sec. IS-IS. Tax exemption for the Odyssey Community School, Inc.

The Odyssey Community School, Inc., a local charter school formed pursuant to Chapter 164, Part IVb of the General Statutes is hereby granted an exemption pursuant to Gen. Stat. §12-81 (58) from any taxes assessed against real or personal property leased to it, so long as the Odyssey Community School, Inc. continues to use said leased property for educational purposes pursuant to Chapter 164, Part IVb of the General Statutes.

5-23-97

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