REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
BRANFORD, CT.
MARCH 8, 2006
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator Rep.Bruno , at 8:08p.m. The Moderator led the Body in The Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Roll Call.
Members present: Rep. Abels, Rep. Avitable, Rep. Black, Rep. J. Bruno, M. Bruno, Rep. Chapman, Rep. Coppola, Rep. Docknevich, Rep. Doyle, Rep. DeFord, Rep. DeStefano, Rep. Flanigan, Rep. Fowler, Rep. Giardiello, Rep. Greenalch, Rep. Infantino, Rep. Kiskaddon, Rep. Lavorato, Rep. Maynard, Rep.Mauriello, Rep. Nardella, Rep. O'Donnell, Rep. Prete, Rep. Reed, Rep. Reiners, Rep. Schwanfelder, Rep. Smith, Rep. Thayer, Rep. Twohill, Rep. Walker. Also present First Selectwoman Morris, 2nd Selectman Sullivan, Town Clerk Kelley, Town Atty Marcus.
1 .. Approval of the minutes of previous meeting, Motion by Rep.Smith 2nd by Rep. Avitable, to approve Motion passed .
2 .. Reception of communications, reports of committees and citizens' petitions.
Several letters were read regarding the "Queach Property"
Letter from the First Selectwoman regarding support of the change to Branford Code 126-1 regarding speed limit in the Branford Harbor.(see attachment)
Letter was read by the Moderator regarding update on BroadWater Energy's Floating LNG Project (see attachment)
To consider and if appropriate, approve a Ordinance to protect Branford's Trees, This was sent to the Rules & Ordinance Committee. (see attachment)
To consider and if appropriate, review changes on payments by the Town to Attorneys. This was sent to the Administrative Service Committee. (see attachment)
A Resolution from the Branford RTM to State Senator Edward Meyer, State Rep. Patricia Widlitz, State Rep. Peter Panaroni, was read regarding to close a loophole in the Connecticut binding arbitration law for school employees that allows more than 50% of Teachers' and/or School Administrators' contracts to take effect without the approval of Town legislative bodies such as the Branford RTM. (see attachment)
The following items were sent to Committees:
To consider and if appropriate, approve the Registrar of Voters Office request for the following transfers:
From: 4904-494.59-13 Contingency $(1,966)
From: 4112-412.11-01 Election VVorkers $(3,234)
To: 4112-412.11-02 Primary & Special Elections $ 4,700
To: 4112-412.11-03 Voting Machine R & M $ 500
From: 4904-494.59-13 Contingency $ ( 340)
To: 4112-412.33-24 Moving & Storage $ 340
This was sent to the Ways & Means and Administrative Services Committees.
To consider and if appropriate, approve the Registrar of Voters Office request for the following transfer:
From: 4904-494.59-13 Contingency $(6,995)
To: 4112-412.33-24 Filing Cabinet/Voting Machine $ 6,995
This was sent to the Ways & Means and Administrative Services Committees.
To consider and if appropriate, approve the Board of Finance request to the RTM of an appropriation of $4000,000 to establish a fund for financing improvements to the Branford High Schoo! track and athletic field and for future use as a sinking fund. In addition, the Board of Finance recommends funding this item by increasing the General Fund Budge from $79,591,241 to $79,741,124. The increase of $150,000 is funded from undesignated fund balance. This was sent to the Education & Ways & Means Committees.
To consider and if appropriate, approve a request for the James Blackstone library Board of Trustees to reprogram the 2005-06 capital allocation in the amount of $10,847 to use fund previously allocated for window replacement for repairs to the boiler. This was sent to the Education Committee
To consider and if appropriate, approve a request from the information
Technology Director for the following transfer: .
From: 4904-494.59-13 Contingency $(1,995)
To: 4119-419-63.01 Hardware $ 1,995
This was sent to the Administrative Service & Ways & Means Committees.
To consider and if appropriate, approve a request for the Information Technology Director for the following transfer:
From: 4401-441.42-01 Human Resources/Telephone $(9,780)
To consider and if appropriate, approve the Board of Police Commissioners request for the following transfer:
From: 4201-421.10-00 Salaries/Wages
To: 4201-421.70-79 Equipment
This was sent to the Public Service Committee.
