BRANFORD RTM ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES - UNAPPROVED
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Canoe Brook
Meeting began at 7:05pm and adjourned at 8:45pm
In attendance: Lisa Avitable, Bob Cromer, Janet Doyle, Dorothy Maynard,
Michael Nardella, Kurt Schwanfelder, Gail Chapman Carbone
Committee met to consider and if appropriate:
1. Review the issue of Panaroni vs. Branford Zoning Board of Appeals and
being defended by the Marcus Law Firm.
Attorney Shelley Marcus represented The Marcus Law Firm. She read a
letter written by Attorney David Doyle of The Marcus Law Firm
expressedly to Peter Black, R-3, in regards to the potential conflict of
interest with The Marcus Law Firm defending the Town's interests against
Peter Panaroni's lawsuit relative to Branford's Zoning Board of Appeals
regarding property that he owns at 44 Tabor Drive. (See attached
letters: Peter Black to the RTM, David Doyle to Peter Black.) Extensive
discussion followed. Lisa Avitable made a motion to refer matter so
that Peter Panaroni could attend and defend himself, seconded by Janet
Doyle. Motion defeated 2/5. Discussions continued. Dan Shapiero,
Chairman of the Branford Inlands/Wetlands Commission, made a
presentation of events that occurred regarding this issue with
Department Head Diana Ross and Attorney Ed Marcus and made a decision,
independent of the I/W Commission, to lift the cease and assist order at
Attorney Marcus's request for twenty-four hours to ensure Mr. Panaroni
was able to transfer the property from his mother to himself and
refinance the property, ultimately leading to the collection of back
taxes totaling about $57,000.00. Attorney S. Marcus advised the group
that if other citizens owed back taxes, she would do the same thing her
law firm did for Mr. Panaroni so that the Town could recover taxes owed.
J. Opie advised that the Town charges 18% interest if taxes are not
paid, so that eventually, when property is sold, the Town collects
what's due, and without additional fees paid to lawyers. Question arose
whether the Guilford Savings Bank who refinanced Mr. Panaroni's
property, was aware that the IWC's cease and assist order was lifted to
enable him to do so, and that it was put back on the property after
refinancing. Attorney S. Marcus said the bank knew about it and did not
have any problems with it. Mr. Panaroni is now suing the Town of
Branford's Zoning Board of Appeals because of property-use issues and
with the Marcus Law Firm representing the Town. The issue that members
of The RTM Administrative Services are charged with is determining if
there is a conflict of interest between Mr. Panaroni and the Marcus Law
Firm. Michael Nardella made a motion to re-refer discussion, seconded
by Bob Cromer and invite Mr. Panaroni, his lawyer - Attorney Al
Ippilito, Joshua Brown - Chairman of Branford's Zoning Board of Appeals,
a loan officer from Guilford Savings Bank and others who may shed some
light on this matter. Motion carried 5/2, with L. Avitable and Janet
Doyle voting no.
Next regular meeting of the RTM Administrative Services Committee is
scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 7:00pm at Canoe Brook Senior
Center.
2. Approve the Capital Projects Manager's request for the transfer of
$16,667 from Contingency to Executive for Greenways Trail Grant
transfer. (Note: Item re-reffered base upon November 29, 2006 request
from Janice Plaziak, Town Engineer, "since it has ended up being a
two-part approval from the BOF due to a change in the amount of the
money necessary for the Town's local match requirement.")
3. Review the Branford Town Hall's IT Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan
update and recommendations. (See attached.)
Peter Hugret, Director of Branford Town's information Technology,
provided a detailed presentation on the Town's IT back up and disaster
recovery plan - past, present, and proposed. See attached. This
presentation will also be provided to the Board of Finance for approval
before being referred to the RTM.
Motion made by K. Schwanfelder to ajourn meeting, seconded by Bob
Cromer. Motion passed 7/0.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Chapman Carbone
Chair person - Administrative Services
December 8, 2006
| 
