Committee Members:
Gail Chapman-Carbone, Chairperson, Peter Black, Dorothy Maynard, Laurel Merrick, Michael Nardella, David Rowe
In Attendance:
Gail Chapman-Carbone, Chairperson, Peter Black, Dorothy Maynard, Laurel Merrick, David Rowe
Others in Attendance:
First Selectman Unk DaRos, Third Selectman John Opie, Joyce Forte – Town Director of Human Resources, Jim Finch – Town Director of Finance, Steve Palumbo – Stony Creek Rescue, and two associates, Rev.Vance A. Taylor, Treasurer and Board Member, BRIC and two associates, Raymond Vergati – VP of Operations, New England – HPC Development, LLC
Agenda:
· To consider and, if appropriate, approve a request from the Human Resources Director for the following transfer (FY10):
From: 101-49040-588802 Contingency ( 226,020)
To: 101-42040-51700 Salaries 164,721
101-42040-51800 Overtime 6,870
101-42040-518200 Replace Sick 5,342
101-42040-518050 Replace Vacation 14,694
101-42040-518150 Replace Holiday 11,068
101-42040-519020 Longevity 1,125
101-42040-519050 Stipends (Full time para-medic) 19,000
101-42040-526100 Boot Allowance 3,200
TOTAL 226,020
Joyce Forte presented. Advised this transfer is a result of the collective bargaining agreement for the Fire Department employees which was approved at the RTM Special Meeting on July 29, 2009 and ratified by the union members. This request from contingency is only for the 2009 – 2010 fiscal year. Discussion took place. Representative P. Black made a motion to approve, seconded by Representative L. Merrick. Motion carried 5/0.
· To consider and, if appropriate, approve a request from the Human Resources Director for the following transfer (FY09):
From: 101-4902-492.20-09 Health Insurance Premiums ( 6,549)
To: 101-4901-491.20-17 Unemployment Comp. 6,549
Joyce Forte presented. Advised this transfer is a result of the Federal government notifying the State of Connecticut during fiscal year 2008/2009 of the Extended Benefit (EB) program that provides 13 additional weeks of unemployment compensation to those individuals out of work, which is in addition to the 26 weeks of State benefits and the 33 weeks of Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation, bringing the total unemployment maximum benefit to 72 weeks. This transfer is to accommodate Branford’s Town unemployment claims during the fiscal year 2008/2009 which included individuals in seasonal and temporary positions (dockmaster, recreation instructors, supernummary police, poll workers, Parker Park employees) and full time employees who resigned. Discussion followed. Motion to approve made by
Representative D. Maynard, seconded by Representative D. Rowe. Motion carried 5/0.
· To consider and, if appropriate, approve a request from the Finance Director for the following transfer (FY09):
From: 101-4104-404.62-01 Postage ( 1,906)
To: 101-4104-404.53-02 Legal Notices 1,718
101-4104-404.15-00 Accrued Payroll 14
101-4104-404.12-05 Treasurer 174
TOTAL 1,906
Jim Finch presented. Advised this transfer covers the remaining costs associated with advertising notices. Motion to approve made by Representative D. Rowe, seconded by Representative D. Maynard. Motion carried 5/0.
· To consider and, if appropriate, approve a request from the Finance Director for the following transfer (FY09):
From: 101-4117-417.10-00 Salaries & Wages ( 7,870)
To: 101-4117-417.10-09 Overtime 7,600
101-4117-417.58-02 Clothing 270
TOTAL 7,870
Jim Finch presented. Advised this transfer is a result of the reorganization of General Government Buildings (GGB) in which a non-union department head position was replaced by a union supervisor. The benefit of this reorganization was to create a working supervisor who would provide hands on service along with the tradesmen.
Discussion followed. Motion made by Representative P. Black, seconded by Representative D. Rowe. Motion carried 5/0.
· To consider and, if appropriate, approve a lease for Commercial Dock Space.
Second Selectman John Opie reviewed that this matter pertained to the 12 Stony Creek commercial parking spaces located adjacent to the leased commercial floating docks accessed from Indian Point Road in Stony Creek. Advised that the Town of Branford via the Public Works budget provides the maintenance and up keep of these docks. Explained that for the past 12 years, these parking spaces have been used on a first come, first served basis by commercial users such as fishermen, contractors, trades people, etc. during normal workday hours and on Saturday mornings and this policy was previously recommended and approved by the Stony Creek Association and the Branford Police Commission. Late this past summer, this policy was changed by the current administration, restricting the commercial parking spaces to
commercial dock lease holders only during working hours via a hanging parking permit badge. Mr. Opie believes that this reversal in policy should be heard by the RTM per the Town Code, section 73-3, that states that only the RTM has the power to significantly alter leases of Town owned property and to encumber Town owned land. First Selectman DaRos explained the reason for the change was to try to prevent commercial users from abusing the limited parking spaces. Discussion followed. Motion made by Representative P. Black, seconded by Representative D. Rowe that parking spaces and dock leases as per the Town Code, section 73-3, fall under the RTM and that the next RTM shall look into the matter. Motion carried 5/0.
· To consider and, if appropriate, extend a tax abatement of real property taxes on properties located at 13-29 Rogers Street and 142-190 Ivy Street for an additional ten years effective the October 1, 2009 Grand List as permitted by Section 169-2(4) of the Code of the Town of Branford.
Representative Black recused himself. Presenters were First Selectman DaRos and Reverend Vance Taylor, Associate Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Branford and a member of the Board of Directors of the Branford Interfaith Housing Corporation, (BRIC), who owns the Ivy Street Apartments located at 146 North Ivy Street. They explained that in 1990, the Town and BRIC entered into a Cooperation Agreement, approved by the Board of Selectmen and RTM, for a ten year local property tax abatement based upon affordable housing, and subsequently approved a ten year extension. This request is to extend the local property tax abatement for another ten years commencing with Grand List of October 1, 2009. Discussion followed. Motion made by Representative L. Merrick, seconded by Representative D.
Maynard to approve. Motion carried 4/0.
· To consider, and, if appropriate, approved the reappointment of Douglas Marsh to the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District’s Representative Policy Board for another three year term.
First Selectman DaRos explained that he received a letter from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District advising that Douglas Marsh’s three year term as the Town of Branford’s representative on their Representative Policy Board expired on June 30, 2009. This item was to approve the reappointment for another three year term. Motion by Representative Black, seconded by Representative Rowe to approve. Motion carried 5/0.
· To consider, and if appropriate, approve a proposed lease agreement between the town and T-mobile for the placement of a monopole cellular tower on town property located at 84 Thimble Island Road.
First Selectman DaRos and Raymond Vergati, VP of Operations, New England of HPC Development, LLC, reviewed this item. Mr. Vergati, on behalf of T-Mobile, discussed the proposal of placing a monopole cellular tower at 84 Thimble Island Road, which happens to be the location of the Stony Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and would create revenue for the Town. Steve Palumbo of SC Rescue advised that on behalf of the Chief and Fire Commission, no one had advised them of this plan and discussed issues relating to housing the tower on this site. Discussion followed. Motion by Representative L. Merrick, seconded by Representative D. Maynard to approve subjection to approval by the Town Fire Commission. Motion carried 5/0.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Chapman Carbone
Chairperson – Administrative Services
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