To consider and if appropriate, approve the Finance Director and Tax Collector request for the following transfer:
From: 4904-494.59-13 Contingency $(235,000)
To: 4107-407.59-01 Tax Appeals $ 235,000
This was sent to the Ways & Means and Administrative Service Committee.
To consider and if appropriate, approve the Finance Director request for the following transfer:
From: 4904-494.59-13 Contingency $(25,000)
To: 4903-493.51-10 Insurance Damage $ 25,000
This was sent to the Ways & Means and Administrative Service Committees
Motion by Rep. Smith 2nd by Rep. Doye to move item 9 & 8 on the cal! up to heard before regular items on call Motion passed.
9. To consider and if appropriate, the proposal presented to the Town by Mr. Vigliotti regarding the "Queach Property" Motion by Rep. Chapman 2nd by Rep. Reiners to reject the proposal Motion passed ( see attachment)
8. To consider and if appropriate, the renewal of a resolution to acquire through purchase of if necessary, by eminent domain, three parcels of property consisting of approximately 159+/- acres located in the vicinity of Queach Road. Motion by Rep. Reiners 2nd by Rep. Smith to approve, Motion by Rep. Smith 2nd by Rep. Avitable to move the question Motion failed. Motion by Rep. Smith 2nd by Rep. Doyle to move the question Motion passed. The original Motion by Rep. Reiners passed. (see attachment)
Motion by Rep. Schwanfelder 2nd by Rep. DeStefano to suspend rule 4.4.1 to add item to call Motion passed. Motion by Rep. Schwanfelder 2nd by Rep. DeStefano to authorize the Selectmen's office to take the Queach property by eminent domain. 3 minute recess by Rep. Smith 2nd by Avitable Motion passed 10:34pm reconvened at 10:38PM also recess from 10:45pm reconvened at
11 :03pm Motion by Rep. Smith 2nd by Rep. Doyie to move the question Motion passed. Main motion by Rep. Schwanfelder was defeated by 15-14 vote (see attachment)
Motion by Rep. Reiners 2nd by Rep. Maynard that the RTM recommends that the First Selectwoman implement Eminent Domain if no negotiation of purchase or deal has by achieved by May 1, 2006 Motion passed 15-14 (see attachment)
3 .. To consider and if appropriate, an amendment to the Town Ordinance for Disabled Citizen Section 220-18F Motion by Rep. Lavorata to rerefer this item Motion passed.
4 . .To consider and if appropriate, approve a Resolution of the Branford RTM to commit to the 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Campaign Motion by Rep. Chapman 2nd by Rep. lavorato to approve Motion passed.
5 . .To consider and if appropriate Proposed revisions to Bidding Ordinance Section 75-2 of the Branford Code Motion by Rep. Lavorata to rerefer this item Motion passed.
6 . .To consider and if appropriate, proposed revisions to the Branford Code 1261 regarding speed limits Branford Point, Motion by Rep. Lavorato to rerefe this item Motion passed.
7.To consider and if appropriate, approve a request to approve the conveyance of indian Neck Ave and a public access easement from Anchor Reef Club at Branford, LLC to the Town of Branford,. Motion by Rep. Chapman to rerefe this item Motion passed.
20.To consider and if appropriate, correspondence from CeM regarding the reading of the full texts for bonding issues by legislative bodies. Motion by Rep. Lavorato to approve Motion passed 1 no vote Rep. Schwanfelder.
1 a.To consider and if appropriate, a proposed Ordinance Prohibiting the Acquisition of Certain Property. by Eminent Domain for Privately Held or Controlled Economic Development Purposes. Motion by Rep. Lavorato to rerefer this item Motion passed.
11.To consider and if appropriate, a request from the Finance Director for a new postage machine in the Town Hall:
From:4904-494-59-13 Contingency $(4,085)
To: 4104-404-41-02 Equipment Rental $ 135
4104-404-70-79 Equipment $ 3,950
Motion by Rep. Reiners and Rep. Chapman to approve Motion passed.
12.To consider and if appropriate, a request from the Finance Director for the following transfer to cover bond issuance costs:
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